The Australian Government collaborated with state and territory governments on the National Safe Schools Framework (the Framework) as part of a national approach to supporting schools to build safe school communities.
The Framework provides Australian schools with a vision and a set of guiding principles to help school communities be proactive in developing effective student safety and wellbeing policies. This vision includes creating learning environments which are free from bullying, harassment, aggression and violence.
The Framework was endorsed by all ministers for education through the Ministerial Council for Education, Early Childhood Development and Youth Affairs in December 2010. It was officially launched by the Hon Peter Garrett, MP AM, Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth on March 2011 to coincide with the inaugural National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence.
Vision
The National Safe Schools Framework is based on the following overarching vision:
All Australian schools are safe, supportive and respectful teaching and learning communities that promote student wellbeing.
Guiding principles
The vision is supported by guiding principles for safe, supportive and respectful school communities. These guiding principles emphasise the importance of student safety and wellbeing for effective learning in all school settings.
Australian schools:
- affirm the rights of all members of the school community to feel safe and be safe at school
- acknowledge that being safe and supported at school is essential for student wellbeing and effective learning
- accept responsibility for developing and sustaining safe and supportive learning and teaching communities that also fulfill the school’s child protection responsibilities
- encourage the active participation of all school community members in developing and maintaining a safe school community where diversity is valued
- actively support young people to develop understanding and skills to keep themselves and others safe
- commit to developing a safe school community through a whole-school andevidence-based approach
The Framework and the supporting resource manual are available, and have also been sent to all primary and secondary schools. These documents should be used together.
The resource manual provides support for schools in their implementation of the Framework, including:
- National Safe Schools Framework audit tool
- key actions and effective practices for implementing the Framework’s nine elements
- resources to support the implementation of the Framework
- review of the literature on student safety and wellbeing in schools
- frequently asked questions related to student safety and wellbeing
- commonly used terms and definitions
The National Safe Schools Framework posters are available.
Want to know more?
- email safeschools@deewr.gov.au.
