SCM-PR-012: Chaplaincy Services in Queensland State Schools

• Education (General Provisions) Act 2006 (new window) Chapter 5 Section 76 and Section 426 http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/ACTS/2006/06AC039.pdf
• Education (General Provisions) Regulation 2006 (new window) Part 5 http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/SLS/2006/06SL246.pdf
• Child Protection Act 1999 (new window) Part 6 Section 186 http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/C/ChildProtectA99.pdf
• Anti-Discrimination Act 1991 (new window) Chapter 2, Part 2 Section 7; Part 4 Division 3 Subdivision 1 Section 39; Chapter 4, Part 4, Section 124A; Schedule Dictionary http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/A/AntiDiscrimA91.pdf
• Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian Act 2000 (new window) Part 6 http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/C/CommisChildA00.pdf

• Queensland State Education 2010 (new window) http://education.qld.gov.au/corporate/qse2010/pdf/strategy.pdf
• The Code of School Behaviour (new window) http://iwww.qed.qld.gov.au/students/behaviour/pdfs/schoolbehaviourcode.pdf

• SMS-PR-012: Student Protection /strategic/eppr/students/smspr012/
• CRP-PR-009: Inclusive Education /strategic/eppr/curriculum/crppr009/
• CMR-PR-001: Complaints Management /strategic/eppr/community/cmrpr001/
• HRM-PR-010: Working with Children Check /strategic/eppr/hr/hrmpr010/
• SCM-PR-021: Religious Instruction in School Hours /strategic/eppr/schools/scmpr021/

Statement of intent

A chaplaincy program is an optional service introduced into a state school to give support in religious and spiritual matters to students. The program may also deal with ethical matters. This policy applies to all chaplaincy services in state schools, regardless of whether they are paid or voluntary and, if paid, regardless of source of funding.

There are various models of chaplaincy services, which contribute to students' educational and spiritual welfare, provide student mentoring and allow the chaplain to be an additional adult role model in schools. These models are the:
a) pastoral care model
b) mentoring model
c) education support model
and a chaplain can undertake a range of activities within a school.

A school's chaplaincy program complements other welfare services in the school such as those offered by the Guidance Officer or Youth Support Coordinator, and is not a counselling service. Local community support is required for the introduction of a chaplaincy program to a school.

School funds provided by the Queensland government for educational purposes cannot be used for chaplaincy services.

Programs of chaplaincy services are compatible with policies and practices that apply to delivery of any service in a multi-faith and multicultural state school community. A chaplaincy program is to be inclusive of and show respect for all religious and non-religious beliefs and other stances represented in the school community. All activities and events provided within a chaplaincy program are to be non-discriminatory and equitably available to students, of all beliefs, who choose to participate. Religious Instruction is not part of a school's program of chaplaincy services.

Chaplains contribute towards addressing religious, spiritual and/or ethical needs of students. Whilst personally modeling and owning their own faith positions or belief, chaplains avoid any implications that any one religion, denomination or other set of beliefs is advantageous or superior to any other denomination, religion or belief.

As part of the enrolment process, or upon the introduction of a new chaplaincy program into a school, parents are provided with information about the school's chaplaincy program and written consent (new window) 68k sought for participation on a voluntary basis in the program and in any activities which have religious, spiritual and/or ethical content. Written consent is not needed for students who are living independently from their parents. To ensure parents and the community remain informed, updates as to the nature of the chaplaincy program occur annually, or more often where there are changes to the program, through the school newsletter and website.

Responsibilities

Introducing a Chaplaincy Service (new window) 44k

• consult with stakeholder groups in the school community and the Parents and Citizens' Association where one exists to ascertain interest in and support for the introduction of a chaplaincy program
• if supported, establish a Local Chaplaincy Committee that is representative of all religious and non-religious beliefs and other stances represented in the school community
• inform the Local Chaplaincy Committee that funding to pay for the selection of a chaplain and provision of chaplaincy services can only be from such sources as:
  • sponsorship from local religious groups and community organisations
  • financial contributions from the Parents and Citizens' Association in accordance with the association's procedures
  • fund raising events at the school or other community venues
  • donations from parents, individuals or organizations
  • Government funds provided specifically for chaplaincy programs such as the 2007-2010 State Government Chaplaincy/Pastoral Care Funding Program and the National School Chaplaincy Program
    and that paid chaplains must be employed by an employing authority accredited through the Department
• advise Local Chaplaincy Committee and chaplain that:
  • religious instruction occurs only in accordance with legislation and departmental policy and is not part of a chaplaincy program
  • any specific school events which have religious, spiritual and/or ethical content are to be inclusive in accordance with departmental policies
  • student participation in any activity that is part of the chaplaincy program is voluntary
• establish with the chaplain and Local Chaplaincy Committee principles and processes with respect to confidentiality
• work collaboratively with the Local Chaplaincy Committee to develop the aims and overview of the school's chaplaincy program and the work plan for the chaplain
  • taking into consideration the needs of the school community and the availability of resources in the school and
  • ensuring that the aims and overview of the school's chaplaincy program and the activities of the chaplain are inclusive of all students. However, specific occasions or events may occur, when content and materials will be targeted to particular belief groups e.g. a Christian ceremony held to commemorate ANZAC Day
• gain support of the Parents and Citizens' Association for the chaplaincy program and the chaplain's workplan prior to implementation
• include the chaplaincy program in the school's Operational Plan
• complete Notice of a Program of Chaplaincy Services (new window) 74k and forward a copy and subsequent updates to Executive Director (Schools) and to the President of the school's Parents and Citizens' Association.

Appointing a Chaplain

• approve the Local Chaplaincy Committee's commencement of recruitment and selection processes for a paid or volunteer chaplain
• ensure the chaplain has a current Blue Card as required by the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian Act 2000
• provide the relevant accredited employing authority and the chaplain with the approved aims and overview of school's chaplaincy program and approved work plan for the chaplain
• enter into a written agreement with the chaplain or employing authority regarding the chaplain's delivery of chaplaincy services at the school
• arrange that the chaplain receives necessary information and/or training about his/her responsibilities under relevant legislation (e.g. Child Protection Act 1999) and Education Queensland policies and standards (e.g. this policy and the Student Protection Policy)
• instruct volunteer and/or paid chaplain that s/he is not to evangelise or proselytise at any time in the delivery of the chaplaincy program.

Implementing Chaplaincy Services

• allocate accommodation and facilities necessary to implement and maintain the program of chaplaincy services, including a secure location for storage of records
• publish in the school prospectus or equivalent document/s, on the school's website and through a range of school materials and update at least annually:
  • information about chaplaincy programs in state schools including models of chaplaincy services
  • overview of the school's chaplaincy program current for the year, including specific activities where these are planned
  • information about parents' rights regarding their children's participation in activities within the chaplaincy program
• develop and make available to all parents or guardians at enrolment, and on request, a consent form (new window) 68k for Voluntary Student Participation in Program of Chaplaincy Services which outlines the school's chaplaincy program so that they can:
  • know the range of activities (with and without religious, spiritual and/or ethical content) within the school's chaplaincy program
  • make an informed decision regarding their child's participation or non-participation in the chaplaincy program overall and in specific activities that are part of that program
  • withdraw their consent for their child's participation in the chaplaincy program overall and in specific activities that are part of that program by advising the school in writing
• inform parents or guardians through the school's newsletter and website when new chaplaincy activities or specific events are to occur
• retain chaplain/s records in relation to the school's chaplaincy program on site, secured as necessary, as property of Education Queensland
• negotiate with the chaplain regarding consent for a student participating in ongoing one-to-one meetings to receive religious, spiritual and/or ethical support. Generally, when such meetings are to occur, the Principal seeks written parental consent (new window) 46k and provides chaplain with a copy prior to commencement of ongoing one-on-one sessions. Where there are student protection concerns, the principal can give written consent for support to be offered by the chaplain through ongoing one-to-one meetings. The principal also refers to the Student Protection Policy in managing these instances
• advise the chaplain that, through the enrolment process, students require parental or guardian consent (new window) 68k prior to their participation in any school programs or activities involving the chaplain which have religious, spiritual and/or ethical content e.g.
  • voluntary participation in any activity that includes prayer or religious readings
  • voluntary attendance at ceremonies or rituals with religious foundation or content
    Such consent is gained upon enrolment or introduction of new chaplaincy program to school
• ensure that no expenditures associated with the implementation of the chaplaincy program are funded through funds provided by the Government for educational purposes
• establish appropriate accountability and reporting procedures for the chaplaincy program
• report on the chaplaincy program in the school's Annual Report
• create an environment of continuous service improvement by conducting annual reviews of the chaplaincy program, involving the LCC and a representative of the employing authority.

• comply with relevant legislation, Education Queensland policies and practices
• contact the principal to notify immediately of any student protection concerns
• implement program of chaplaincy services as outlined in approved school overview
• undertake activities outlined in approved work plan
• provide social and emotional support to students through meeting their religious, spiritual and/or ethical needs and refer students to other professionals as needed
• provide regular reports to principal, or his/her delegate, on proposed events and on progress, issues and successes of chaplaincy services in such format as determined by principal
• negotiate with the principal regarding consent for a student participating in ongoing one-to-one meetings (new window) 46k to receive religious, spiritual and/or ethical support. Generally, when such meetings are to occur, the chaplain is to advise principal who seeks written parental consent. However, where there are student protection issues, the principal gives written consent, if considered appropriate, for support to be offered by the chaplain through ongoing one-to-one meetings
• commence one-on-one ongoing sessions to provide religious, spiritual and/or ethical support once a copy of written parental or principal consent has been received and copy attached to case notes
• cease provision of any chaplaincy services with religious, spiritual and/or ethical content to a student immediately upon notification from parents or guardians or principal that parents or guardians have requested the withdrawal of chaplaincy services for their child
• take reasonable steps to confirm that parental or guardian consent has been provided for all students who participate voluntarily in interrelated activities with religious, spiritual and/or ethical content that are part of approved school overview
• compile and retain in secure storage record of chaplain's activities such as case notes
• comply with directions of principal and employing authority not to evangelise or proselytize in the delivery of chaplaincy services.

• represents the diversity of religious and non-religious beliefs and other stances in the school community
• understands the cultural and religious customs and needs of the individuals and groups within the school and the range of services and support currently available and/or required
• performs an advisory role to the principal for the development and implementation of the school chaplaincy program
• undertakes activities such as fundraising for the chaplaincy program and supporting and mentoring the chaplain/s
• nominates an accredited employing authority when a paid chaplain is to be engaged or nominates a person to work as a volunteer chaplain where no payment is involved. The volunteer must be accredited by an appropriate local leader and all chaplains have a current Blue Card, unless the volunteer chaplain is a parent at the school their child attends
• participates in annual reviews of the chaplaincy program and informs authorized employing authority of any relevant professional development or support requirements of the chaplain.
  

• consult with the principal and invite independent representation from the Local Chaplaincy Committee and principal to be involved in the recruitment process for the school's chaplain
• advertise for persons to be employed as a chaplain and instigate selection procedures
• conduct the selection process involving a representative from Local Chaplaincy Committee and make recommendation of most meritorious applicant for approval by principal
• make application and pay associated costs for Working with Children Check for chaplain and ensure chaplain has a current Blue Card prior to their appointment to a school
• instruct chaplain that s/he is not to evangelise or proselytise when delivering program of chaplaincy services
• respond to relevant findings of the annual review conducted by the school principal and the local consultative committee, ensuring the provision of professional development and support to meet the needs of the chaplain and the school.
  

• keeps record of local schools with a chaplaincy program through storage of Notice of a Program of Chaplaincy Services (new window) 74k and program updates received from schools.

• consults with Religious Education Advisory Committee (REAC) on chaplaincy services and related policy development and monitoring
• arranges a subcommittee of representatives of Religious Education Advisory Committee to form Chaplaincy Consultative Committee which:
  • receives and processes applications from an organization to be accredited as an employing authority of a chaplain or chaplains in one or more Queensland state schools (new window) 158k
  • requires that a member withdraw from discussion, deliberations and decision making should that member of the Chaplaincy Consultative Committee be in a position that creates a conflict of interest, either real or perceived, relating to a matter
  • makes recommendations to the Minister that an organization is suitable to be accredited as a statewide employing authority of a chaplain or chaplains
  • makes recommendations to the Assistant Director General - Student Services that an organization is suitable to be accredited as an employing authority of a chaplain in a state school
  • provides updated reports to Religious Education Advisory Committee members of achievements and progress of program of chaplaincy services in schools.
    

Forms

• Notice of a Program of Chaplaincy Services (new window) 74k
• Application for Accreditation as an Employing Authority of Chaplains in Queensland State Schools (new window) 158k
• Parental/guardian consent for voluntary student participation in chaplaincy program (new window) 68k
• Parental/guardian consent for ongoing one-on-one meetings with the school chaplain (new window) 46k

Not Applicable

Other relevant documents

• Introducing a Program of Chaplaincy Services into a School Flowchart (new window) 44k /strategic/eppr/schools/scmpr012/flowchart.doc
• List of Accredited Employing Authorities and Contact Details/strategic/eppr/schools/scmpr012/accredited.html
• Working with Children Check http://www.ccypcg.qld.gov.au/index.html
• Definitions/strategic/eppr/schools/scmpr012/definitions.html
• Local Chaplaincy Committee/strategic/eppr/schools/scmpr012/committee.html
• Models of Chaplaincy Services/strategic/eppr/schools/scmpr012/models.html
• Documents for School's Program of Chaplaincy Services/strategic/eppr/schools/scmpr012/documents.html

Contacts

For information on chaplaincy services in Queensland State schools, contact:

• SM-03: Chaplaincy Services in Queensland State Schools - Version: November 1998
• SCM-PR-012: Chaplaincy Services in Queensland State Schools - Version: 2.0