I am giving you the heads up on a proactive and responsive piece of work coming our way. Finer details are to come but I was invited into a meeting regarding state wide findings following school audits in the areas to do with safety – student and staff. The audit directorate has long spoken about the inconsistencies in these particular areas.  The areas of WWC, Child Protection, WHS and Student Attendance.

We are all too aware of the complexities and rigour around these areas. School Performance is taking this on to reduce the administrative burden for leaders in schools responsible for this area of compliance. Training and support will be provided under School Performance and delivered like a VET audit. In essence we will be provided with a sheet of requirements in those areas and have several weeks to prepare, access support where required and have it in order so that when the auditor is in we are better positioned to meet the requirements. Auditors will not be able to request anything outside the requirements stated. The PL model will be similar to the ‘bites’ model (short and succinct). Later this term, DELs will be trained and they will be presenting the ‘bites’ at upcoming network meetings in term 3 and 4. Our SAM’s/SAO’s/BM’s will also attend with us (where relevant). SCOUT will house the data and DEL’s will be required to sign off annually.

Compliance is often an area that consumes much of our time – School Performance are endeavouring to streamline the process and provide consistency and safety for students and staff. I will keep you updated as detail is shared.