LawSense School Policy Writing Workshop

Optimising Effectiveness, Compliance and Legal Protection of Policies & Policy Updates

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Program

12.00    LawSense Welcome

12.05    Introductory Remarks

Bernadette Fay, Director Legal Risk and Compliance, Barker College

Policies are the backbone of a well-run school.  Properly structured policies assist the school to mitigate risk and ensure that all stakeholders are supported and facilitated to make good decisions at the coalface.  Well-structured, lawful, and tailored policies, that either build or are in line with your school’s culture are essential. In a fast-moving legal landscape (and minefield), policies need to be monitored and updated. This session will help you ensure your policy writing is effective in protecting the school from ongoing risks; that it simplifies and makes the school function and operations more efficient; and evolves policies in a way that is consistent with school values and direction. 

Ben Tallboys, Principal at Russell Kennedy Lawyers, consulting lawyer to AHISA, will guide you through a unique two-hour program, including case studies, best practice and tips and traps learned from extensive experience.  Bernadette Fay, Director Legal Risk and Compliance, Barker College, will provide practical insight and commentary:

12.15    Part 1: Examining Best Practice Policy Frameworks, Identifying Key Policies Required in the Current Environment, Examining Optimal Policy Structures, Key Clauses, and Developing and Updating Policies

Policy Frameworks

• Exploring best practice policy frameworks to optimise compliance and operations
• Understanding and optimising frameworks where system level policies are involved
• Simplifying structures and the relationship between policies to optimise workability, updates and effectiveness

Key Policies, Procedures and Updates in the Current Environment

• Identifying key policies in the current environment and what is driving change requiring updates, including:
  • Anti-Bullying Policy
  • Complaint Policy
  • Discipline Policy
  • Social Media
  • Psycholosocial hazards and policy updates
  • Privacy Policy
  • Information Security Policy 
• Reviewing key policy clauses and updates in different areas
• Exploring how the Board should be involved in policy development, review and changes
• Drafting procedures to effectively carry out policies
• Measuring the effectiveness of policy changes

1.15      Break

1.30      Part 2: Case Studies – Tailoring Policies to Suit Your School Circumstances, Culture and Values and Writing Effective Policy Updates

• Exploring how different school circumstances, culture and values can change policy approaches, key clauses and policy writing
• Exploring optimal approaches to policy writing:
  • how much detail is required?
  • writing to ensure you have the flexibility to manage different circumstances and are not “locked in” to a difficult position
  • examining what language and approaches to avoid
  • learnings from case studies and examples
• Examining effective approaches to consultation and feedback on policies, including who should provide feedback and preparing critical questions
• Exploring best practice staff training regarding policies
• Learning from case studies and examples of key policies and policy updates:
  • student supervision
  • students with disabilities
  • respectful workplace behaviour

Ben Tallboys, Principal, Russell Kennedy; Legal Counsel, Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (AHISA)

2.25      Concluding Remarks

2.30      Close of Webinar

Presenters / panelists include:

Bernadette Fay started her career in emergency and trauma nursing in Sydney before moving into leading Public Health roles including serving as the Queensland Women’s Health Officer. Bernadette was admitted as a solicitor in 2006. Bernadette became the lead investigator and managed enterprise risk for NSW Health in clinical and corporate governance roles before joining the NSW Health Care Complaints Commission, including leading the dispute resolution division. Bernadette has moved into the education sector, joining Barker College as the Director of Risk & Compliance.

Ben Tallboys provides sector-specific, practical legal solutions to schools across Australia. Ben is a passionate and effective advocate for principals dealing with complex matters relating to parents, staff and students, as well as their own employment.

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