School Decision Making in Family Disputes procedures

1. Policy supported

School Decision Making in Family Disputes policy

2. Scope

These procedures apply to all school staff.

3. Procedures

3.1 Procedure

3.1 School decisions should be informed by the Guidelines for School Decision Making in Family Disputes and by balancing the duties owed to students with recognition of the involvement and responsibilities of the student’s parent or family member.

3.2 Procedure

Where the circumstances require action by the school, the school will be guided by considering and balancing:

• the best educational interests of the student;
• the safety and welfare of students on school premises or involved in a school activity; and
• maintaining the day-to-day operation and management of the school, and all persons on school premises.

Collectively, these are the school’s ‘paramount considerations'.

3.3 Procedure

Staff exercising their professional judgment in good faith and in accordance with the paramount considerations and the Guidelines will be supported by the Department with respect to any legal proceedings.

3.4 Procedure

The Guidelines for School Decision Making in Family Law Disputes should be used to inform decision-making for each of the listed family law related issues that arise:

• Enrolment information
• Release of care
• Parent spending time and communicating with student during school
• Parental involvement in school activities
• Provision of school documentation
• Family members and other persons
• Parenting plans and parenting orders
• Restraining orders
• Recovery and location orders
• Orders to produce
• Department of Communities orders
• Bail conditions and conditional release orders
• Involvement with court proceedings.

4. Related documents

5. Contact information

Policy manager:

Deputy Director General, Schools

Policy contact officer:

Principal Consultant

Ph: 9264 5570

Email: ExecutiveOffice.DeputyDG.Schools@education.wa.edu.au

6. History of changes