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Fast Facts (Q&A)

Why is the Government providing funding for school chaplains?

As one of society’s key institutions, schools are in a strong position to support the wellbeing, values and spirituality of young people. Chaplains already play a significant role in supporting many schools throughout Australia, including government schools, and there have been calls for their services to be more broadly available to school communities.

In response to this, the Australian Government has established the National School Chaplaincy Program (the Program) to support the valuable contributions that chaplains provide to the spiritual and emotional wellbeing of school communities nationally and to support schools and their communities to establish school chaplaincy services or to enhance existing chaplaincy services.

How much funding is available?

Under the Program $165 million over three years (2006-07 to 2009-10) will be available for government and non-government schools to establish school chaplaincy services, or expand existing services. Government and non-government schools and their communities were able to apply for up to $20,000 per annum (and a maximum of $60,000 over the life of the Program) to establish school chaplaincy services or to enhance existing chaplaincy services.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced on 21 November 2009 that his government will continue with the National School Chaplaincy Program (NSCP) and extend existing school chaplaincy funding to the end of 2011. The Australian Government will inject $42.8m into the program, giving certainty to over 2500 government and non-government schools across the country which presently access this service. The Prime Minister also announced in November 2009 that the Government intends to consult further with school communities and churches to bring about a comprehensive plan for pastoral care beyond December 2011.

What is a school community?

A school community is defined as a school that is recognised by its state or territory government as being a school, that has permanently enrolled students, and that has its own school community comprising parents, teachers, friends, former students, counsellors, social workers and other people who are connected with the school.

How do school communities apply for funding?

Government and non-government schools and their communities were eligible to apply for funding under this Program.
The second and final funding round for this Program has now closed. No further funding rounds will be held.

Is it compulsory for school communities to participate in the Program?

No. Participation in the Program is voluntary and school communities will decide if they want to apply for funding. Schools that apply will need to demonstrate evidence of consultation with and support from their broader school community.

If a school is participating, do all students have to be involved?

No. It is not compulsory for students to participate. Schools must ensure that students and parents understand the voluntary nature of the Program and have the option of whether to utilise the services of a school chaplain.

Do chaplains have to be Christian?

No. School communities will also determine the role, faith and, or denomination of the chaplain. The services provided by a chaplain should be appropriate to the school community and student context in which they will operate.

Chaplains will be expected to respect the range of religious views and affiliations, and cultural traditions in the school and the community, and be approachable by students of all faiths. While recognising that an individual chaplain will in good faith express his or her belief and articulate values consistent with his or her denomination or religious belief, a chaplain should not take advantage of his or her privileged position to proselytise for that denomination or religious belief.

It is recognised that for some religious affiliations, a more suitable or appropriate term may be used, such as Imam, Rabbi, lay leader, or religious worker.

Who can be a chaplain?

Any person can be a chaplain.

For the purposes of this Program, a school chaplain is a person who is recognised:

• by the local school, its community and the appropriate governing authority as having the skills and experience to deliver school chaplaincy services to the school and its community; and
• through formal ordination, commissioning, recognised qualifications or endorsement by a recognised or accepted religious institution or a State/Territory government approved chaplaincy service.

In particular circumstances, alternative endorsement arrangements may be considered on a case by case basis.

Can an existing staff member who meets the requirements for being a school chaplain be eligible for funding?

Yes. School communities with an existing staff member who wishes to provide chaplaincy services and who meets the requirements to be a chaplain under this Program may be eligible for funding.

My school has students with many different faiths. Can we engage more than one chaplain, to provide support to all our students?

The Program recognises the diversity of school and student populations across Australia. Schools and their communities may engage the services of more than one school chaplain where this is appropriate to their needs. You should note that school communities will not be eligible for additional funding.

How will I know my child is safe while participating in the Program?

As persons being considered for the role of school chaplain will come into contact with children under the age of 18, school communities will be required to obtain evidence that these persons satisfy the child protection requirements that are outlined in the Program Guidelines. No funding agreement can be entered into without this evidence.
Chaplains will be required to sign a code of conduct which outlines the expected behaviours.

What is a school chaplain expected to do?

The services provided by a chaplain should be appropriate to the school and student context in which he or she will operate. Within this context, chaplains will be expected to respect the range of religious views and affiliations, and cultural traditions in the school and the community, and be approachable by students of all faiths. It is not the purpose of chaplaincy services to bring about or encourage commitment to any set of beliefs.

It is important to note that school chaplains cannot provide services for which they are not qualified, for example, counselling services or psychological assessment, or medical assessment.

Chaplains can, under certain circumstances, refer a child to a chaplain who is in accordance with their own beliefs and values.

The key tasks of a chaplain may include, facilitating access to the helping agencies in the community, both religious-based and secular.

The activities undertaken by school chaplains may include, but are not limited to:

Spiritual guidance:

• Supporting students to explore their spirituality;
• Providing guidance on religious, values and ethical matters; and
• Facilitating access to the helping agencies in the community, both church-based and secular.

Greater pastoral care:

• Providing guidance to students on issues concerning human relationships;
• Assisting school counsellors and staff in the provision of student welfare services;
• Providing support in cases of bereavement, family breakdown or other crisis and loss situations; and
• Being readily available to provide continuity and on-going support for individual students and staff where this is necessary.

Are the services of the chaplain directed to support only students, or should the chaplain support staff as well?

The chaplain should be available to support the whole school community, including students, staff, and where necessary parents and other family members.

Will chaplains be conducting religious education classes in school communities?

Not unless they are qualified teachers and this is part of their role.

I’m a parent of school children. Will my children’s school consult me about this Program?

Yes. It will be a condition of receiving funding under this Program that school communities consult broadly with the school community, particularly parents.

There must be clear consensus about the demand for and role of a school chaplain.

Why is there a Reference Group advising on this Program? What will it do?

Australia is a multicultural society and religiously diverse country. It is important that the National School Chaplaincy Program broadly reflects the religious diversity of Australian society. A Reference Group comprising members from different school sectors, parent groups and chaplaincy organisations has been established.

The Reference Group will provide expert advice on issues relevant to the program and reflect a range of views relating to religion, pastoral care, student well-being and spiritual development. The Reference Group will also provide on-going advice as required on the implementation of the Program.