Joy Burch MLA

MINISTER FOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING

MINISTER FOR POLICE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES
MINISTER FOR DISABILITY
MINISTER FOR RACING AND GAMING
MINISTER FOR THE ARTS

MEMBER FOR BRINDABELLA

MEDIA

RELEASE
8 April 2015

Expert Panel to review support for students

An Expert Panel is being convened to review how schools respond to students with complex needs and
challenging behaviour in the ACT, including the use of withdrawal spaces, Minister for Education and Training
Joy Burch announced today.
The Expert Panels review is being conducted in conjunction with an investigation currently being undertaken
into how an inappropriate and unacceptable withdrawal space was installed in an ACT public school on 10
March 2015. The structure was removed on 27 March.
The investigation is already underway into how this space came to be installed, who was involved, and the
response of the Education and Training Directorate, Ms Burch said.
The investigation is being conducted by an independent investigator sourced by Shared Services. A report from
the investigation is expected within weeks.
The Expert Panels review will be a broader look at the policy framework and practices that support schools in
responding to students with complex needs and challenging behaviours.
The Expert Panel will be chaired by Emeritus Professor Anthony Shaddock. Dr Sue Packer, together with Alistair
Roy, Children and Young People Commissioner for the ACT Human Rights Commission, have agreed to be panel
members.
The Expert Panel will invite community input. They will also consider best-practice from other jurisdictions. I
expect the Panel to report to me within six months, after which I will seek to establish a Select Committee to
review its recommendations. I expect these recommendations to be dealt with by the Assembly by the end of
this calendar year.
This is a matter that is above party politics. I know we have all been shocked by this incident, and our priority is
to make sure students, staff, and families are confident in the supports provided in our ACT schools.
Statement Ends
Media Contact:

Brenton Sloane

Ph: 6205 7402

ACT Legislative Assembly

Phone: (02) 6205 0020
@JoyBurchMLA

Email: BURCH@act.gov.au
www.facebook.com/joyburchmla

Mob: 0431 252 698

brenton.sloane@act.gov.au