Dalwood Parents Action Group

Dalwood to be open for business by end of year

06 Aug, 2010 04:00 AM

A location in Dubbo has been selected for services to replace a Sydney-based school for rural children with learning difficulties.

The yet-to-be-publicly identified building will offer assessment and intervention previously available through residential programs at the Dalwood Assessment Centre and Palm Avenue School.

Controversy has surrounded moves to close the long-time Dalwood facility and an expert advisory panel set up by Education Minister Verity Firth has recommended a new tiered delivery approach with regional services in Dubbo and Wagga Wagga complementing

Sydney programs at Royal Far West and specialised facilities at Westmead for children requiring treatment for psychological reasons.

Ministerial spokeswoman Samantha Wills yesterday revealed the government was moving full steam ahead with the new Dubbo facility.

“A location has been organised but the final boxes need to be ticked before an announcement is made in the next few weeks,’’ Ms Wills said.

“The Dubbo centre will be staffed by a psychologist, Aboriginal liaison officer, speech pathologist and special education teacher. Staff will be recruited and transition from the old to new model will see services fully in place by the beginning of 2011.

“There is a possibility the Dubbo centre could intake students later this year.’’

Ms Wills said the Department of Education would oversee campuses operating under the banner of the NSW Centre of Effective Reading.

She said children would come to Dubbo for up to two days of assessment. Parents would be able to access funding through the Isolated Families Travel and Accommodation Assistance Scheme.

“Each child will have a personalised individual learning plan to take back to their school,’’ Ms Wills said.

“The new centres will develop online material for teachers so children can keep working on programs.’’

Parents who have campaigned against the Dalwood closure are still worried about a range of issues.

Coonabarabran-based Michelle Bolte feared the new remedial assessment and treatment model could fail without a well co-ordinated and well-funded approach.

Ms Wills yesterday discounted those concerns.

“The advisory council consulted with parents,’’ she said.

“The model adopted by the minister is what the parents said they wanted. It will provide regional access and shorter waiting times for a larger number of students.’’