What is Pastoral Care in Schools?

Pastoral care in schools, particularly within a Christian framework, is often delivered through Employee Assistance Programs (EAP). This service is a strategic offering by organisations such as Life to the Full, targeting the well-being of school staff, especially within Christian schools in Australia.

Here's a breakdown of how pastoral care is understood and applied within schools through EAP:

• Purpose and Scope

  ◦ EAPs involve workplaces, primarily Christian schools, contracting a third-party organisation (like Life to the Full) to provide well-being services for their staff.

  ◦ The scope extends beyond just workplace-related issues, covering a broad range of personal challenges such as difficulties with children at home, life direction, or spiritual direction.

  ◦ The ultimate aim for the staff is to cultivate greater peace, clarity, and psychological flexibility.

  ◦ For the schools themselves, providing EAP is considered a beneficial strategy, as it not only supports staff well-being but also demonstrates a level of "pastoral care" that parents may be seeking. It can even lead to financial savings for the workplace by reducing sick leave (estimated at $2.20 saved for every $1 spent on EAP).

• Service Delivery and Confidentiality

  ◦ The service typically provides a pre-agreed number of psychological sessions paid for by the school.

  ◦ Sessions can be conducted either in-person at the counselling office or online via telehealth, enabling nationwide access across Australia.

  ◦ A crucial aspect is strict confidentiality: even though the school covers the cost, the counsellor is generally prohibited from reporting session content back to school management, unless there's a risk of self-harm or illegal activity. This ensures staff feel safe to be open, addressing anxieties about potential negative impacts on their performance reviews.

  ◦ A minimum of three sessions per staff member is recommended to be truly effective. Employees can also access additional sessions through government subsidies after exhausting their EAP allocation.

• Context and Significance

  ◦ Christian schools are identified as a rapidly growing sector in Australia, partly because parents perceive them as offering a higher level of "wealth and pastoral care" compared to public schools.

  ◦ Organisations like Life to the Full prioritise partnering with Christian schools and organisations due to this growing demand and their capacity to invest in such services.

  ◦ A significant emphasis is placed on reducing the stigma associated with seeking mental health support, framing it as a "sign of true strength" rather than an admission of weakness or being "crazy".

Ready to take this important step?

Contact Life to the Full today to learn more and schedule your sessions.