Supporting and caring for school communities
(Previously known as the Chaplaincy program)
Contents
History
It was in 1987 that the first Chaplains were appointed to high schools in Elizabeth and Port Lincoln, after guidelines for the operation of chaplaincy services were agreed upon by the former Department of Education & Children's Services and the South Australian Heads of Christian Churches Committee. Since then, there has been a rapid expansion in the program. Currently, 95% of secondary schools in South Australia have a CPS Worker as a part of the school community.
Following discussions with the former Department of Education and Children's Services, in November 1992, the then Minister of Education and Children's Services gave her support for a pilot chaplaincy program in government primary schools. From July 1998, the Department approved chaplaincy for primary schools. Interest in the program is increasing at a steady rate, and at the end of 2008, there are now 200 primary schools with established CPS Worker positions.
The CPS Program is a rapidly growing ministry students in over 320 with South Australian government schools having the oppertunity of regular weekly access to a CPS Worker. SMG coordinates, resources and pastorally cares for over 340 CPS Workers in over 320 Secondary, Primary and Community R-12 Schools. There are still approximately 230 schools yet to receive this support.
Why have a CPS Worker in your school?
Some benefits commonly mentioned by school principals, staff and students include:
· Positive adult role model, friendly, and fun person.
· Ongoing pastoral support for students and families.
· Able to run or assist with programs to do with student wellbeing such as Program Achieve, Bounce Back,
Seasons for Growth (grief and loss), Peer Skills.
· An extra caring adult to help in the classroom and with camps and excursions.
· Skills possessed by the individual CPS Worker. These are diverse. Examples include; abilities to coach sporting teams, produce or help with school plays and musicals, craft ability, advanced counselling qualifications, clowning and many more.
· Link to resources in the local community, eg food hampers, volunteers for various needs within the school community.
· Provide a reference point for addressing social, religious or spiritual issues within the school.
How is the CPS Worker provided?
The CPS Program is a partnership with the School, the local Christian Community and SMG. A school, a local church or inter-church group or an individual can initiate a proposal for a CPS Worker Position. Consultation - Initially, the School Principal should be contacted.
Consultation should then be held with:
· SMG Coordinator
· Local Inter-Church Group
· The school council
· The school staff
An SMG Coordinator will arrange to speak to the groups about the "why" and "how" of the CPS Program. This consultation provides an opportunity for all parties to have questions and/or concerns addressed in an open and transparent forum.
SMG
SMG has a contract with the Department of Education and Children's Services to oversee and coordinate the CPS Program in South Australia.
School
Arrange a meeting with a SMG Coordinator - Receive Information Pack
Consultation with Governing Council and Staff
Written submission to SMG
Provide Selection Panel Members
Indicate what support school can provide ie. resources
Local Christian Community
Liase with SMG Coordinator
An SMG Coordinator would be happy to speak to groups
Provide a Financial Plan - Budget
Provide Pastoral Support for CPS Worker
How is a CPS Worker appointed?
After an SMG Coordinator has consulted with the School Community and support from the local Christian Community has been obtained then:
Selection Panel Formed
When the school and Inter-Church Group agree in principle to establishing a Christian Pastoral Support Position, and SMG has given approval for this, a selection panel will be established to oversee its introduction.
The panel should consist of five members:
· 2 appointed by the school, one of who must be the Principal, and one a Governing Council nominee.
· 2 local Inter-Church Group representatives.
· The SMG Coordinator.
The panel may be chaired by either the School Principal or the SMG Coordinator.
Department of Education and Children's Services
SMG works closely with representatives from the Department of Education and Children's Services within the context of the "Christian Pastoral Support Program Management Group". This group meets to discuss and manage the workings of the program. For more information please click on the link below to view the Department of Education and Children's Services
Administrative Instructions and Guidelines
(Section 3 Student Matters)
The role of the CPS Worker
Christian Pastoral Support Workers in government schools have two main tasks:
(a) To support the school in its aim to be a safe and supportive learning environment.
(b) To link families to community resources and services.
These tasks are addressed in working with the students, staff and families of the school community, to fulfil the following roles:
Pastoral Role
The Christian Pastoral Support Worker will:
· participate in a wide range of school community activities, and support teachers, to contribute to creating a caring and inclusive learning environment within the school.
· on request, provide initial support or information to students, staff and other school community members.
· with written, informed parental consent, provide on-going personal assistance to individual students, subject to duty of care, consent, confidentiality and disclosure requirements and the Code of Conduct.
· offer support or information with regard to critical situations, grief, family breakdown.
· be available to provide ongoing support to individuals and/or families.
· provide additional opportunities for families to feel supported.
Referral Role
The Christian Pastoral Support Worker will:
· provide factual and impartial information about, and be a link to, the support and services provided through community groups, including church groups, local council and government agencies.
· consult with student counsellors and other staff about student safety, wellbeing or learning while maintaining appropriate confidentiality, and referring students to other staff as required.
· be a mandated notifier, and thus be required to report any suspected abuse or neglect to Families S.A.
Resource Role
The Christian Pastoral Support Worker will:
· provide a reference point for addressing social, religious or spiritual issues.
· provide access to resources from the broader community which are relevant to school programs.
· be available to give input into health and social education courses (e.g. in the areas of grief, self esteem, values or relationships).
· be available to give assistance (where appropriate) with camps, excursions and voluntary clubs or groups in the school.
· support groups such as the Student Representative Council and Peer Support Program
· assist the principal to liaise with the local church community and the school for the provision of optional 'Religious Education Seminars' in school time.
|
