Policy Manual / 700 STUDENTS
712 Students at Extreme Risk / Council Meeting:
May 2002
Information: 0260761566 / DEECD Schools Reference Guide: Section 4.1 / Revised: August 2014
Manager: Assist. Prins. / Related Policies: Suicide Postvention Response Plan 2014 / Issue No: 1.4
STUDENTS AT EXTREME RISK
RATIONALE
Corryong College acknowledges that youth suicide is a serious problem in today’s society and has developed strategies to assist students to cope and survive in a complex and ever-changing world. The school participated in the Headspace program at the end of 2013 and has devised a ‘Suicide Postvention Response Plan’.
AIMS
- Development of a welcoming and supportive school culture wherein harassment and bullying are low and student connectedness to peers, teachers and the school is high so that student self-esteem is enhanced and the risk of students inflicting self harm is reduced.
- Maintenance of a high state of alertness to the potential for students to inflict self harm.
- Maintenance of a high capacity to respond to instances wherein students inflict self harm.
GUIDELINES
Accessing Support:
1.Teachers and Support Staff
- Respectfully acknowledge any comments or other behaviours from the student.
- Act to re-assure and support the student – request if you can assist.
- Notify a Year Level Leader, the Student Wellbeing Leader or the Principal.
- Debrief with one of the above people.
2.Student Wellbeing Leader
- Organisation of Crisis Counselling
- Immediate: MPS Corryong or Local General Practitioner
- Regional / District Support
- Long Term: Suicide Task Force
3.Principal
- Notification of Regional Office
- Notification of the DEECD’s Emergency Management Unit
- Notification of parent and school community, as appropriate
IMPLEMENTATION
1. Intervention
The College values all student programs improving student self esteem. Programs that encourage student leadership and student success are a vital part of the curriculum. The health curriculum at the school will focus on self development, acceptance of individual difference, and support mechanisms for students feeling despair.
2. Early Intervention
Within the College, Form Teachers, Year Level Leaders, and the Student Wellbeing Leader work together to provide a system of care for all students. Students that are deemed at risk are targeted for special programs and or counselling.
3. Crisis
Students of a high risk of suicide are referred to the Student Wellbeing Leader (or Assistant Principal), to ensure expert counselling can be arranged (DEECD approvedcounsellors, Headspace School Support 1800 688 248). In the event that counselling cannot be immediately obtained a student contract will be established by the Student Wellbeing Leader as a support to the child. Parents will usually be notified of any immediate crisis, however the Student Wellbeing Leader and the Principal will use their discretion regarding student self-harm in response to parent notification.
4. Post Notification
In the event of a suicide or an attempted suicide at the College the school will offer counselling support to students, staff, families and community members, as set out in Corryong College’s Suicide Postvention Response Plan 2014. Both short term and longer term strategies will be required.
712 Students At Extreme RiskPage 1 of 121/12/2005