⭐ 1C — What the School Must Provide Same Day

Under Ministerial Order 1125, parents must receive factual information, documentation, and safety details on the same day the school first notifies them. If the school does not provide these items, the suspension process is non-compliant.

1. Factual Description of the Incident

Parents are entitled to the precise factual account of what happened — not interpretations, feelings, or assumptions.

  • What occurred, step-by-step
  • Who witnessed or supervised
  • Where the incident took place
  • What supports or adjustments were used at the time
Request Script:
“Can you please provide the factual incident description, including supervision and adjustments that were in place?”

2. List of Adjustments Provided That Day

For students with disability, the school must show the adjustments they used before considering suspension.

  • Sensory, communication, and environmental supports
  • Modified instructions or workload
  • Supervision changes
  • De-escalation strategies used
“Can you please confirm which adjustments were implemented today according to the Student with Disability policy?”

3. Safety and Supervision Information

Parents are entitled to know how their child was supported and supervised during and after the incident.

  • Who supervised during/after the incident
  • Any injuries or wellbeing concerns
  • Support or de-escalation used
  • Whether the child remained supervised while waiting for parents
“Can you please confirm the supervision and safety supports used from the time of the incident until now?”

4. Required Same-Day Documents

Schools must give these items on the same day the parent is notified:

  • Incident report (factual)
  • Any injury report
  • Behaviour Support Plan (if updated)
  • Risk Assessment (if triggered)
  • Summary of adjustments applied
  • Supervision details

5. If the School Does Not Provide Documents

Withholding information puts the school out of compliance.

“Please send me the required same-day documentation so I can understand the incident and the supports in place. These items are required under MO1125 and the Students with Disability policy.”
Continue to 1D — If the Child Was Sent Home Illegally →

Required Documentation Parents Can Request

Victorian parents are legally entitled to copies of all documents used to inform a suspension decision. These records help ensure the process is fair, accurate and compliant with Ministerial Order 1125 and Department of Education policy.

Incident Report

A factual description of the incident, including what occurred, where, who responded, and any witnessed details. Required before any disciplinary decision is made.

Behaviour Support Plan (BSP)

The current BSP and any recent updates. Schools must show how supports, strategies and adjustments were being implemented before the incident.

Risk Assessment

Required when behaviour involves safety concerns. This assessment must outline risks, preventative strategies and staff actions.

Record of Adjustments

A documented list of reasonable adjustments trialled, implemented, or reviewed before the suspension was considered. Lack of adjustments may invalidate the decision.

SSG / Meeting Notes

Notes, minutes or summary records from Student Support Group meetings or problem-solving meetings held before or after the incident.

Communication Records

Emails, letters or written communication relating to the incident, supports, adjustments or behaviour planning decisions.

Timeline of Events

You may request a timeline or provide your own. Regions and DET frequently require a clearly documented sequence of events when reviewing a concern.

Principal’s Suspension Record

The record the principal must complete under MO1125, showing investigation steps, adjustments reviewed, and the rationale for the decision.

When to Escalate Your Concern

If required documents are not provided, processes are unclear, or safety and inclusion concerns remain unresolved, parents may escalate through the Department’s official pathways. These steps mirror the Victorian Department of Education’s escalation structure.

1

School Level

Raise your concern with the teacher, Assistant Principal or Principal. Request the required documents in writing and ask for a meeting if needed.

2

SEIL (Senior Education Improvement Leader)

If the school cannot resolve the issue, you may contact the SEIL. They oversee the principal and ensure policy obligations have been met.

3

Regional Office

Regions address ongoing, serious or unresolved concerns including safety, disability adjustments, procedural fairness and behavioural planning.