Episode 257 (Professor Andrew Whitehouse)

In 2024, a landmark review of the School Education Act 1999 was undertaken in Western Australia. Why? Because our education laws — drafted over 25 years ago — haven’t kept pace with modern understandings of disability, inclusion, or the rights of children and families. This review, driven by an expert panel with deep experience in education, disability, and human rights, was driven by one clear question: Does our law support every child to access and thrive in school — or are there too many barriers to access and inclusion for students with disability? What followed was an in-depth consultation with families, clinicians, educators, and young people with lived experience, resulting in 15 recommendations that aim to remove barriers — from enrollment gatekeeping, to inconsistent support, to exclusionary discipline, replacing them with legal obligations for inclusion, voice, and access. For allied health clinicians, this matters. Because so often, we’re working with children whose ability to engage in school is shaped by systems, not just skills. Today, we unpack what this report means — and what could change if we get this right.