SP in Schools project 2017 DRAFT 1 low res

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Speech Pathology Australia: Speech Pathology in Schools Project 37
The different needs of rural and regional schools
Service delivery within remote, rural and regional
areas of Australia places specific demands on
the speech pathology profession. At present,
there is an increased obligation on you, the
speech pathologist to provide the most effective
service possible, in the most efficient and
cost-effective manner in order to achieve a
greater throughput of clients. If you run a private
practice, you may have a considerable waiting
list and already be unable to see as many clients
as you wish.
An increased focus on evidence-based practice
challenges the profession to use intervention
methods which have been shown to be both
effective and efficacious.
Telepractice considerations
Telepractice has the same delivery but there
are technical and privacy considerations. Think
about bandwidth and the platform used as
schools will have specific requirements and
are not likely to be able to use all platforms.
Consider collaborating with staff, and staff
requirements for provision of support through
telepractice.
Working with other speech pathologists
(dual servicing)
Dual servicing in speech pathology occurs
when a client accesses speech pathology
services from two or more speech pathologists,
frequently from different organisations or
services, at the same time.
Speech Pathology Australia has determined
that there may be some occasions where
dual servicing in speech pathology would not
achieve positive outcomes for a child or young
person and thus would not be recommended.
All speech pathologists involved in the dual
servicing arrangement must be cognisant of the
fact that they are equally ethically responsible
for ensuring that they work cooperatively and
collaboratively and that the service they provide
is appropriate, evidence based and consistent
with the client’s need.
When dual servicing occurs it will require careful
planning and coordination in order to maximise
outcomes and not compromise the benefit to
the client. In particular, if a client requests that an
external speech pathologist provide a service in
a school, you, the speech pathologist must:
• gain permission to see the client from the
person responsible (for example, the parent
and school principal);
• familiarise yourself with any policies and
procedures that the school may have about
external providers coming into that facility;
and
• negotiate the service agreement in
consultation with the principal and any other
professionals involved.
Each of the speech pathologists involved in the
dual servicing arrangement must contribute
to the development of the client’s speech
pathology service plan. From the outset,
clear lines of communication will need to be
established between all those involved in the
dual servicing arrangement.
The two, or more, speech pathologists in
consultation with the client, caregiver (if
applicable), and any other professionals involved
will need to develop a speech pathology service
plan which includes:
• the overall goals to be worked on;
• a breakdown of the goals to be worked on
by each speech pathologist;
• specific roles and responsibilities for each
speech pathologist;