Students are better prepared for learning when they are healthy, safe and happy. Therefore student wellbeing is the responsibility of all staff working in a whole school context. Student learning cannot be separated from wellbeing.
Helping students to learn effectively and to develop positive attitudes and behaviours are goals that are shared by teachers, student support services staff and parents. It requires that each young person is educated in an environment which provides for their individual development.
The Framework for Student Support Services in Victorian Government Schools describes the principles, arrangements and the additional resources provided to strengthen student wellbeing and support services.
The Framework outlines the concepts of "continuity of care" and "partnerships between the school and the community" as the key to improving the services provided to students and their families.
It identifies four levels at which these services take effect:
The emphasis is on primary prevention and early intervention as the most effective means of enhancing the resilience of young people.
Regional Support
Gippsland Region provides support for student wellbeing via a range of professional learning programs. Details regarding programs available can be found at PDOnline. (http://www.pd-online.com.au)
Structured Approach to Students at Risk
In July 2005, the departments of Human Services and Education in Gippsland established a formal partnership with shared objectives of improving the safety, educational, and developmental outcomes for children and young people of Gippsland. The partnership recognises the significant intersection of schools, child, family, health and community services.
The partnership selected three areas of focus - Early Childhood, Students at Risk (S@R) and protocols with Child Protection.
The Students At Risk sub-group agreed to progress a regional service database; consider alternative school options; and to develop an early identification, assessment, planning, and referral process for students at risk of harm from abuse and neglect and/or from becoming disengaged from the educational systems.
Teachers and the school structures are an integral part of the lives of children and young people. Accordingly, schools are in a unique position to identify early signs of risk and fulfil a critical role in a coordinated approach to the whole of life circumstances that ultimately influence the student’s educational achievements.
Therefore, the intention of the approach to S@R is to provide a structured means to consider relevant information about a student’s educational status in relation to their family and living circumstances.
In doing this the school system will be better equipped to assess the key issues, form a judgement about the level of risk and differentiate the most appropriate response options for a student.
Initial Assets and Risks Screening Tool (IARST 1)
Part of this approach included the development of an Initial Assets and Risks Screening Tool (IARST Tool 1). This tool has undergone several revisions since the pilot and is now available for schools to use as they see appropriate to their needs.
IARST 1 is a relatively simple tool designed to allow teachers to form an initial judgement of issues relating to a student at risk. It is broken into four related categories of Individual, Family, School and Community. Within each category is a list of indicators of both Protective Assets/Strengths and Risks factors.
Use of the tool with a range of relevant staff will enable teams to share their understanding of the student and support each other in the development of a plan. The case planning pro forma may be used to record actions to support students.
Feedback and suggestions to further improve this document would be most welcome.
Related info
Resources for schools
Schools can access a number of excellent student wellbeing resources online.
Framework for Student Support Services in Victorian Government Schools http://www.sofweb.vic.edu.au/wellbeing/welfare/framework.htm
Student Support Health and Safety
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/studentsupport/
Guidelines for developing The Student code of conduct
http://www.sofweb.vic.edu.au/wellbeing/welfare/conduct.htm
Safe Schools are Effective schools
A Resource for developing safe and supportive school environments
|