School Law Summit 2019
Issues covered include: Family court proceedings, Subpoena, Separation, Divorce, Family violence, Litigation, Evidence, New Redress Scheme, Child Safety Obligations, Royal Commission, Civil Claims for Institutional Abuse, Criminal Liability and Sexual Abuse, Child Safe Standards.
Description
Don’t be overwhelmed by the legal risks facing schools when a family breakdown occurs and prepare your school to handle the civil and criminal liabilities that arise from maintaining a child safe school.
Attend and earn 6 CPD units including:
5 units in Substantive Law
1 unit in Professional Skills
This conference was recorded in NSW on 31 May 2019
Session 1
Comprehensive Guide to Family Law for Education Professionals
Chair: Rhonda Robson, Deputy Head of School (Primary), St Andrews Cathedral School
9.00am to 9.40am: The Legal Process and Key Players in Family Court Proceedings
Map out the journey that parents and children travel between a separation and final decision/orders relating to children so you can understand your role in the process
Presented by Melanie Stern, Senior Associate, Holmes Donnelly
9.40am to 10.20am: Examining Family Law Issues in Schools
- Shared and sole parental responsibility
- Live with arrangements
- Spend time with arrangements
- Subpoena to Produce Documents
- The role of an independent children’s lawyer
Presented by Marc Dowdle, Senior Associate, Mills Oakley
Professional Skills
10.20am to 11.00am: Understanding the Child’s Experience When Parents Separate
- Separation: the first three months
- Helping children navigate grief and change
- The perils of unresolved conflict on children post separation
- Helping children cope: the role of the educator
Presented by Lyn Singleton, Accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, Relationspace
11.00am to 11.15am Morning Tea
11.15am to 11.55am: Family Violence and the School Caught in the Middle
- What is family violence?
- Analysis of State and Federal legislation including a discussion of the difference between the two
- What you need to know about AVOs and their impact on student welfare
- Conflict between Family Court orders and AVOs
- The school gate changeover in situations of family violence
Presented by Janet Loughman, Principal Solicitor, Women’s Legal Service NSW
11.55am to 12.35pm: Surviving the Litigation Process - Strategies for Schools
You’ve been asked to give evidence at a hearing. This presentation will assist you by providing:
- Guidance on efficient and effective preparation for the hearing
- Strategies for working with lawyers and others during the trial
- Checklist to ensure efficient and effective mop up post litigation
Presented by Margaret Baker, Principal Legal Officer, Department of Education
Session 2
Schools Protecting Children and What Happens When Things Go Wrong
Chair: Chris Owens, Senior Legal Counsel, Catholic Schools NSW
1.30pm to 2.10pm: How the New Redress Scheme Works
- An A-Z introduction to the Redress Scheme
- Key challenges for participating institutions
- What are the implications for applicants who have settled civil claims against a participating institution?
- Case study: responding to a ‘Request for Information’ from the National Scheme for a sexual assault that occurred over 50 years ago
Presented by Jessica Hackett, Senior Solicitor, NSW Crown Solicitor’s Office, Senior Legal Officer, Department of Education (secondee)
2.10pm to 2.50pm: Child Safety Obligations and Managing Risks
- The 10 Royal Commission elements of a child safe institution
- Managing a reportable conduct matter
- Updating your child protection, code of conduct & social media policies
- Volunteers in schools including regular short/long term homestays and billeting
- Ensuring child safety in boarding schools
Presented by Natasha Mewing, Director, Employment Related Child Protection, NSW Ombudsman and Maria Costa, Senior Child Protection Advisor, AISNSW
2.50pm to 3.20pm: Litigating Civil Claims for Institutional Abuse and Your School
- Making a claim of sexual abuse both historic and present
- Guiding a school who is required to respond to a claim of sexual abuse both historic and present
Presented by Danielle de Paoli, Special Counsel, Maurice Blackburn and Wendy Blacker, Partner, Wendy Blacker Lawyers
3.20pm to 3.35pm Afternoon Tea
3.35pm to 4.15pm: Implications of the New Framework in NSW for Criminal Liability and Sexual Abuse
- The Criminal Legislation Amendment (Child Sexual Abuse) Bill 2018
- The new offences
- Defences and exceptions
- Implications for individuals & institutions
Presented by Robyn Richardson, Principal, Robyn Richardson Law
4.15pm to 5.00pm: INTERACTIVE PANEL DISCUSSION: Child Safe Standards: Q&A, War Stories and Lessons Learned
Bring your questions for a targeted discussion on the Child Safe Standards and your legal duty to protect children from abuse
Panellists:
Janet Schorer, Children’s Guardian, Office of the Children’s Guardian
Natasha Mewing, Director, Employment Related Child Protection, NSW Ombudsman
Chris Owens, Senior Legal Counsel, Catholic Schools NSW
Venue
Cliftons Sydney
Level 3, 10 Spring Street
Sydney 2000
NSW
Australia