The SDSS Program supports schools by providing funding to approved organisations to deliver services to improve access to, and participation in, the curriculum and the educational outcomes for eligible school-aged students with disability.
The
SDSS Program Guidelines (PDF, 538KB) were established and provide the program’s purpose, objectives, terms and conditions. Funded organisations are required to maintain compliance with these guidelines throughout the funding period and in accordance with their Service Agreement.
Key reporting documents and required forms
Performance reports – due 1 August 2019
Performance reports – due 30 January 2020
Certificate of Expenditure – due 30 January 2020
Other documents
Certificate of Expenditure
A Certificate of Expenditure is required for each approved funding category each year. The Certificate of Expenditure must be provided by the dates detailed in your Service Agreement and in the SDSS Program Funding Payments and Reporting Schedule.
Audit report
An audit report in accordance with your Service Agreement must be provided by the dates detailed in your service agreement and in the SDSS Program Funding Payments and Reporting Schedule.
The audit report must identify each funding category separately in a similar format as the Certificate of Expenditure.
School Request for Support Form (SRSF)
It is a requirement of your Service Agreement to obtain a signed SRSF for each student which is valid for the current school year and then must be renewed.
Funded organisations may either utilise the form or incorporate all provisions contained within this request form into their own document for schools to request services under the SDSS Program.
Protocols for SDSS services
Protocols for delivering SDSS services to schools have been developed to assist SDSS organisations to establish and maintain effective professional engagements between SDSS organisations and schools including initial contact and appointments.
Service Agreement – variations
The department recognises that services and funding requirements may change over the funding period including changes to improve outcomes and ensure alignment with the SDSS Program objectives. The
Service Agreement variation request form (DOCX, 127KB) provides for a range of potential changes and must be completed and approved prior to commencing with any changes to your existing service agreement.
All completed service agreement variation requests will be assessed and the outcome will be advised in writing. We may seek to clarify the request or seek additional information.
Frequently asked questions
Student eligibility and survey
Student verification is a mandatory requirement for SDSS Funding and the SRSF will identify the status of each student’s verification.
Yes, your organisation can still issue a survey if it is required. The department will now survey schools in relation to the SDSS Program which will focus on effectiveness and opportunities for improvement.
Case studies
You are required to provide up to 5 case studies for each funding category. That is, if you are funded for one or more funding categories, the minimum number of case studies required for each funding category is one.
The minimum requirements for case studies is contained in the performance report templates. Organisations can determine the format of the remaining content as services vary widely.
School request for support form
Yes, your organisation can have an existing SDSS SRSF renewed by using a short renewal form with the original SRSF attached so long as the school Principal has approved in writing that the existing SRSF continues to be required for each eligible student for a further 12 months and the parent/guardian consent has been renewed.
This requirement is important to ensure:
- funding is directed to eligible students with the most need
- services are provided at the school's request and specific to the student's educational needs
- confirmation of continued student eligibility
- parent/guardian's consent remains current
- the changing needs of students are monitored closely
- funding accountability.
The SRSF is required to be renewed each calendar year for each student (no more than 12 months apart) however, this renewal will vary depending upon the timing of the original request and is not required to be each January unless this timing is more suitable for your organisation or the school making the request.
A new form is not required if goals change between each renewal period. It would be advisable to confirm any changes to support needs or goals in writing to ensure the school and your organisation's support team are aligned.
SDSS Program reporting
No, each funding category will require a separate performance report (except for August 2019) and separately identified expenditure in both the Expenditure Certificate and Audit Statement.
The annual Certificate of Expenditure and Audit Report both require the funding earned from interest and services to be reported and used on providing SDSS services.
Service agreement
Simply complete a service agreement variation request form which will be assessed and the outcome will be advised in writing. We may seek to clarify the request or seek additional information. In most cases, the outcome of your request will be finalised within one or two weeks depending on the extent of changes and time of year.
You are not required to seek a variation in these circumstances unless the change means one or more of the identified Professional Staff will not be engaged for an extended period (e.g. greater than 6 months). If this is the case, your organisation's capacity to deliver the agreed services will likely be impacted (e.g. Section 3.1) and therefore, would require a Variation Request Form to be submitted and approval obtained on this basis.
SDSS Program enquiries
Email:
sdss@qed.qld.gov.au
Telephone: (07) 3513 6743