EDUGUIDE 3B — ESCALATION

SEIL & Region Escalation Guide

A structured, calm pathway for escalating concerns to the SEIL or Regional Office when school-level processes have stalled, failed, or become unsafe.

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When to Contact the SEIL or Regional Office

Escalation isn't about conflict — it’s about restoring safety, clarity and lawful process. The SEIL or regional office becomes appropriate when:

  • school processes are not following policy or procedural fairness
  • safety, wellbeing or learning risks are not being addressed
  • communication has broken down or become adversarial
  • critical decisions (suspension, risk plans, adjustments) appear unreasonable
  • concerns have been raised multiple times without clear response or action

SEIL & Region Escalation Steps

1. Gather Your Evidence

Before escalating, gather the key documents that show what has happened so far.

  • meeting notes
  • emails or communication records
  • current plans (IEP, behaviour support, risk)
  • your Procedural Fairness Test results
  • your 2E Adjustment Audit outcomes

This keeps the escalation factual, calm, and grounded in evidence.

2. Identify What’s Missing

Escalation is strongest when you name the gap.

  • missing adjustments
  • inconsistent implementation
  • environmental barriers not addressed
  • unclear or unsafe decisions
  • lack of clear reasons or documentation
  • unresolved risk or wellbeing concerns

Your “ask” becomes clearer once the gap is identified.

3. Request SEIL or Regional Support

Your escalation request should be short, structured and neutral.

Suggested structure:

  • Issue: what’s happening and why it's a concern
  • Impact: how it affects learning, safety or wellbeing
  • Attempts: what you've already tried at the school level
  • Evidence: key documents or steps completed
  • Request: the action you need (review, meeting, oversight, clarification)

Put your request in writing and keep it concise.

4. Attend the SEIL/Regional Meeting

SEIL or regional staff are usually aiming to restore process, safety and reasonable decision-making.

  • bring one support person if needed
  • bring your evidence bundle
  • stick to documented concerns only
  • ask for clear next steps and timelines

After the meeting, request the agreed actions in writing.

5. Monitor & Follow Up

Escalation doesn’t end at the meeting — consistency matters.

  • check that the agreed actions occur
  • record examples of improvements or continued issues
  • use polite follow-ups every 7–14 days if needed

If action stalls, you can request a secondary review or higher-level intervention.

Escalation Request Scripts (Copy & Adapt)

1. Requesting SEIL oversight

Subject: Request for SEIL Support — [Student Name] Dear [SEIL Name], I am writing to request support with the following concern: [Issue], which is having an impact on [learning/safety/wellbeing]. We have already attempted the following steps: [List what has occurred] I have attached: • Procedural Fairness Test • 2E Adjustment Audit • key communication and documents I am requesting assistance with: [review / meeting / clarification / oversight] Thank you for your help and guidance. Kind regards, [Your Name]

2. Requesting Regional involvement

Subject: Request for Regional Support — Escalated Concern Dear [Regional Contact], I am escalating a concern regarding [issue] that has remained unresolved despite school-level and SEIL-level processes. Key concerns include: [dot points of safety/learning/procedural issues] Attempts so far: [brief timeline] I am requesting assistance to restore a safe, reasonable and policy-aligned pathway forward, including: [review / meeting / intervention / oversight] Supporting documents are attached. Thank you for your time. [Your Name]

Ready for the next step?

Next, learn how to lodge structured complaints and appeals under the Department’s official review pathway.

Continue to 3C — DET Complaints & Appeals →