SHANE Rattenbury has announced that Professor Tony Shaddock has been appointed to a newly created role as a Strategic Advisor to the Government on the Implementation of Schools for All.

“I have created a role that will allow Professor Shaddock to be more engaged with the development of programs and policies within the Directorate to ensure that the recommendations within the report are implemented in a way that delivers the best outcomes in schools,” Shane said.

“We came to the view that would be more beneficial for Professor Shaddock to be involved in the practical implementation of the recommendations from Schools for All, rather than being on the Oversight Group, which performs more of an oversight and accountability function.

“Professor Shaddock has provided invaluable expertise and advice to Government through the Schools for All report and I am pleased that we can now further utilise his expertise in a way that will genuinely help deliver Schools for All at the program implementation level.

“The Oversight Group plays an important audit function in ensuring the Government remains accountable for all 50 recommendations that were agreed to within Schools for All.

“Professor Shaddock’s shift to the new role has meant that a new appointment has been made to the Oversight Group, and I am pleased to announce that Mr Ian Claridge has accepted that appointment.

“Mr Claridge has 37 years experience in education and was a consultant to the Expert Panel. Prior to retirement he was responsible for student wellbeing and health support for over 1500 Victorian schools and in 2015 was engaged by the Victorian Education Department to undertake a strategic analysis of issues arising from the Review of the Program for Students with Disabilities.

“There is a great deal of public interest around the implementation of recommendations within Schools for All, and I am keen for the community to be fully informed and engaged on what progress has been made. As such, I intend to publish regular quarterly reports from the Oversight Group.

“The full Schools for All program is to be implemented over three years and the first Oversight Group report is clearly indicative of the early stages of the project. There is still a long way to go in implementing all 50 recommendations, but the report outlines the strong start to the implementation.

“I am pleased that progress has been made in a number of key areas, including updates to key policies, extra Disability Education Partners which has built capacity within Student Engagement Teams, and a streamlined referral process for assessment of students with complex needs.

“I’m pleased to have the additional expertise on board through Mr Claridge’s appointment to the Oversight Group, and believe that we will benefit further from the role created for Professor Shaddock,” Mr Rattenbury concluded.