National Safe Schools Framework: implementation manual

The National Safe Schools Framework recognises that significant advances have been made throughout Australia in relation to safe and supportive learning environments, and that many schools now demonstrate good practice.  The framework aims to assist schools and the broader educational community to monitor the effectiveness of current strategies as new understandings are developed.  To support the implementation of the Framework in schools across Australia, the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) commissioned the development of an Implementation Manual to: increase school communities’ understanding of the Framework; guide school communities in using the principles and key elements of the Framework as the basis for auditing their policies, programmes and strategies; and guide implementation of the Framework at the whole school level. 

The manual contains three core components: the issues surrounding bullying, harassment, violence and child protection; assessing safety and support in the school environment; and planning, implementing and monitoring strategies for improvement.  The heart of the Implementation Manual is the process for auditing current activity within school communities against the Framework.  The audit process is intended to assist school communities to determine whether there is a need to refine current practices, or refocus attention and energy on emerging situations.