The ARC Initiative is the specialist education service within HEARTH Therapy Studios, offering whole-school initiatives and specialist interventions for learning, engagement and inclusion, tailored to the priorities, context and needs of each education setting.
Following a successful pilot, ARC is now being established within a local primary school on the Mornington Peninsula. The ARC model has also been presented and discussed through consultations with the Victorian Government and representatives involved in Thriving Kids, with the potential for further collaboration as the initiative develops.
Specialist Learning, Engagement and Inclusion
Sam is a UK-trained specialist teacher registered with the Victorian Institute of Teaching. Her work draws on more than 30 years of experience alongside children and young people in mainstream, specialist, alternative and community education settings, particularly those who have found it difficult to access, engage with or remain connected to education.
Her approach keeps the child or young person at the heart of their support, beginning with their strengths, interests and ways of learning. Her qualifications and experience in art psychotherapy and EMDR, together with her own creative practice, enrich specialist teaching through embodied, multisensory, expressive and creative approaches.
Sam works directly with students, develops individual student profiles and prepares reports for Disability Inclusion Profile (DIP) processes. She also provides training and workshops for educators in areas including complex and intersecting learner profiles, attachment-related needs and specialised approaches for students with specific learning differences.
How ARC Works
ARC works alongside the knowledge, relationships and support already present within schools, providing an additional layer of specialist understanding and practical strategies. Through careful attunement, thoughtful responses and stronger connections around the learner, ARC builds a connected picture of each student, including their strengths, support needs, relationships, communication, regulation, participation and learning environment. This can be particularly helpful when a student’s needs are complex, layered or difficult to capture through classroom observation alone.
This fuller understanding supports educators to develop practical, respectful and realistic strategies for the classroom and wider school setting. Grounded in specialist teaching, ARC takes a holistic, child-centred approach informed by development, relationships, wellbeing and the wider factors that shape learning and participation. Flexible, creative and personalised supports are developed collaboratively with educators, families and relevant professionals.
ARC can also support whole-school reviews of learning, engagement and inclusion, building on existing strengths while identifying priorities, guiding strategic planning and supporting the thoughtful use of available resources. This helps strengthen equitable access, meaningful participation and belonging across the school community.
Enquiries
The ARC Initiative is available for school-based consultation, specialist education support, student profiling, staff guidance, therapeutic input and art therapy in education settings. Enquiries are welcome from parents and caregivers, schools, and service providers seeking support for a child or young person’s learning, engagement, inclusion, or wellbeing.
Please contact Sam to discuss school-based support, availability and suitability.