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Risks in education

The following lists of risks were compiled by Deputy Principals in Queensland during their participation in risk management workshops. They are by no means an exhaustive list of the risks confronting School Communities that must be managed.

Human resource management
Operational and Assets
Financial
Management, Policy and Political
Reputation and Image
Legal
Education
Technological
Environmental, Security and Business Continuity

Human Resource Management

conflicts and dispute resolution - principals, teachers, parents and students
conflicts of interest - nepotism, collusion
industrial disputation, unions, enterprise bargaining
insufficient or lack of training - playground duty, first aid administration, management of hostile environments and evacuation procedures
loss of experienced employees, expertise and specialist knowledge
misuse of Departmental resources for personal gain
occupational stress
official misconduct, fraud and corruption
professional development
teacher and teacher-aide contact/non-contact time
teacher/employee safety - workplace, occupational health and safety, workers' compensation
workplace demography/environment
workplace sexual harassment, discrimination and bullying

Operational and Assets

bike racks, lockers and storage facilities
building maintenance - electrical, painting, roofing, plumbing
car park and traffic build up inside school grounds
contamination of food, water, air-conditioning and pollution
electrical faults resulting in electrocution - wiring, circuit breakers, double adaptors
facilities and equipment - general maintenance and scheduled testing
non-compliance with workplace health and safety, occupational health and safety requirements
recovery of assets - theft, fire, and vandalism
restricted access to playground equipment - use on weekends
school grounds mowing and removal of rubbish - falling tree branches
slippery and uneven surfaces, raised pavers - tripping
storage of furniture under buildings
storage of hazardous substances and heavy machinery

Financial

conflict of interest - contractors and preferred suppliers
erroneous data entry
fraudulent verification of purchases, embezzlement
ghosting of employees and payments
inadequate training - financial policy, procedures and guidelines
lack of detail on invoices for official purchases
lack of knowledge on location of existing assets
misappropriation of funds - P&C's, canteen and uniform/book shops
non-verified payments
purchasing policy procedures not followed
security over cash including receipts

Management, Policy and Political

changes in government and legislation
inadequate communication of changes in Departmental policy and procedures
inadequate reporting systems and accountability
poor communication channels and communication directories
resource allocation, grants and funding

Reputation and Image

community and parent communication, expectations and perceptions
complaints handling and service delivery
general communication to community stakeholders

Legal

civil/public liability
confidentiality
employment law - contractual liability
family law
liability for student safety - duty of care

Education

abuse, assaults - sexual or physical by another student, parent or teacher\
before- and after-school care programs and general supervision within the school grounds
children bringing potentially dangerous items to school
continuity/non-delivery of curriculum
curriculum based activities, sporting and excursions
failure to achieve expected learning objectives and outcomes
handling of hazardous materials and machinery - science, manual arts and agricultural studies
illness, infections diseases and head lice
manual handling of a student
school tuckshops - healthy food and hygiene
serious injury or death of a student
student absenteeism and truancy
student behaviour and behaviour management
supervision of students using sports equipment and participation in sporting events

Technological

adequacy of storage and retrieval of information
computer virus
inadequate technical support and training
information security - student assessment, HR or financial data
loss of data - student assessment, HR, or financial
security of computer hardware and programs

Environmental, Security and Business Continuity

emergent situation communication procedures
emergent situation evacuation procedures - natural disasters cyclone, flood, fire, and bomb threats
general security - parents, visitors, volunteers, work persons
inadequate business continuity planning and recovery management

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