Down South Therapy | School Services
Helping schools and students thrive together
Every student deserves the opportunity to participate, learn and thrive. Down South Therapy partners with schools across Western Australia to support students, educators and school communities through practical, collaborative allied health services.
Our multidisciplinary team works alongside school staff and families to identify barriers to participation, build skills and develop strategies that can be used in everyday school environments.
Working together
Flexible partnerships to suit your school
Every school has different needs, resources and priorities. We offer two main pathways for working together, depending on the support your school and students need.
Connected Schools
On-site therapy and practical collaboration
Our Connected Schools approach supports students who access therapy through eligible funding arrangements, with therapists attending school to provide services and collaborate with educators.
Depending on the arrangement and student numbers, support may include:
- Regular on-site therapy days.
- A school liaison therapist.
- Informal guidance for teachers and education assistants.
- Access to a teacher portal with practical resources.
- One free professional development session per discipline each year.
- Supervised university student placements, subject to availability.
This pathway can help connect a student's therapy goals with the environments and routines where they learn and participate.
Contracted School Services
Targeted support for your school's priorities
Schools can engage DST directly for tailored services beyond individual therapy arrangements. Together, we can identify priorities and develop a suitable plan.
Services may include:
- Individual or group therapy programs.
- Screening, observations and assessments.
- Classroom strategies and resource development.
- Staff coaching and professional development.
- Whole-class initiatives and school-wide planning.
- Support with transitions, participation and student access.
Engagement can range from a specific project or training session to ongoing support. Contracted school services do not require a lock-in contract.
Our disciplines
Allied health services that support participation
Our multidisciplinary team works with schools to support students' development, wellbeing and participation in everyday school activities. The most appropriate service depends on each student's needs and the goals identified with their family and school.
Occupational Therapy
Supporting students to participate in classroom routines, learning activities and everyday school tasks.
- Fine motor skills, handwriting and classroom tasks.
- Sensory processing and regulation strategies.
- Attention, organisation and executive functioning.
- Self-care and independence at school.
- Participation in learning, play and social activities.
Speech Pathology
Supporting communication and the skills students need to understand, express themselves and connect with others.
- Speech sounds and intelligibility.
- Understanding and using language.
- Social communication and interaction.
- Communication strategies and supports.
- Foundations for literacy and classroom learning.
Physiotherapy
Supporting movement skills and physical participation across the school day.
- Gross motor skills, balance and coordination.
- Posture and functional movement.
- Participation in playground activities, PE and sport.
- Movement goals relevant to school routines and access.
Psychology
Supporting emotional wellbeing, behaviour, relationships and participation in the school environment.
- Emotional regulation and coping strategies.
- Anxiety and other wellbeing concerns.
- Relationships and social-emotional skills.
- Understanding individual needs and planning support.
- Assessment and diagnostic support where appropriate.
Beyond individual therapy
More ways we can support your school
Kindergarten Screening
Our Kindergarten Screening Program can help schools identify areas where a child may benefit from further support.
Screening may include Occupational Therapy and Speech Pathology, with Physiotherapy screening available on request. Depending on the program, schools may receive reports, family information sheets, a collated overview of screening outcomes and follow-up information sessions.
Screening identifies areas for consideration and possible follow-up. It is not a comprehensive assessment or diagnosis.
Professional Development
We provide professional development tailored to your school community. Sessions can be designed for teachers, education assistants, school leaders and, where appropriate, families.
Topics and format can be discussed with your school so the training is relevant to your students, staff and priorities.
Classroom Strategies and Resources
We can work with school staff to identify practical adjustments and strategies that support student participation. Depending on your school's needs, this may include classroom observations, visual supports, sensory-environment considerations, social stories, individual or group programs, staff coaching and transition planning.
University Student Placements
Where placements are available, DST may provide supervised learning opportunities for final-year students in Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology and Physiotherapy. Placement opportunities depend on service capacity and suitability.
Resources for schools
Preparing for Thriving Kids
Practical resources to support school readiness
Thriving Kids presents an opportunity for schools to consider how their existing systems, partnerships and support approaches can respond to children's developmental needs.
Down South Therapy is developing resources to help schools explore readiness and consider practical next steps for their school community. Visit our portal to access the readiness information and resources available.
A collaborative approach
Support that starts with listening
Every school community is different. We work with you to understand your priorities, discuss the support that may be appropriate and develop an approach that fits your students, staff and school environment.
Whether you are exploring on-site therapy, a screening program, staff professional development or a broader school initiative, we welcome a conversation about what your school needs.
Get in touch
Let's talk about your school
Interested in working with Down South Therapy? Contact our team to discuss your school's needs and explore the options available.
Phone: 0404 698 218
Email: info@downsouththerapy.com.au