❓ Question regarding the implementation, funding, and parental involvement in the Safe Schools program within Western Australian public schools from 2014-2018. The answer clarifies the program's availability, funding changes, and parental consent processes.
AnsweredQoN 835Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Safe Schools program and I ask: (a) how many Western Australian public schools implemented the program in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 respectively; (b) how many Western Australian public schools are expected to use the program in 2018, now that it is State-funded; (c) what is the process for an independent public school to sign up to the program; and (d) how do parents and school communities have a say in whether their school adopts the program or not?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
10 April 2018
Responded by
Minister for Education and Training
Response time
9 days
(a) The number of public schools registered on the Safe Schools Coalition Australia (SSCA) website in 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 was as follows:
Schools in Western Australia were not able to register on the SSCA website until July 2015. Schools that registered on SSCA website did not necessarily deliver the SSCA program.
(b) Federal funding for the national SSCA program ceased in June 2017. The Foundation for Young Australians continued to fund the WA AIDS Council to deliver the Safe Schools Coalition Australia initiative in Western Australia until 31 October 2017. Select resources produced under this program continue to remain available on the Australian Government’s Student Wellbeing Hub.
The Department entered into an agreement with the WA AIDS Council (which previously delivered the SSCA program) from 1 November 2017 to 31 October 2019. Under this agreement, the WA AIDS Council provides:
It is an expectation of the Department’s agreement with the WA AIDS Council that a minimum of 10 public secondary schools will access these services each year. It must be noted that these services do not include the delivery of the SSCA program.
(c) All public secondary schools can access the SSCA resources that are still available via the Australian Government Student Wellbeing Hub.
(d) If schools intend to use any of the SSCA classroom lessons still available on the Australian Government Student Wellbeing Hub, they follow current practice for obtaining parent consent, which includes the choice for parents to have their child opt out of participation in particular classes and/or activities.
Schools in Western Australia were not able to register on the SSCA website until July 2015. Schools that registered on SSCA website did not necessarily deliver the SSCA program.
(b) Federal funding for the national SSCA program ceased in June 2017. The Foundation for Young Australians continued to fund the WA AIDS Council to deliver the Safe Schools Coalition Australia initiative in Western Australia until 31 October 2017. Select resources produced under this program continue to remain available on the Australian Government’s Student Wellbeing Hub.
The Department entered into an agreement with the WA AIDS Council (which previously delivered the SSCA program) from 1 November 2017 to 31 October 2019. Under this agreement, the WA AIDS Council provides:
It is an expectation of the Department’s agreement with the WA AIDS Council that a minimum of 10 public secondary schools will access these services each year. It must be noted that these services do not include the delivery of the SSCA program.
(c) All public secondary schools can access the SSCA resources that are still available via the Australian Government Student Wellbeing Hub.
(d) If schools intend to use any of the SSCA classroom lessons still available on the Australian Government Student Wellbeing Hub, they follow current practice for obtaining parent consent, which includes the choice for parents to have their child opt out of participation in particular classes and/or activities.
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