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

Yana Hall, Risk and Compliance Manager, Mentone Grammar

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.  Yana Hall  from Mentone Grammar will provide practical insight.

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
• 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 Lawyers; Legal Consultant to Association of Heads of Independent Schools of Australia (AHISA)

2.25      Concluding Remarks

2.30      Close of Webinar

Presenters / panelists include:

	Yana Hall has spent the past 10 years as the Risk and Compliance Manager at Mentone Grammar – a large K – 12 independent school in Melbourne – where she has leveraged her extensive background in manufacturing, health, and mining to develop a pragmatic approach to risk management, health and safety, and policy implementation.
	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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