Management of Eating and Drinking Support in ACT Public Schools Policy

1. What is this policy about?
   1. This policy sets out the requirements of schools in supporting students who need assistance or supervision with the oral intake of food and/or drink. The policy does not cover the management of invasive health care procedures such as feeding or hydrating via a tube.
2. Policy Statement
   1. ACT public schools support students who require assistance with the oral intake of food and/or drink.
   2. Some students are not able to take food or drink orally or maintain an adequate volume of intake and may require nutrition via a tube. Tube feeding is an invasive health care procedure not covered by this policy.
   3. Eating and Drinking Plans, developed in consultation with parents and where appropriate, health professionals, are required in all cases where eating and drinking support is provided.
3. Who does this policy apply to?
   1. This policy applies to all staff in ACT public schools.
4. Context
   1. Some students attending ACT public schools need assistance with the oral intake of food and/or drink. Others need support to enable them to manage the volume of intake necessary for their health and well being.
   2. Student safety and well-being is a priority.
5. Responsibilities
   1. The school principal: is responsible for implementing this policy.
   2. School staff: are responsible for using Eating and Drinking Plans to inform the level and type of support they provide to students.
   3. The Education and Training Directorate: works with ACT public schools to facilitate access to appropriate training in specialised health procedures for staff members when required.
   4. Policy Owner: The Director, Student Engagement is responsible for this policy.
6. Monitoring and Review
   1. The Policy Owner monitors the policy. This includes an annual scan of operation and review. A full review of the policy will be conducted within a three year period.
7. Contact
   1. For support contact the Student Engagement Branch on (02) 6205 6925 or email ETDStudentWellbeing@act.gov.au.
8. Complaints
   1. Any concerns about the application of this procedure or the procedure itself, should be raised with:
      • the school principal in the first instance;
      • the Directorate’s Liaison Unit on (02) 6205 5429.
      • online at https://www.education.act.gov.au/about-us/contact_us.
      • see also the Complaints Policy on the Directorate’s website.
9. References
   1. Definitions
      • A health professional: may include a speech pathologist, physician, dietician or nurse working within the community or hospital health services.
      • A parent: is a person having parental responsibility for a child.
   2. Legislation
      • The Education Act 2004 provides for the operation and governance of ACT public schools.
      • The Discrimination Act 1991 aims to eliminate as far as possible discrimination in a range of areas including education.
      • The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cwlth) aims to eliminate as far as possible, discrimination on the grounds of disability.
      • The Disability Standards for Education 2005 (Cwlth) sets out the obligations of education providers in relation to people with disability.
      • The Human Rights Act 2004 sets out a number of rights including the right to recognition and equality before the law.
   3. Implementation Documents
      • Management of Eating and Drinking Support in ACT Public Schools Procedures
   4. Related Policies and Information
      • Health and Safety Policy - First Aid
      • Students with a Disability - Meeting their Educational Needs Policy
      • Administration of Prescribed Medication, Catheters and Injections to Students Policy

Management of Eating and Drinking Support in ACT Public Schools Policy: MOEADS201002 is the unique identifier of this document. It is the responsibility of the user to verify that this is the current and complete version of the document, available on the Directorate’s website at http://www.education.act.gov.au/publications_and_policies/school_and_corporate_policies/A-Z.