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MEDIA RELEASE
7 September 2011
Introducing new benchmark standards for service providers, including the provision of ongoing professional development and support, monitoring of service delivery, and appropriate risk management and compliance requirements. Strengthening the programs complaints management processes so that each school will be required to keep a complaints log and have a designated complaints officer, and parents and students are fully informed about how they can raise any concerns they may have.
Mr Garrett said the changes reflected the feedback received throughout the Governments extensive community consultation process earlier this year. They also implement a number of recommendations from the Commonwealth Ombudsman, particularly around strengthened administrative processes and requiring minimum qualifications. It was great to see so many organisations, schools and individuals taking part in our consultation and their feedback and suggestions played an important part in the Governments decisions to expand the scheme, he said. There are already almost 2700 schools taking part in the program, and the Gillard Government has committed an additional $222 million to extend the scheme to 2014 and provide funding for up to 1000 more schools. We want as many schools as possible to benefit from what has been a popular and successful program. The new guidelines will be published shortly. More information on the changes to the scheme is contained in the attached fact sheet and online at www.deewr.gov.au/schoolchaplaincy. Ministers Media Contact: Lisa Miller 0419 124 717