Three-and-a-half years since it was launched, the Hannah’s House In-School Support Program is going strong – and helping students with complex needs attend both mainstream schools and Education Support Schools and Centres.

“It’s just so wonderful to watch the children we care for at school 1-on-1 flourish,” Hannah’s House Complex Care Coordinator (Schools) and registered nurse Nikki Bartlett explains.

“Our nurses and trained support workers become a critical part of the classroom and a powerful support, paving the way for these students to be wholly accepted by their peers and form meaningful friendships.

“Our Program also makes it possible for these children to participate in most, if not all, school activities, like assemblies, Book Week parades and even swimming lessons.

 “These experiences are simply normal for other kids, but often aren’t possible for kids with complex needs, who very often end up staying home rather than attending school.”

Helping Health & Wellbeing

A mother-of-two herself, Nikki says with in-school support, students’ overall health and wellbeing can improve.

“The mental health aspect of being able to attend school with their peers is wonderful for these kids, as is the opportunity to learn and grow and try new things,” she states.

“Additionally, these children often experience better health due to the nurse or specially trained support worker being with them at school, monitoring their condition and intervening when needed, often earlier than otherwise might have been possible.”

The benefits also extend beyond the student themselves.

“The health and wellbeing of their parents and siblings frequently improve, too,” shares Nikki.

“With their child safely taken care of at school, it opens up the possibility of mum or dad going back to work to help provide for their family or taking care of their other children and their homes.”

Launching the Program

Nikki helped launch the Hannah’s House In-School Support Program in 2023, having joined the not-for-profit organisation in 2020 as a Clinical Educator.

“In that role, I would go to schools to induct our new staff and saw the need for a formal program to look after students with complex needs, so they could safely attend school with tailored care plans and nursing support by their side all day, every day,” she explains.

“I took the idea to the Hannah’s House team and they saw the need, so I was able to devise the Program from the ground up.”

An Ultimate Dream Job

From helping find and train the in-school team to rostering – including covering any shifts that need filling – as well as liaising with schools and parents and conducting student health assessments, Nikki’s current role is diverse.

“I love working with complex care needs and children, and this role allows me to blend both into one,” she says.

 “I like to say that I created my ultimate dream job!”

Nikki now also works closely with Burbridge School – where her passion for this line of work became clear as a teenager.

“When I was in Year 10 at high school, I did work experience as an Occupational Therapy assistant at Burbridge and I just loved it; I still have the letters the students wrote me,” she says.

“It wasn’t called Burbridge then but it’s the same building I visit now for Hannah’s House, which is incredible really.”

Find out more about our In-School Support Program, here.