Schooling and Education
Schooling and Education
FAQs about schooling and education during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic is bringing new challenges to families and co-parents, including disruption to normal schooling and education. During this temporary period, you may need to make changes to your normal parenting arrangements. Where possible and safe, parents should work together to be flexible in their co-parenting and come to arrangements that provide maximum benefits to their children in every sense.
Measures to control the spread of COVID-19 including school attendance are changing rapidly, so continue to pay attention to the latest information and updates from reputable sources such as www.australia.gov.au and www.health.gov.au. The National Coronavirus Hotline in available 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 1800 020 080.
Co-parenting is difficult and may be more challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is more important than ever that children have a safe and secure environment in each household, including access to learning.
If you are concerned about the children, as a first step, and only if it is safe to do so, try to communicate with the other parent to let them know your concerns and try to come up with practical solutions. Each parent should always consider the safety and best interests of the child, but also appreciate the concerns of the other parent when attempting to reach agreement. Options for the children may include agreeing on length of time left alone, alternative supervision, emergency contacts or regular phone/video check-ins throughout the day.
The Raising Children Network site has information about children at home alone available here.
If you feel you need further guidance, the Family Relationships Advice Line can provide information, advice and telephone-based Family Dispute Resolution services to assist parents and carers to discuss any issues that arise and help them come to an agreement. The Family Relationships Advice Line can be contacted on 1800 050 321 or visit the website.
If you or your children are feeling unsafe or experiencing domestic or family violence, you can access information, counselling and support through 1800RESPECT website or call 1800 737 732. 1800RESPECT are open 24 hours a day during COVID-19.
If you believe you are in immediate danger please contact the Police in your State on 000.
As a first step, and only if it is safe to do so, try to communicate with the other parent to let them know your concerns and try to come up with a practical solution. Each parent should always consider the safety and best interests of the child, but also appreciate the concerns of the other parent when attempting to reach agreement. Options may include negotiating a partial return to school, agreeing on a future return date or agreeing to follow state government advice (see below).
The Family Relationships Advice Line can provide information, advice and telephone-based Family Dispute Resolution services to assist parents and carers to discuss any issues that arise and help them come to an agreement. The Family Relationships Advice Line can be contacted on 1800 050 321 or visit the website.
Federal and state governments agree on the importance of education and have been committed to ensuring children continue to have access to learning during this COVID-19 pandemic. Decisions and information about school attendance in each state have been changing regularly as governments respond to the ongoing needs of education whilst minimising the spread of COVID-19.
For the latest information about education in your state visit the relevant state site as per links below.
What is consistent is that all schools must adopt the recommended health advice aimed at minimising the risk and spread of COVID-19. Precautions include ensuring good hygiene and access to sanitiser, adhering to physical distancing, and having policies in place to identify and respond to any COVID-19 cases. Full details can be found here.
SCHOOL ATTENDANCE INFORMATION BY STATE
If you or your children are feeling unsafe or experiencing domestic or family violence, you can access information, counselling and support through 1800RESPECT website or call 1800 737 732. 1800RESPECT are open 24 hours a day during COVID-19.
If you believe you are in immediate danger please contact the Police in your State on 000.
As parents, you are responsible for ensuring your children are safe and free from risk of harm. It is more important than ever that children feel safe and secure. Remember your co-parent is likely doing their best to manage parenting during a time of uncertainty.
Try to you work as a team to keep your child’s best interests as your main priority. Your children may feel more secure if there are consistent rules across households – for example, rules about sibling interaction. It is also important that there are rules that ensure safety and respect first, especially between other children in the household.
Blended families can be complicated and require effort to establish new rules and boundaries. Your co-parent may be working through how to manage differing rules across differing households.
If you are concerned, as a first step, and only if it is safe to do so, try to communicate with the other parent to let them know your concerns and try to come up with practical solutions. Each parent should always consider the safety and best interests of the child, but also appreciate the concerns of the other parent when attempting to reach agreement. Options may include agreeing on consistent rules, especially between siblings or others in the household, agreeing on length of time left alone and regular phone/video check-ins throughout the day.
The Raising Children Network has useful information about co-parenting and blended families.
The Family Court of Australia has Frequently Asked Questions for co-parenting during COVID-19.
If you feel you need further guidance, the Family Relationships Advice Line can provide information, advice and telephone-based Family Dispute Resolution services to assist parents and carers to discuss any issues that arise and help them come to an agreement. The Family Relationships Advice Line can be contacted on 1800 050 321 or visit the website.
If you or your children are feeling unsafe or experiencing domestic or family violence, you can access information, counselling and support through 1800RESPECT website or call 1800 737 732. 1800RESPECT are open 24 hours a day during COVID-19.
If you believe you are in immediate danger please contact the Police in your State on 000.