Outcomes of the NSCSWP Continuation of Service and Expansion Application Funding Rounds announced
On 24 May 2012, the Minister for School Education Peter Garrett announced the schools that were successful in receiving funding under the continuation and expansion of the National School Chaplaincy and Student Welfare Program.
Further information is available including lists of successful schools, and a set of Frequently Asked Questions.
Program Overview
Introduced in 2007, the National School Chaplaincy Program has made valuable contributions to the wellbeing of school communities across Australia.
It is a voluntary program that assists school communities to support the spiritual, social, and emotional wellbeing of their students. This can include support and guidance about ethics, values, relationships and spirituality; the provision of pastoral care; and enhancing engagement with the broader community.
In August 2010, the Australian Government announced that a further $222 million would be provided so that existing schools funded under the National School Chaplaincy Program could have their funding extended to the end of 2014. In addition these funds will support up to 1000 additional schools, including those in rural, remote and disadvantaged locations to access support under the Program.
A national consultation process was undertaken during 2010 to consider options for the future of the Program beyond 2011. Stakeholder views were sought and the key issues raised were presented in recommendations for changes to the Program to the Hon Peter Garrett MP, Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth. The Minister determined the changes to be made and they have been incorporated into these Guidelines.
The new National School Chaplaincy and Student Welfare Program (the Program) was announced in September 2011. Commencing in January 2012, the Program builds upon the success of the National School Chaplaincy Program and supports school communities to establish school chaplaincy and student welfare services or to enhance existing services. The major changes to the Program include: a new title for the Program; choice of support worker; minimum qualification requirements for funded school chaplains/student welfare workers; improved complaints handling mechanisms; an increase in the maximum grant for schools in remote locations; and minimum standards for Funding Recipients.
From 1 January 2012, schools funded under the Program are able to choose the services of a school chaplain to provide pastoral care services and/or select the services of a non faith-based, or secular, student welfare worker.
Funding rounds have been conducted for both the continuation of the program (for schools previously funded under the National School Chaplaincy Program) and the expansion of the program (for up to 1000 additional schools). All applications for NSCSWP funding for 2012-2014 closed on 2 March 2012.
NSCSWP Update to Guidelines
In April 2012, minor revisions were made to the National School Chaplaincy and Student Welfare Program Guidelines which include the updated codes for the mental health units, a definition of pastoral care and an amendment to the Code of Conduct Form found as Attachment A. For further detail on the list of revisions made, please refer to page 3 of the National School Chaplaincy and Student Welfare Guidelines.