May 2012      Australian students will soon have more support, with 1000 new chaplains and student welfare workers due to start work in schools.

Minister for School Education Peter Garrett has announced the 1000 new schools to take part in the Government’s National School Chaplaincy and Student Welfare Program.

“The Gillard Government last year announced a number of improvements to the program, including expanding it to include student welfare workers, strengthening the complaints process, and introducing minimum qualifications and benchmark standards for service providers,” Mr Garrett said.

"The chaplaincy program has been very popular among schools and the changes we introduced mean that not only are more schools now benefiting from the scheme, but school communities have more choice over how they wish to take part.

“Of the 1000 new schools taking part, 65 per cent applied for the services of a chaplain, and 35 per cent for a student welfare worker.”

Mr Garrett said as part of the expansion and continuation of the National School Chaplaincy and Student Welfare program, schools with existing chaplains or student welfare workers submitted applications to continue the services in their schools.

“Today we’re also announcing that 2,555 schools with existing chaplains or welfare workers are able to continue accessing the program, thanks to $222 million in funding over the next three years,” Mr Garrett said.

“Schools receive up to $72,000 over three years to offer chaplaincy or student welfare services to the school community.

“The 1000 new schools, which were selected from a vast range of applications, had to have the agreement of the school community before taking part in the program, and priority was given to schools in regional and remote areas, and in disadvantaged communities.

“I am delighted to offer this support to an additional 1000 schools,” Mr Garrett said.

For more information and a list of successful schools visit: DEEWR

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