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Student Health in Public Schools Policy

policy

1. Policy statement

The Department promotes culturally responsive approaches to strengthening student physical and mental health to maximise their engagement with teaching and learning.

It does this in a way that builds shared responsibility for student health between schools, students, parents and the broader community.

2. Policy rules

The principal:

  • implements a whole school approach to promote student health
  • plans for medical emergencies
  • implements plans and processes to respond to the health needs of students.

Guidance

In this document, it is the principal’s responsibility, as site manager, to manage its implementation. This does not mean the principal will personally undertake the duty, rather to ensure systems, processes and roles are established and staff are aware of these. 

In this policy, health incorporates physical and mental health.

Education regions and Statewide Services support schools to promote health in accordance with the Student Health in Public Schools procedures.

Education regional offices:

  • provide advice, guidance and support to schools to support student health
  • liaise and coordinate support from other agencies within the region that work with families and young people.

Statewide Services:

  • provides resources and professional learning to enable schools to develop local approaches to supporting student health
  • develops and implements mechanisms to maintain support, engagement and shared responsibility for student health.

3. Responsibility for implementation and compliance

Principals are responsible for the implementation of this policy.

Compliance monitoring is the responsibility of line managers.

4. Scope

This policy applies to all employees.

6. Definitions

The ability to understand, interact and communicate effectively and sensitively with people from a cultural background that is different from one’s own. It is characterised by respect for culture, ongoing self-reflection, expansion of knowledge and commitment to improving practices and relationships, and is responsive to the diverse needs, backgrounds, experiences and knowledge of all students. In the Western Australian context, this is first and foremost for Aboriginal students.

The prevention and management of a disease, illness, injury or disability of a student, in order to maintain or restore physical or mental health. Individualised health care plans are required for students with specific health conditions.

A line manager is someone who has day-to-day responsibility for the management of the employee.

A medical emergency is a sudden or unexpected threat to health which requires an urgent assessment and alleviation of symptoms.

A state of wellbeing in which an individual realises their own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make a contribution to their community.

The state of the physical body and how well it is functioning. Physical health covers a wide range of areas including nutrition, activity and hygiene. Disease, injury and disability can impair the functioning of the body.
 

7. Related documents

8. Contact information

Policy manager:

Director, Student Engagement and Wellbeing

T: (08) 9402 6100                                               

Policy contact officer:

Principal Consultant, Student Engagement and Wellbeing

T: (08) 9402 6448

9. History of changes

Effective date Last update date Policy version no.
1 January 2015 3.0
Major review undertaken, Student Health Care Policy and Procedures endorsed by Director General on 19 September 2014.
1 January 2015 22 February 2016 3.1
Updated contact information D16/0154847
1 January 2015 11 August 2016 3.2
Updated broken links D17/0329162
1 January 2015 3 August 2017 3.3
Updated broken links D17/0329162
1 January 2015 21 February 2018 3.4
Updated contact information D18/0075906
1 January 2015 29 August 2018 3.5
Minor changes to include reference to Public Schools D18/0151652 and updated legislation links D18/0207680.
1 January 2015 9 February 2021 3.6
Minor changes to Broken Links, Titles of Forms, Legislation Titles and Contact Details.D21/0062242
17 July 2023 4.0
Major review undertaken (D22/0855653) endorsed by Director General on 23 February 2023

10. More information

Policy review date

17 July 2026