By: Steff Willis
An independent evaluation will assess the effectiveness of chaplaincy in supporting the wellbeing of school students and the broader school community.
In accordance with the Project Agreement, this year the Department of Education has engaged dandolopartners to conduct an independent evaluation of the National School Chaplaincy Program (NSCP) for the years 2019 to 2022.
As part of the evaluation, an online survey is currently seeking input from Australian school communities and the wider Australian community. The survey closes Tuesday, 13 September 2022.
The National School Chaplaincy Program was initiated by the Federal Government in 2006 to provide greater pastoral care as well as spiritual wellbeing support; to complement existing pastoral and wellbeing supports provided by schools; unique because it provides school communities with a person who has lived experience in the area of spiritual wellbeing.
Nationally more than 3,000 school communities receive support each year through the program. Any school is eligible to apply for funding for a chaplain through the NSCP. Presently this is $20,280 for regional and metropolitan schools and $24,336 for remote or very remote schools.
Students and their families as well as teachers and other professionals are invited to share their testimonies and stories about chaplaincy and the impact on a student’s wellbeing. Stakeholders and the general community can make a submission by responding to multiple choice and free text questions.
Official submissions and personal testimonies can be completed via this link.
Stakeholders who have questions about the process or are having trouble accessing the survey should email engagement@dandolo.com.au.
The survey closes on 13 September 2022.
Article supplied with thanks to 96five.
Feature image: Jessica Da Rosa on Unsplash
