JOY Burch and Professor Anthony Shaddock have announced an Expert Panel public consultation into policy and practices in the school system that are designed to meet the needs of children with complex needs.

The Expert Panel’s review is a broad look at the policy framework and practices that support schools in responding to students with complex needs and challenging behaviours.

The Panel will also consider best-practice from other jurisdictions and research-informed practices.

“In April 2015 I established an Expert Panel to review how schools respond to students with complex needs and challenging behaviour in the ACT, including the use of withdrawal spaces,” Joy said.

“This review is most importantly about improving the outcomes for our students with complex needs across the wider school network.”

Professor Shaddock said the Panel would like to hear from the community – and specifically from parents, carers, students, teachers and professionals – about their experiences.

“I would like to hear the community’s experiences with this issue, so that we can provide the government with recommendations to improve current policy and practice in our schools.”

Emeritus Professor Anthony Shaddock is chairing the Expert Panel, and will work alongside paediatrician Dr Sue Packer and Mr Alasdair Roy, Children and Young People Commissioner for the ACT Human Rights Commission.

The community are invited to join the conversation via timetotalk.act.gov.au and can make submissions via expert.panel@act.gov.au