Required Behaviour Support Before Suspension
Victorian government schools must follow formal behaviour support processes before a child is suspended or disciplined. These steps are required under the Student Engagement Policy, Students with Disability Policy, and Ministerial Order 1125.
Behaviour Support Plans (BSP)
A BSP is required when behaviour affects learning or safety. It must include triggers, supports, adjustments, strategies, risk factors, and clear responses.
Parents must be involved in developing or updating the BSP.
Safety / Behaviour Risk Assessments
Required for behaviours that pose a risk to the child or others. Schools must implement proactive risk-mitigation strategies, not just reactive responses.
Must be reviewed regularly or after any major incident.
Documented Adjustments
Schools must implement, track and document reasonable adjustments including: • environment changes • communication supports • sensory supports • workload/visual aids • modified instructions
Lack of adjustments makes a suspension decision unlawful.
What MUST Happen Before a Suspension Can Be Considered
Ministerial Order 1125 requires principals to consider context, triggers, disability impacts, and what supports were in place at the time.
Schools must show evidence of adjustments being implemented BEFORE a suspension is considered. This is a legal requirement for students with disability.
The school must consult with the SSG where applicable, and show attempts at collaborative planning.
No teacher or assistant principal can suspend a child. Only the principal — after completing all previous steps — may make this decision.
Required Documentation
- Incident report with factual description
- Updated Behaviour Support Plan
- Risk assessment (if applicable)
- Evidence of adjustments attempted
- Consultation notes from SSG or parent meeting
- Student voice considered where possible