Australian Student Wellbeing Framework
A new national Framework for whole-school safety and wellbeing.
Australian Student Wellbeing Framework
The Australian Student Wellbeing Framework supports Australian schools to provide every student with the strongest foundation possible for them to reach their aspirations in learning and in life.
The vision of the Framework is that Australian schools are learning communities that promote student wellbeing, safety and positive relationships so that students can reach their full potential.
The Framework is based on evidence that demonstrates the strong association between safety, wellbeing and learning.
Leadership
Visible leadership to inspire positive school communities
Principle
Principals and school leaders play an active role in building a positive learning environment where the whole school community feels included, connected, safe and respected.
Effective practices
Develop the school’s vision and values, building on existing strengths, to enhance student learning and sustain the safety and wellbeing of the whole school community
Actively seek and incorporate students’ perspectives about safety and wellbeing in order to promote positive learning outcomes
Communicate the priorities for student learning, safety and wellbeing and encourage collaborative partnerships to enact the school’s vision and values
Collaboratively develop whole school policies, plans and structures for protecting the safety and promoting the wellbeing of staff, students, and families
Regularly monitor and review school capacity to address the safety and wellbeing of the whole school community in order to identify areas of strength and those requiring improvement
View related resourcesSupport
Wellbeing and support for positive behaviour
Principle
School staff, students and families share and cultivate an understanding of wellbeing and positive behaviour and how this supports effective teaching and learning.
Effective practices
Actively seek the involvement of school staff, students and families in the promotion and recognition of positive behaviour
Embed wellbeing and support for positive behaviour strategies that are evidence-informed, promote resilience and align with the needs of the school community
Implement a whole school systemic approach to wellbeing and positive behaviour with tiers of support to meet the diverse needs of staff, students and families
Engage in professional learning to support the consistent implementation of the school’s plan for wellbeing and support for positive behaviour
Critically analyse and evaluate school data to inform decision-making in order to effectively respond to the changing needs of students and families
View related resourcesInclusion
Inclusive and connected school culture
Principle
All members of the school community are active participants in building a welcoming school culture that values diversity, and fosters positive, respectful relationships.
Effective practices
Recognise and value the role and contribution of staff, students and families in building and sustaining school connectedness
Respect the diversity of the school community and implement proactive strategies in order to build a cohesive and culturally safe school
Teach, model and promote values and behaviour in order to create and maintain supportive and safe learning environments
Foster and maintain positive, caring and respectful student–peer, student–teacher, teacher–parent and teacher–teacher relationships
Engage in professional learning to build capacity for enhancing the social, emotional and learning outcomes of all students and in order to promote staff wellbeing
View related resourcesPartnerships
Effective family and community partnerships
Principle
Families and communities collaborate as partners with the school to support student learning, safety and wellbeing.
Effective practices
Proactively build collaborative relationships with families and communities to create a shared understanding of how to support student learning, safety and wellbeing
Develop strategies to sustain culturally respectful partnerships with families and communities that are welcoming and inclusive
Build partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and community organisations to ensure a culturally safe environment and a two-way reciprocal exchange of knowledge on wellbeing issues
Build links with community organisations, services and agencies to assist schools in the early identification of need and to collaboratively plan targeted support for all students and families, including those from vulnerable groups
Regularly monitor and review school capacity to respond to specific instances of student and family need to protect their safety and wellbeing within the context of the school’s urban, regional, rural or remote location
View related resourcesStudent Voice
Authentic student participation
Principle
Students are active participants in their own learning and wellbeing, feel connected and use their social and emotional skills to be respectful, resilient and safe.
Effective practices
Provide opportunities for authentic student decision-making over matters that affect them
Create and maintain inclusive and interactive learning environments to encourage active student participation to foster a sense of connectedness
Actively engage students through the use of evidence-informed, strengths-based approaches to enhance their own learning and wellbeing
Explicitly teach social and emotional skills using evidence-informed practices related to personal safety, resilience, help-seeking and protective behaviours across the curriculum
Collaborate with students to develop strategies to enhance wellbeing, promote safety and counter violence, bullying and abuse in all online and physical spaces
View related resourcesAs a parent, you play a vital role in contributing to learning communities that promote student wellbeing, safety and positive relationships.
Select each of the elements above to learn more about engaging with the Framework.