The Queensland Government has announced the appointment of 30 full-time Health and Safety Coordinators to increase support for special schools.
Minister for Education, John-Paul Langbroek said all of Queensland’s 46 special schools will benefit from the staffing boost, which follows the announcement by the State Government for an additional 140 Workplace Health and Safety Officers for all state schools over four years.
The Minister said new staff will work directly with principals and school leaders to improve safety, reduce behavioural incidents and foster a positive and safe school culture.
“Every teacher, staff member and student deserves to feel safe in our schools and we’re boosting support with more boots on the ground,” Minister Langbroek said.
“It’s unacceptable that a small number of students are doing the wrong thing and that’s why we’re backing our teachers with more support to stamp it out.
“These positions will play a vital role in improving safety, but they’re also helping to reduce teacher workloads, which is particularly important in high-needs school environments.
“We are committed to improving workplace conditions and cutting red tape for teachers and there will be more to come in both of these areas this year,” he said.
Aspley Special School Principal, Kath McDonald welcomed the appointment of the safety staff.
“We will be able to implement a more proactive and consistent approach to managing risks which is complex and ongoing in a special school setting,” Principal McDonald said.
“The Coordinator will reduce the workplace health and safety workload currently carried by school leaders, while ensuring incidents, hazards and follow-up actions are managed effectively and consistently.
“This will enable school leaders to focus on their core role of supporting students and improving outcomes aligned with school priorities.”
The new Workplace Health and Safety Coordinator positions for Queensland schools are being funded through the landmark Better and Fairer Schools Agreement, which fully funds state schools for the first time in Queensland’s history.
