National schools chaplaincy program

The policy clarifies the roles, responsibilities and obligations of chaplaincy providers and chaplains who provide chaplaincy services in government schools in regard to the information, records and reporting. Find out more about our records and information management.

Students or their authorised representative in government schools can apply for access to student records via Freedom of Information. For more information see:. Students in Catholic and independent schools can request the same information directly from the school. Forms are provided for use by chaplains to manage the referral and intake process as well as for recording case notes:. Principals must ensure that the chaplain and the employing agency where appropriate , are aware of their sector's policy on complaints management.

Principals should also ensure there are procedures in place at the school to manage complaints about the chaplain or service delivery with the agency concerned. This will always involve engaging the agency when a complaint is escalated to the principal. Complaints should be resolved at the school wherever possible.

Where this is not possible, schools must follow the standard complaints management process established by the relevant school sector. Funding is provided directly to schools. Schools may purchase additional services from a chaplaincy provider at their discretion.

Schools and chaplaincy service providers participating in the NSCP are required to report to the Department to ensure chaplains and providers are operating in accordance with the service agreements and program guidelines. Government schools must use the NSCP service agreement below to engage a chaplaincy provider:. This agreement is for Chaplaincy Providers. Schools should use the schools' agreement in the Funding, reporting and accountability section above. Chaplaincy providers are required to enter into an NSCP provider agreement with the Department to provide services in government schools:.

Any organisation that wishes to be a provider of chaplains via the NSCP in Victoria can express interest by sending an email to student. Chaplaincy providers and chaplains in government schools must operate in accordance with the following departmental policies and guidelines:. Our website uses a free tool to translate into other languages. This tool is a guide and may not be accurate. For more, see: Information in your language. You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server.

Please enable scripts and reload this page. Skip to content. Page Content. Open all Close all National School Chaplaincy Program The National School Chaplaincy Program NSCP : supports the emotional wellbeing of students provides pastoral care services and strategies that support the emotional wellbeing of the school community.

The Commonwealth has extended the program for another four years, from to Chaplains A chaplain funded via the NSCP is defined as an individual who: is recognised by the school community and the appropriate governing authority for the school as having the skills and experience to deliver school chaplaincy to the school community; and is recognised through formal ordination, commissioning, recognised religious qualifications or endorsement by a recognised or accepted religious institution; and meets the NSCP's minimum qualification requirements.

Taking account of the definition of a chaplain, chaplains may: work as a member of the school's wellbeing team in the delivery of student wellbeing services contribute to improving student engagement and connectedness contribute to providing a safe, inclusive and supportive learning environment provide pastoral care and guidance to students operate within the school community and with external providers.

Chaplains must not: take advantage of their privileged position to proselytise, evangelise or advocate for a particular religious view or belief put themselves, or allow themselves, to be placed in a compromising situation, recognising that there are circumstances where confidentiality may be sought by the student conduct themselves in a manner that impacts the delivery of their services under the program, even in a private capacity perform professional or other services for which they are not qualified conduct religious services or ceremonies or lead students or staff in religious observances unless agreed to by the principal if working in a government school deliver special religious instruction if working in a government school.

Cyberbullying professional learning package for NSCP chaplains Under the Commonwealth project agreement, the Office of the eSafety Commissioner is providing a professional learning package on responding to and preventing bullying and cyberbullying to all NSCP school chaplains.

To access the consent form and frequently asked questions document for government schools; see: NSCP parent consent form docx - For more information about the policy for government schools, see: Information, records and reporting policy docx - This policy includes guidance in relation to: Consent for Chaplaincy services Collection of information Security and storage of information Use of information Access to and correction of information Management of other complaints Referral Recording of information Transfer of information between schools Disclosure of information Other requests for information Reporting obligations Purpose of collection Quality of information Ownership and custody of information Retention of information Management of complaints about the handling of information Training Find out more about our records and information management.

For more information see: Requests for information about students Freedom of Information Students in Catholic and independent schools can request the same information directly from the school.

For information about the complaints management process for government schools, see: Parent complaints - government schools In government schools, complaints involving alleged serious misconduct, unsatisfactory performance or sexual harassment, should be referred to the Department for advice regarding an appropriate course of action.

For more information, see: Employee conduct branch Government schools must also have regard to the Chaplaincy information, records and reporting policy docx - We have workers serving student wellbeing needs in a variety of schools with initiatives such as group programs, mentoring and 1 to 1 support, food and meal programs, and many more services.

Our team is ready to help serve your school and its wellbeing needs. School Principals should contact their state office directly. If your school has funding but hasn't been able to find a chaplain, we can help you! Please contact us on. Liaise with school welfare team and counsellor. Camps, excursions, and other activities.

Mentor and support students. Provide support for staff, students and school community. Assist with student-led activities. We are mainly responsible for:. Registering the school and worker. Reporting finances to the Dept. Recruiting potential workers. Choosing Your Dream School Programs is easy and available to your school. Here are some of the reasons why schools choose our services:. Simple and no-fuss employment of workers for placement in your existing student wellbeing program.