Home Visiting and Outreach Programme

Home visiting and outreach are important components of OSNET’s work to support families with children with disabilities, particularly those who may not have easy access to specialised education, rehabilitation, and support services.

Through this programme, OSNET teachers and professionals visit families in their communities and homes to understand the child’s developmental, educational, and social needs. Home visits are especially important for children who are not yet attending school, those living in remote areas, or families who may face financial, social, or other barriers to accessing services.

The programme enables teachers to:

• Identify children with disabilities and developmental needs at an early stage.
• Assess the child’s learning, communication, mobility, and daily living needs.
• Provide parents and caregivers with practical guidance on supporting their child at home.
• Demonstrate appropriate teaching, communication, and stimulation activities that parents can continue with their children.
• Identify children who may require rehabilitation, therapy, psychosocial support, or specialised education and facilitate appropriate referrals.
• Encourage parents to enrol their children in pre-primary or other appropriate educational programmes.
• Follow up on children’s progress and provide continued mentorship to families.
• Raise awareness among families and communities about disability, inclusion, and the rights of children with disabilities.

Home visits also allow OSNET teachers to understand the real-life environment in which children live and learn, enabling them to recommend practical and realistic interventions.

Through outreach, OSNET aims to ensure that children with disabilities are not excluded simply because they live far from services or face barriers to accessing schools and professionals. The programme strengthens collaboration between teachers, parents, communities, and service providers, helping children receive support as early as possible and preparing them for successful participation in education and community life.