Commission ‘to hear Nelson Park parents’

JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
A GROUP of Nelson Park parents have taken their complaints about the special school to Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission.
Julie Senko, Heather Bowdern and Rebecca Earney said they and three other parents would lodge formal complaints with the commission about treatment of students at the school.
The commission is conducting a “major research project” after complaints about disability discrimination in schools doubled in the past two years.
Acting commissioner Karen Toohey said the organisation had heard concerns from parents of children with disabilities, advocacy groups for the disabled and members of the commission’s disability reference group.
“Concerns included lack of equal access to education, discipline issues including suspension and exclusion, behaviour management strategies and access to appropriate transport services,” Ms Toohey said.
The Independent revealed last week that an internal Education Department regional office investigation of Nelson Park parents’ complaints found no “breaches” of policy.
A department spokesperson said the “constructive process” had found “areas for improvement, particularly in the way the school can engage with parents”.
The spokesperson said an “action plan” had been drawn up, including a review of the school’s student engagement and parent complaint policies.
Ms Bowdern said the parents were unhappy with the investigation.
“We were given no recourse if we were unhappy with the outcome, so we’ve decided to go to the commission.
“Regional office is covering up the shortcomings of Nelson Park school.
The parents said their issues included a lack of accountability, independence and transparency at the school and in its processes.
“The regional office has consistently refused to organise meetings between parents and the principal.”
Ms Toohey said the commission would survey students, parents and educators as part of the research project.
A statewide telephone call-in last week gathered stories from people directly affected, she said.