Community Safety Orders

Concerningly, several members are reporting of challenging and threatening behaviour from parents towards school leaders and school staff.  It is simply not acceptable, nor should it be tolerated that Department employees should be threatened and harassed whilst performing their duties.  I have seen several threatening and vexatious emails sent directly to principals with the intent and purpose of being intimidating and defamatory.  On some occasions, the principal has needed to seek police support and intervention not only to stop the threats and harassment but to feel safe at their place of work and home.  This is indeed alarming and most worrying.

Whilst this type of extreme behaviour may be exhibited from a minority of parents, the impact, devastation and harm it causes is immense and far reaching. 

The  School Community Safety Order scheme was introduced with the specific intent and purpose of prohibiting or restraining such harmful and threatening behaviour occurring on school premises. Principals have authority under the scheme to issue the orders consistently with legislation and the binding Ministerial Guidelines. 

Unfortunately, we are hearing from some members, that when they have liaised with regional staff or other units of the department about issuing an order, there appears to be a reluctance to proceed.  If you have experienced this, please reach out to us for assistance and support. The scheme has been developed to protect you from work-related threats and abuse and if you or your staff are experiencing such threats then there should be no reluctance in proceeding to issue the safety order.

Whilst we understand that leaders are committed to maintaining positive relationships with members of their respective school communities, under no circumstances should they be enduring threats and abusive behaviour.