Could someone please explain the role of a School Chaplaincy Program in a secular school?

[i-need-a-martini]

I don't understand how parents at secular public schools can accept this?

[lakeland27]

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/school-chaplains-worked-miracles/story-e6frg6nf-11111182...

[bluecat*dancing]

The religious slant applied to the support of children has no place in secular schools.

[azureline**]

What is the point?

the education department won't fund a psych/social worker for every school, chaplains are cheaper and funded elsewhere.

Not saying it's a good thing.or not. I have no children in school now and the grandies are too young to require it.

[azureline**]

Christian slant maybe?

It has a place if the majority are Christians, surely?

[para-sights]

they've reserved $245m for chaplain only employment and all but effectively dismissed those seeking secular social workers. I hope they advise the school leavers to become ballerinas

[bluecat*dancing]

In a christian school, yes, in a secular school, no.

[bella_again]

The role of the chaplain will depend on the school and flexibility of the program in which employs them.  Most are actually mental health trained and have qualifications in counselling. Some organisations require you to have degrees. Again that will depend on the organisation that are employing them.  ie Access may have different requirements than direct employment through the school.

They help to run programs, support kids through difficult times, work with families, offer pastoral care and spiritual support if asked. They support staff if needed. They assist during crisis and generally support the school community.  Some will be involved in christian education but again it depends on the role the school gives them. I believe the opposition is to that side of it.  In saying that there are parents that want them there and chaplains support people of all faiths as well as atheists if they do their job properly. Another words everyone supported regardless.They are not allowed to push faith on anyone.  They also work with existing welfare officers. I can understand that there are some who dislike the faith side but really no matter who you are you have a belief system regardless so sometimes I wonder if more of an issue is made of it than there needs to be.

I think the program should continue to exist with schools having flexibility as to how they can use their skills to better the school community with clear guidelines. 

[boris1gary]

The Australian Psychological Society described the decision as "appalling". "There are no reasonable standards of quality of training for people who take on essentially counselling roles in the school situation," spokesman and psychologist David Stokes said.

[bella_again]

Well there are actually if you are counselling trained you also have ACA membership and the Christian counselling association has stricter standards.  Most have degrees in the field.  So I don't see the issue.

But a chaplain is not supposed to undertake counselling anyway as part of their role.

[bella_again]

I should add that not all welfare officers are phycologists, they have counselling qualifications.  So again it would depend on the school. Maybe they need to look at the guidelines and restructure an approach that will best meet the students needs and create better outcomes.

I'm not saying the program is perfect but just to get on ones high horse and assume its useless is a shame too.   Chaplains play a very important part of the school community regardless of belief systems.  They are not all christian either.