Professionalism and You Professionalism and You

TODAY’S OBJECTIVES  Introduce and initiate discussion on the Child Protection Code of Professional Standards for Employees in Catholic Schools.  Introduce and initiate discussion which will assist in clarifying the parameters of appropriate and inappropriate conduct for Catholic school employees* who work in child- related employment. (*including non-teaching staff and volunteers)

What do we mean by ‘professionalism’ in Catholic schools?  Upholding the core values of the Catholic school.  Providing safe and nurturing environments within the school community.  Acting in a manner that is ethical and equitable.  Recognising the significance of the role of teachers and those who support them, in children’s lives.  Striving for quality.  Fulfilling responsibilities of designated roles

What are Professional Standards?  A description of what staff and the community expect all child-related employees to know, understand and be able to do.  A guide of do’s and don’ts to assist staff to conduct their work effectively and professionally.  A means of promoting a culture of awareness which will assist in detecting and addressing inappropriate or risky behaviours at an early stage.

“Child Protection Code of Professional Standards for Employees in Catholic Schools”

CONTEXT CONTEXT  The ‘Code’ has been developed as a a result of amendments to Child Protection Legislation in April  It consolidates previously distributed policy, practice & advice.  It is consistent with the philosophy and requirements of the  Impending Institute of Teachers  Board of Studies School Registration

Professional Relationships Scenario 1: Student is experiencing personal difficulties at home.Student is experiencing personal difficulties at home. Teacher has contact with student at school and is attempting to provide support according to Pastoral Care policy.Teacher has contact with student at school and is attempting to provide support according to Pastoral Care policy. Student ed teacher via internal school about some homework and included a personal question about family difficulties.Student ed teacher via internal school about some homework and included a personal question about family difficulties. Teacher speaks to a more senior colleague, who says they will follow it up.Teacher speaks to a more senior colleague, who says they will follow it up. Student sends 2 nd . Teacher responds to , sympathising with student’s situation and disclosing personal information about the themselves.Student sends 2 nd . Teacher responds to , sympathising with student’s situation and disclosing personal information about the themselves. Teacher becomes so concerned about student that they give student their personal mobile number for emergency purposes.Teacher becomes so concerned about student that they give student their personal mobile number for emergency purposes. Student phones teacher on weekend, very distressed and teacher agrees to meet with student.Student phones teacher on weekend, very distressed and teacher agrees to meet with student. A parent from the school sees the teacher & student laughing and talking in a fast food outlet and reports this to the school.A parent from the school sees the teacher & student laughing and talking in a fast food outlet and reports this to the school.

Professional Relationships Scenario 1: Was there a breach of professional standards?Was there a breach of professional standards? When did the breach occur?When did the breach occur? Why do you think the parent reported the teacher and student to the school?Why do you think the parent reported the teacher and student to the school? What would you advise the teacher to do differently?What would you advise the teacher to do differently? How is this addressed in the Code of Professional Standards?How is this addressed in the Code of Professional Standards?

Professional Relationships Scenario 2: After a school sports carnival a student misses the bus home. The only teacher left offered to drive the student home, as it is in the same direction of the teacher’s home.After a school sports carnival a student misses the bus home. The only teacher left offered to drive the student home, as it is in the same direction of the teacher’s home. The teacher informs the Principal the next day. The Principal makes a record of the information and advises the teacher not to transport a student home in the future.The teacher informs the Principal the next day. The Principal makes a record of the information and advises the teacher not to transport a student home in the future. 2 weeks later the same student misses the bus. The Principal is out of the school and the teacher decides to drive the student in their car to a bus stop 3km away to catch another bus.2 weeks later the same student misses the bus. The Principal is out of the school and the teacher decides to drive the student in their car to a bus stop 3km away to catch another bus. The teacher decides not to inform the Principal about this.The teacher decides not to inform the Principal about this. Shortly after the teacher sees this student walking home and is concerned for the safety of the child. The teacher offers to drive the student home and purchases a meal for the student from McDonalds meal for the student on the way.Shortly after the teacher sees this student walking home and is concerned for the safety of the child. The teacher offers to drive the student home and purchases a meal for the student from McDonalds meal for the student on the way.

Professional Relationships Scenario 2: What would you do if this teacher was a colleague of yours & you were aware of his/her actions?What would you do if this teacher was a colleague of yours & you were aware of his/her actions? Was there a breach of professional standards?Was there a breach of professional standards? When did the breach occur?When did the breach occur? What would you advise the teacher to do differently?What would you advise the teacher to do differently? How is this addressed in the Code of Professional Standards?How is this addressed in the Code of Professional Standards?

Professional Relationships Scenario 3: A teacher walks out onto the playground and witnesses 2 students yelling and threatening each other.A teacher walks out onto the playground and witnesses 2 students yelling and threatening each other. The teacher ignores the situation initially and continues on duty in another part of the playground.The teacher ignores the situation initially and continues on duty in another part of the playground. The teacher turns around and sees the 2 students physically fighting with each other.The teacher turns around and sees the 2 students physically fighting with each other. The teacher comes over and separates the students. The teacher grabs the arm of one of the students and as the child struggles to get away the teacher pulls that student by the shirt collar and holds him by the neck.The teacher comes over and separates the students. The teacher grabs the arm of one of the students and as the child struggles to get away the teacher pulls that student by the shirt collar and holds him by the neck. The teacher admonishes the student whilst maintaining this restraint for a few minutes.The teacher admonishes the student whilst maintaining this restraint for a few minutes.

Professional Relationships What were the Duty of Care obligations on this teacher?What were the Duty of Care obligations on this teacher? What would you advise the teacher to do differently?What would you advise the teacher to do differently? If the teacher had verbally instructed the students to stop fighting and this request had been ignored, do you think the actions of the teacher were appropriate?If the teacher had verbally instructed the students to stop fighting and this request had been ignored, do you think the actions of the teacher were appropriate? How is this addressed in the Code of Professional Standards?How is this addressed in the Code of Professional Standards?

Professional Relationships Scenario 4:  The teacher’s aide (TA) frequently tells students that their actions are ‘stupid’ and they should ‘go back to the kindergarten class’. Most students do not seem to react to these comments.  The TA is frustrated by the behaviour of some of the students and speaks to these students with hands clenched and in a loud, negative tone. One student feels that the TA’s comments are aggressive and intimidating.  This particularly challenging student starts throwing paper around in a small group lesson with the TA.  The TA has asked the student to stop, but the student continues. Then the TA says “No one can understand how your poor mother puts up with you”, “You are constantly being bad” “You must send your Mum crazy”. The TA continues with this type of comment towards the student, on and off for the remainder of the lesson.

Professional Relationships Was there a breach of professional standards?Was there a breach of professional standards? If you were in this situation, what would you say and do differently?If you were in this situation, what would you say and do differently? How might you support a colleague whom you knew was in this situation?How might you support a colleague whom you knew was in this situation?

OVERALL OVERALL  Respect the rights, dignity and worth of all members of the school community.  Be aware of your words and ACTions AND IMPORTANTLY the REactions that students have to them. the REactions that students have to them.  Raise all concerns and issues with the Principal.  Be aware that the actions of child-related employees (towards any person under the age of 18) are open to scrutiny at all times.