Allied Health Partnerships (AHP) is celebrating 40 years of partnering with schools throughout Australia, ensuring that rural NSW schools are not missing out! Sue Wilks, CEO of AHP, has been supporting rural and remote communities for more than 20 years.
AHP provides school-based therapies, including Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Music Therapy, Counselling, and more. In rural communities, accessing specialised support services like Occupational Therapy (OT) and Speech Pathology can be challenging. Schools often struggle to meet the diverse needs of their students due to the scarcity of allied health professionals in these areas. However, the innovative partnership model provided by AHP is transforming how rural schools deliver essential services to their students.
AHP and Dubbo West Public School (located in Dubbo, Central West NSW) have seen firsthand the significant benefits of teletherapy in rural NSW schools. Teletherapy has emerged as a valuable solution for overcoming geographical and logistical challenges, providing students with access to essential therapy services that might otherwise be unavailable.
Jody Hall, Principal of Dubbo West Public School, shared her perspective:
“Despite our town being the ‘hub’ of the Central West, allied health services are not as accessible as the need requires. With this in mind, Dubbo West Public School actively sought outside support to provide our vulnerable students with access to much-needed speech and occupational therapy services. We were thrilled to receive an email in late 2023 offering an opportunity to engage with the telehealth screening and weekly lessons for all Pre-schoolers and targeted K-6 students.”
Funding is always a concern for schools and is at the forefront of all decisions being made. Jody Hall and her Learning Support Team (LST) determined that investing in allied health services was a priority:
“We decided this was an area where our money was truly going to be an investment into our students’ learning potential.”
Investment in these services not only benefits students and allows them to build their skills, but the School Learning Support Officers (SLSOs) and teachers involved also grow and develop their teaching pedagogy. The involvement of an SLSO or teacher in each teletherapy session plays a pivotal role in the success of these interventions. Their presence is invaluable for effective behaviour management and providing additional support for students who may require extra assistance. It also allows school staff to learn the skills and techniques being used by the therapists, enabling them to replicate and apply these strategies in the classroom.
This approach ensures consistency for the students receiving therapy and supports other students as well. AHP clinicians work closely with SLSOs and teachers to design tailored visuals and activities that address each student’s current goals. These resources are strategically crafted to be used throughout the week, ensuring that students continue to receive support and practice key skills consistently. This enhances goal progression by creating multiple opportunities for students to engage with their areas of need in a variety of contexts. AHP staff are passionate about working with rural communities. Schools as small as seven students have opened their computers ready for therapy, as well as larger rural schools with over 400 students.
Clinicians, Isabella (AHP Speech Pathologist) and Lily (AHP Occupational Therapist) find it extremely rewarding to help students who would otherwise not have access to such services: “By providing our services, we have made a significant difference in these students’ lives. Helping them has ensured they can improve their participation at school, home, and in their communities with the skills they are learning in these sessions.”
Services delivered with the level of knowledge and passion AHP provides are bound to result in successful outcomes. Dubbo West Public School reported
“The staff from Allied Partnerships have been extremely easy to work alongside and the pre and post testing results have been outstanding. The 2024 cohort of Pre-schoolers have shown significant growth with their speech, fine/gross motor skills and their involvement in the weekly lessons are a testament to their increased development across these areas.”
The teachers are not the only people seeing the benefits of the program, the Dubbo West Community are embracing the services from AHP as well. Jody Hall explained “During Personalised Learning Pathway meetings, parents shared their appreciation for this wonderful program and the improvement they have seen in their child/ren.”
Allied Health Partnerships are continuing to support rural and remote schools in 2025. Dubbo West Public School have already signed on to continue their partnership with AHP. Jody Hall reporting:
“As a reflection of the success that our students have demonstrated, our school will continue to invest in the program in 2025. This news was shared recently at a Parent Information session for Transition, and our parents were excited to hear that their children can access these allied health therapies over the next twelve months.”
Allied Health Partnerships also provide private individual therapy sessions, which can be funded through the NDIS, subsidised through private health insurance, Medicare, or paid for by parents. These sessions have proven highly effective in schools, where funding a comprehensive school program is not viable. When sessions are conducted during school hours, an SLSO is assigned to support the child’s therapy, enhancing the SLSO’s skills in assisting the student throughout the school day. If sessions are scheduled before or after school, parents are empowered to share the knowledge gained with the school. Some schools have opted for an assessment block, funded by the school, to aide families in applying for the NDIS to help access this individual model of support.
Allied Health Partnerships are breaking down barriers for rural schools and their communities by providing students with opportunities to develop critical skills and achieve their full potential. With many schools investing in programs like those offered by AHP, schools can bridge the gap in access to essential services and empower their students to thrive both academically and socially.
If your school is looking to make a meaningful impact on your students’ development, consider joining this growing network of success. Together, we can ensure that every child, regardless of location, has the support they need to succeed. Contact Katrina Davies on (02) 8105 0546 or email Sue and Katrina at Schools@AHPartnerships.com.au.