Criteria for support

The Health Education Interface (HEI) supports children with a disability and complex emotional health needs to participate in education.

The child or young person must meet all of the following criteria:

• be enrolled in a preschool or school at the time of referral
• have a disability
• have complex emotional health needs and behaviours of concern that put their social and emotional wellbeing at risk – this includes disengagement from education, being at risk of disengagement, or showing behaviours that put themselves or others at risk

HEI can also help where the interface between emotional development, behaviour, physical and mental health needs are unclear and further investigation is required.  

How to access HEI

Referrals for children and students attending government schools or preschools are made by the Student Support Services Team Manager via the Complex Case Review Panel.

For more information, email education.complexcasereviewpanel@sa.gov.au.

Catholic and independent schools can refer directly to HEI.

See the HEI fact sheet (PDF 273 KB) for more information about the program.

What happens next?

A HEI nurse consultant will meet with the referring preschool or school, Student Support Services, parent or guardian, and the child or young person, to better understand the individual needs and to establish goals. This may also involve:

• observation of the child or young person in the education setting
• consultation with members of the multidisciplinary HEI team
• consultation with other health professionals.

HEI support and interventions may include:

• observations and informal assessments to develop a summary of the child or young person’s unique profile
• recommendation of strategies and interventions to support agreed goals
• staff training and coaching as required
• provision of information about health and disability to parents or carers
• advocacy and referral services to meet disability and other needs.