Teachers at Warrnambool in Victoria, Australia, have been experiencing work-related violence that has resulted in symptoms such as fear, trauma, anxiety, and sleep impairment. Despite WorkSafe’s findings, the Education Department has rejected claims that it has failed to provide a safe workplace, stating that efforts have been made to manage student behavior and support staff’s mental health. The department argued that psychological support was already available through employee assistance services and early intervention programs.
WorkSafe issued a notice to the school, calling for the provision of a full-time mental health worker on-site to support teachers dealing with the effects of work-related violence. After an internal review, WorkSafe agreed that a temporary mental health worker could be hired for six months, but the Education Department was still unsatisfied with the decision. The department has taken the case to VCAT in an attempt to have the notice lifted, stating that providing a full-time mental health worker at one campus would have implications for all Victorian government schools facing similar incidents.
The Education Department believes that implementing a full-time mental health worker at Warrnambool would have significant resource and cost implications for the state, as workplace violence is not limited to just one school. The department declined to provide data on the school’s behavioral performance since the notice was issued by WorkSafe 12 months ago, citing the ongoing legal proceedings. WorkSafe and the Education Department were approached for comment on the situation, with the department choosing not to provide further information at this time.
In response to the mental health challenges faced by teachers and school workers, the state budget for this year included $63.8 million in new spending to support their mental health and well-being. This funding will be used for early response approaches, return-to-work programs, and risk assessments to help educators cope with the stresses of their profession. Despite the challenges faced, Warrnambool principal Dave Clift expressed optimism in his recent message to the school community, highlighting the school’s progress and commitment to improvement.
Principal Clift mentioned that evidence is showing that the school is on the right track and on an improvement journey as a whole. He also announced that the WAVE program would be opening its doors to a limited number of junior students, indicating the school’s commitment to providing support and resources for those in need. The case regarding the provision of a mental health worker at Warrnambool is scheduled to be heard before VCAT later this month, where a decision will be made on how to address the ongoing challenges faced by teachers and staff dealing with work-related violence.