The services provided by a chaplain should be appropriate to the school and student context in which he or she operates. Chaplains will be expected to provide general religious, personal advice, comfort and support to all students and staff, regardless of their religious denomination, irrespective of their religious beliefs.
It is important to note that school chaplains cannot provide services for which they are not qualified, for example, formal psychological assessments, or medical assessments or referrals.
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.
Participation in the National School Chaplaincy Program is voluntary. It is not compulsory for any student to participate.
Parents/caregivers must be informed about the availability of chaplaincy services in their school community.
Parents/caregivers must also be provided with information on the voluntary nature of the Program and explaining any processes for opting-out.