St Joseph's School receives funding from the Australian Government under the National School Chaplaincy Program (NSCP). The aim of this funding is to assist schools to provide pastoral wellbeing services to support students, staff and the school community.
Our School Wellbeing Officer (Chaplain) has three main roles:
A Pastoral Role
OurSchool Wellbeing Officer (Chaplain):
• Participates in a wide range of school community activities, and support staff, to contribute to creating a caring and inclusive learning environment within the school.
• On request, provides initial support or information to students, staff and other school community members.
• With written, informed parental consent provide ongoing personal assistance with individual students, subject to duty of care, consent, confidentiality and disclosure requirements and the code of conduct.
• Offers support or information with regard to critical situations, grief, family breakdown.
• Is available to provide ongoing support to individuals and/or families.
• Provides additional opportunities for families to feel supported.
A Referral Role
Our School Wellbeing Officer (Chaplain) will:
• Provide factual and impartial information about, network with, and be a link to, the support and services provided through community groups, local council and government agencies.
• Consult and liaise with student counsellors and other staff about student safety, wellbeing or learning while maintaining appropriate confidentiality, and referring students to other staff as required.
• Be a mandated notifier, and thus be required to report any suspected abuse or neglect as required by state legislation.
A Resource Role
Our School Wellbeing Officer (Chaplain):
• Provides a reference point for addressing social issues
• Provides access to resources from the broader community which are relevant to school programs.
• Is available to give input into health and social education courses (e.g. in the areas of grief, self-esteem, values or relationships).
• Is available to give assistance with camps and excursions, and, where appropriate, initiate activities such as voluntary clubs or groups in the school.
• Supports groups such as the Student Representative Council and the Peer Support Program
This service offered by our School Wellbeing Officer (Chaplain) is accessed by school community members on a voluntary basis. OurSchool Wellbeing Officer (Chaplain) is managed by our school leaders and complements, enhances and collaborates with the school
Pastoral Wellbeing Team, counsellors, other school support staff, etc. Students are able to access ourSchool Wellbeing Officer (Chaplain) through Student Services.
Grievance A Grievance Procedure for any formal complaint is available from the School Principal.
Disclaimer The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Government
Acknowledgement This project was funded by the Australian Government under the National School Chaplaincy Program (NSCP).
