Law for School Counsellors
Issues covered include: legal risks to school counsellors, professional misconduct and negligence, best practice, reporting child abuse, family court proceedings, student wellbeing supporting transgender students.
Description
Designed to help clarify the legal framework in which school counsellors, psychologists, chaplains, and leaders responsible for the student welfare function, this conference offers you the opportunity to learn about key legal issues impacting your school. Examine what constitutes professional misconduct and negligence, how you are tracking in relation to your legal obligations to report child abuse, your role when family court proceedings impact on student wellbeing, and supporting transgender students.
Attend and earn 6 CPD units in Substantive Law
Session 1
The School Counsellor’s Duty of Care
Chair: Beth Ellerman, Director of Finance and Operations, Danebank
WHEN THE SCHOOL COUNSELLOR IS IN THE FIRING LINE
9.00am to 10.45 am: School Counsellors, Professional Misconduct and Breach of Duty
Walking the Line: Professional Boundaries for Counsellors
Examine professional boundaries in the context of school counsellors, including the ethical obligations and unforeseen risks that may expose a counsellor personally and professionally. With reference to examples you will review the consequences of boundaries being crossed and the legal and professional impact on the counsellor.
Presented by Wendy Blacker Principal, Wendy Blacker Lawyers
What is a Breach of Duty of Care for School Counsellors?
Examine the duty of care owed by your school generally, and counsellors in particular. Explore what constitutes a breach of that duty of care and what happens when a school and/or a school counsellor is sued, with a discussion of some case examples.
Presented by Kathryn Whybourne, Senior Solicitor, Wendy Blacker Lawyers
Counselling and Confidentiality: Privacy vs Protection
Focus on the legal obligations of disclosure and the fine balance between privacy vs protection.
Presented by Jacqueline Haski, Director, Wendy Blacker Lawyers
10.45am to 11.00am Morning Tea
11.00am to 11.45am: School Counsellors and the Duty to Report Child Abuse: Recognising the Risks of Being an Agent for Change
- When it has gone wrong: the public school’s experience
- Cognitive bias
- Wrestling with ambiguity
- Normalising a child safe culture including reporting and sharing information
- Being fair but firm when responding to boundary crossing by employees
Presented by David Wright-Smith, Director, Child Protection Investigations, Department of Education
11.45am to 12.30pm: Is it a Crime Not to Report Child Abuse?
- The Criminal Legislation Amendment (Child Sexual Abuse) Act 2018
- The new offences
- Defences and exceptions
- Impact of the new offences on a school’s student well-being team
Presented by Laura Flanagan, Solicitor, Carroll & O'Dea
12.30pm to 1.15pm Lunch
Session 2
School Counsellors Supporting Students: Advice from the Experts
Chair: Liz Cannon, Director of Wellbeing and Counselling, Abbotsleigh School
1.15pm to 2.15pm: Family Law Conflicts: Critical Issues for School Counsellors
- Understanding parent rights to information where there are no court orders
- Processes and strategies to provide effective management of Parenting Orders
- Family violence & Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders
- Dealing with requests for referrals and reports & navigating pitfalls
- Dealing with subpoenas
Presented by Alicia Elliott, Director, Holmes Donnelly & Co. Solicitors and Melanie Stern, Managing Associate, Stern Law Solicitors
2.15pm to 3.15pm: Supporting Transgender and Gender Diverse Students at School
The Legal Framework
- Legal rights and protections for transgender and gender diverse students
- Differences between NSW and federal legislation when dealing with discrimination on the basis of gender identity
- Do legal rights and protections differ for state, independent and religious schools?
Presented by James Emmett, Barrister, Banco Chambers, co-chair, Twenty10 incorporating the Gay and Lesbian Counselling Services of NSW
The Psychologist’s Perspective
- Working with young gender diverse people as they navigate the school environment
- Working with parents and families of young gender diverse people
- Case studies: best and worst therapeutic interventions experienced by students presenting with issues around gender
Presented by Julie Catt, Psychologist, Catt & Associates Psychology , co-chair, Twenty10 incorporating the Gay and Lesbian Counselling Services of NSW
Panel Discussion and Q&A with the Audience
3.15pm to 3.30pm Afternoon Tea
3.30pm to 4.30pm: Understanding and Navigating Informed Consent for Students and Parents
- Understanding the legal principles around consent
- When can a child give consent?
- What evidence do you need to prove consent
Presented by Alistair Macpherson, Managing Partner, Corney & Lind Lawyers
Venue
Cliftons Sydney
Level 3, 10 Spring Street
Sydney 2000
NSW
Australia
Directions
Nearby Public Transport:
Train Stations - Wynyard 400m OR Martin Place 500m
Bus Interchange - Clarence Street 450m
Ferry - Circular Quay 1.2km
Parking Information
Parking not included in your registration. Here are some options below.
Secure Park 20 Bond Street - click here for rates
Wilson Park 1 O'Connell Street - click here for rates
Wilson Park 31 Bond Street - click here for rates