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Education consultants.
Do you notice that things are not going well at school with your child? Or is it just not possible to arrange suitable support with the school? Then you can contact an education consultant. But what exactly does such a consultant do? And when are they needed?
What does an education consultant do?
An education consultant is an independent expert who works for Stichting Onderwijsconsulenten. They think along when education for a child breaks down. They are independent and help with a good cooperation between parents, the partnership tailored education or school.
They help for example with:
- situations where school and parents disagree about support
- problems around admission to special education and special primary education
- Out‑of‑school children and impending out-of-school situations
- finding a suitable place for a pupil
- long-term conflicts or stalled talks with school or partnership tailored education
When can an education consultant help?
You can call on an education consultant to think along if:
- you cannot find a solution with the school and the partnership tailored education and/or the parent and youth support point is already involved
- your child does not go to school
- it is likely that your child will soon stop going to school
- you disagree with the school about support or transfer
- the school and the partnership tailored education cannot find a solution
- talks keep stalling or tensions rise
- you as a parent feel that you cannot move forward
The partnership tailored education must already be involved. An education consultant can (if the partnership tailored education cannot help you) think along early to prevent problems. Are you unsure? Contact us by mail or phone and we will gladly think along with you.
Does an education consultant cost money?
No. The help of an education consultant is always free for parents and pupils. You do not have to pay for conversations, advice or guidance. The government pays this so that every parent can get support when education for a child breaks down. So you have no financial barrier to call on an education consultant.
Do school or the parent have to follow the advice of the education consultant?
No. The advice of an education consultant is not mandatory to follow. It is an independent and expert advice that helps to move forward when talks have stalled.
Many schools and partnerships tailored education take the advice seriously because education consultants have a lot of experience with complicated situations. But in the end, as a parent you always decide what to do with the advice.
How does calling on work?
You can apply yourself by contacting Stichting Onderwijsconsulenten via their website. You do not need a referral.
After your registration, a consultant will contact you to discuss the situation. Then you look together at possible steps.
Are you unsure if you meet the conditions or can’t they (yet) help you? Then contact our advice point. We are happy to help you further.
Questions or personal advice?
Do you have questions about this topic, would you like advice regarding your situation, or just a listening ear? Then please contact us via 088-6050101, email vraag@oudersenonderwijs.nl or WhatsApp ons.
FAQ: Inclusive education is not successful, what now?.
An education consultant helps parents and students when they cannot resolve issues with the collaboration network or the parent and youth support point. They provide advice, collaborate, and support in finding a suitable solution or place for the student.
No. The assistance is always free for parents and students.
No. Following the advice is not mandatory. You decide what to do with it.
They work for Foundation Education Consultants. This is an independent organization that supports parents and students all over the Netherlands.
An OPDC, or Orthopedagogical Didactic Center, is a temporary educational place for students who are struggling at their own school. They receive extra guidance to be able to return to a suitable place.
An OPDC provides support with learning, behavior, motivation, and social situations. It helps to find peace, set goals, and work towards a return to inclusive education.
No. An OPDC is temporary and intended as an interim step. Special education is a fixed type of school for students who require long-term, intensive support.
The cooperation association for inclusive education decides, in consultation with the school and parents.
Yes, that is always the goal. Sometimes a student returns to their own school, sometimes to another suitable place.
The joint participation council deals with the following issues between parents and schools:
- (refusal of) admission of a student in need of additional support;
- the removal of a student;
- the determination and adjustment of the development perspective of a student in need of additional support.
No, not binding, but a weighty advice that schools often follow in practice. The school must provide a good justification. Disregarding advice without a reason is not the intention.
First discuss the situation with the school. It is important to remember that a dispute must be submitted within 6 weeks of its occurrence. Otherwise, you are too late.
The committee usually issues a ruling within 10 weeks after the dispute is filed.
No, filing a dispute with the joint participation council is free.
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