School principals have an obligation to ensure the health and safety of people in the workplace. This includes protecting their staff and students and taking reasonable steps to eliminate and minimise any risks. However, there is a growing trend in the overall threats of violence toward principals from parents. in 2020, the Australian Principal Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing Survey was conducted by the Australian Catholic University’s (ACU) Institute for Positive Psychology and Education (IPPE). This survey found that 62.1% of principals experienced offensive behaviour from parents in their roles. The survey also found that principals experienced threats of violence at a rate 5.5 times greater than the general population. So how can principals go about managing unacceptable parent behaviour and ensure their own health and safety at work? Below we discuss 5 areas that Principals and schools can focus on to minimise the occurrence of difficult parents.
1. Promote Positive Behaviours
Principals can promote respectful and safe parent behaviour at a school level as an effort to minimise aggressive and inappropriate behaviour by parents. One strategy can be to foster a positive relationship between parents and the school. Establishing such relationships involves promoting an environment of trust and respect for parents to provide open and honest communication as well as creating opportunities for feedback. More formal strategies involve the development of a Parent Code of Conduct or establishing a standard of behaviour in the enrolment contract between the parents and the school.
2. Prevention and De-escalation in the Early Stages
Where a parent’s behaviour falls short of the school’s requirements, principals should contact them to reinforce the school’s behavioural expectations of parents. This also provides an early intervention opportunity for the principal to meet with the parent and resolve any concerns.
3. Resolving Conflict
Parents who become aggressive or violent often do so as a reaction to feeling unheard or not taken seriously. As a result, parents may feel that the are not being treated with respect, which can trigger unwanted behaviour. This is often, and usually is in relation to a concern relating to their child. It is critical that schools have suitable complaints handling and management systems in place. This Includes appropriate policies and procedures to assist in managing potentially heightened emotions.
4. Intervention
Where a parent has not met the reasonable expectations of the school, the principal should approach the parent and help them establish a method of engagement that will uphold the school’s expectations.
- If this strategy is unsuccessful or the parent otherwise parent refuses to engage with the process, the principal might consider;
- Writing to the parent formally advising them of the impact that their behaviour has had on staff, students and where appropriate, other members of the school community; or
Providing the parent with an opportunity to nominate an agent, advocate or support person to communicate with the school on their behalf.
5. Exclusion
If a principal has exhausted the above strategies in managing unacceptable parent behaviour and a positive conclusion has not been reached, it may be considered necessary to exclude the parent from the school property by issuing a ‘Ban Notice’.
A principal can issue a written notice to the parent that informs them they do not have the consent of the principal to be on school grounds. In effect, the parent is ‘banned’ from the school and does not have a lawful excuse to enter the school. This notice may be served to the parent by the Police in circumstances where the parent has acted violently. In any case, a copy of the notice and details of service should be sent to the local Police for their records.
Inclosed Lands Protection Act 1901 (NSW)
In accordance with section 4(1) of the Act, it is an offence for a person to unlawfully enter a school without the consent of the principal, or to remain on school property after being asked to leave. If found guilty, this offence carries a maximum penalty of a $1,100 fine. In addition, under section 4A(1) of the Act, it is an offence for a person, including a parent to remain on the School property after being asked to leave who is also acting in a manner considered offensive to a reasonable person. If found guilty, this offence carries a maximum penalty of a $2,200 fine. Any defence to these offences would rely on the defendant demonstrating a reasonable excuse for the conduct.
The principal might consider commencing civil proceedings to obtain an order restraining them from entering the school grounds. This may be a measure taken if the previous measures fail to resolved the matter. However, Principals should only consider this action in extreme cases, and we strongly recommend seeking legal advice in these events.
If your school requires any advice or assistance in managing difficult parents, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Phone: (02) 9181 5001
Our Services: https://integroe.com.au/legal-services/
Legislation: Inclosed Lands Protection Act 1901 (NSW)