Early entry into preschool

Children in care are eligible to attend a government preschool for 15 hours per week after their 3^rd birthday. Enrolments in a government preschool can occur at any time of the year.

Children in care may start school when they reach the age of eligibility for enrolment at a government school, or continue at preschool until they are aged 6.

DCP will facilitate the preschool enrolment process. For more information, speak to the child’s DCP caseworker.

Prioritised enrolment

Children and young people in care receive prioritised preschool and school enrolments for South Australian government schools. This includes:

• a facilitated enrolment process with Student Support Services to ensure that children and young people in care receive the necessary support to meet their learning needs
• where possible, automatic entry of a child or young person in care to their nominated South Australian government school or preschool of choice, at any point of their education and regardless of school zone or location.

All school enrolments are initiated by DCP. For more information, speak to the child or young person’s DCP caseworker.

One Plan

The One Plan is a personalised learning plan that contains information to support a child’s inclusion and achievement in preschool and school. All children and young people in care attending a government preschool or school are expected to have a One Plan.

The child’s school will prepare a One Plan following enrolment. The One Plan is developed in partnership with the child’s teacher, carer, caseworker, and any other relevant people. The child or young person will usually be involved in the planning also.

The One Plan replaces a range of different education and learning plans, such as the Individual Education Plan (IEP), and brings them together in one document.

The child’s school will facilitate the One Plan process together with DCP. For more information, speak to the child or young person’s DCP caseworker.

Your input into the development of the child or young person’s One Plan is invaluable. For more information about the One Plan and your role, please see the One Plan DCP carer factsheet (PDF, 633.6 KB).

School engagement program

The School Engagement Program works with young people in care from primary school to 17 years, who are at most risk of disengaging from education.

The program brings together the young person, carer, caseworker, school staff and other professionals to review their One Plan and source suitable supports and interventions to support the young person to remain engaged in education.

Referrals to the school engagement program are made by DCP. For more information, speak to the child or young person’s DCP caseworker.

Tutoring

Children and young people in care may be eligible for tutoring through the School Engagement Program.

For children and young people with a disability, tutoring services are offered through the Out-of-home Care Tutoring Program. These programs provide short-term supports as a supplement to mainstream education.

DCP can make a referral to access tutoring services. For more information, speak to the child or young person’s DCP caseworker.

Mentoring

The Mentor Program provides a one-on-one service for children and young people in care from primary school aged to 17 years.

The Mentor Program allows children and young people to spend time at their school with a mentor offering support and guidance, and can encourage successful participation in school.

Referrals for mentoring are made by DCP. For more information, speak to the child or young person’s DCP caseworker.

Disability support

Children and young people with a disability can receive extra support from their preschool or school through the Inclusive Education Support Program (IESP).

The eligibility criteria has been developed to focus on a child’s needs in the preschool or school environment rather than their disability diagnosis. This approach recognises all disabilities and learning difficulties, including mental health, trauma and complex behaviours.

Applications for IESP funding are facilitated by the child or young person’s school together with DCP. For more information, speak to the child or young person’s DCP caseworker.

School card

The School Card scheme offers financial assistance with school fees (materials and service charges) for students attending South Australian government schools.

All children and young people in care are eligible for the School Card. This process occurs automatically, and does not require an application to be completed.

Education grant

Approved family-based carers receive regular support payments to help cover the day to day costs of caring for a child or young person. The carer payment includes an Education Grant paid at the beginning of each school term to assist with costs like preschool and school fees not covered by the School Card, stationary, uniforms and excursions.

The DCP Carer Payments Team facilitates this process. More information is available on the carer support payments page.

Waiver of course fees

Young people who are, or who have been in care and are aged 16 years and over are eligible to have their fees waivered for courses funded through the Government of South Australia’s Subsidised Training Initiative. This applies to any approved Registered Training Organisation (RTO), including TAFE SA, where they have met course entry requirements.

Young people with a care experience are also automatically eligible to receive individual case management support through the TAFE SA Learning Support Services.

While in care, DCP can assist the young person to apply for a course fee waiver. For more information, speak to the young person’s DCP caseworker.

Dame Roma Mitchell Trust Fund

Children and young people who are, and who have been in care may be eligible to receive a Dame Roma Mitchell Grant.

There are three categories of grants, one of which supports young people to re-engage in learning or earning to successfully achieve educational or vocational outcomes.

While in care, DCP can assist the young person to apply for the Dame Roma Mitchell Grant. For more information, speak to the young person’s DCP caseworker.

Some children and young people in care attend a non-government school. Each of these schools have their own arrangements in place for education planning, learning support and financial assistance for children and young people in care.

DCP facilitates non-government school enrolments. If this applies to the child or young person in your care, please speak to the child or young person’s DCP caseworker.

A strong and supportive education can open doors for children and young people in care. For some, attending a non‑government school may best support their learning needs, talents and aspirations.

The Department for Child Protection (DCP) partners with Catholic Education South Australia (CESA) and a number of independent schools to provide full‑fee scholarships with additional educational supports. These scholarships assist children and young people in care to attend participating schools at no cost to the carer, with support for items such as uniforms, textbooks, excursions and extracurricular activities.

For information about eligibility, available scholarships and how to nominate, please speak with your DCP case worker.

Participating Schools

SEDA College SA

SEDA College SA is an independent senior secondary college offering scholarships for students commencing Year 11. Programs include a trade‑level SACE, VET qualifications, industry mentoring and opportunities for traineeships within the sporting industry. Mid‑year intake may be available.

Pedare Christian College

Pedare Christian College in Golden Grove offers one scholarship each year. Scholarships may commence at any year level, subject to availability. Pedare provides a wide range of specialist subjects that may support the interests and talents of children and young people in care.

Golden Grove Lutheran Primary School

Golden Grove Lutheran Primary School in Wynn Vale offers financial assistance for an Aboriginal child in care. Scholarships may commence in any primary year level, subject to availability. The school provides small class sizes and classroom support through teacher aides. Mid‑year intake may be available.

Good Shepherd Lutheran School - Angaston

Good Shepherd Lutheran School is a primary school in the Barossa Valley and offers five scholarships for children in care. Scholarships may commence at any year level, subject to availability. The school features a flexible learning environment and a dedicated nature and learning space that supports outdoor creative play.

St Peter’s Woodlands Grammar School

St Peter’s Woodlands is a co‑educational Anglican early learning and primary school located in Glenelg. The school offers four scholarships each year for children in care. Scholarships may commence in any year level and continue until the child completes Year 6. St Peter’s Woodlands promotes an inclusive and nurturing learning experience.

Catholic Education South Australia

Through a statewide partnership, DCP and CESA provide scholarships for children and young people in care — including those under long‑term guardianship — to attend Catholic schools across South Australia. For more information read the DCP School Scholarships program factsheet (PDF, 204.9 KB).

A CESA scholarship includes:

• full tuition
• uniforms
• textbooks and learning materials
• excursions and camps
• extracurricular activities (specific inclusions vary by school)

Currently, more than 470 children and young people in care attend a CESA primary or secondary school across South Australia.

Eligibility for CESA Scholarships

To be eligible, a child or young person must:

• not be currently enrolled in a Catholic school, and
• be under one of the following orders:
  • Guardianship of the Chief Executive to 18 years, or
  • Guardianship of a Long-Term Guardian - specified person to 18 years

How to Nominate

• For Long Term Guardian (Specified Person) children and young people
  Long‑term guardians may complete and submit the nomination form (DOCX, 261.5 KB) directly to the DCP LTG (SP) Assessment or Case Management Team.
• For all other children and young people in care
  Speak with your DCP case worker to discuss your interest in a CESA scholarship and the nomination process.