Role statement - Department of Education

Department of Education

The focus of the Department of Education (DE) is to support and coordinate emergency mitigation, preparation, response and recovery activities within education communities. This includes the provision of safe learning facilities, guidance and support for the education community, including schools and children's services, in emergency management, promoting disaster risk resilience and risk reduction through a number of measures as well as provision of evidence informed, coordinated, wellbeing and psychosocial recovery supports.    

Mitigation

Activity Critical task alignment / activity source

Develop DE’s state-wide emergency management policy, including guidelines for all children’s services, government and non government schools that can prevent or reduce the risks associated with emergencies 

1.1, 1.3

Develop emergency management planning resources for all children’s services, government and non government schools including templates to assist identifying actions that support mitigation including resources and training

1.1, 1.2, 1.4

Response (including Relief)

Activity Critical task alignment / activity source

Coordinate emergency response for children’s services, government and non‑government schools

3.1

Provide a coordinated departmental response for emergencies at schools and at the scene of off‑site emergencies involving school buses, registered camps, excursions and outdoor activities, to ensure the safety of students and staff

3.2

Provide assistance and support to manage incidents involving parents, staff, students and media during emergencies

3.2

Provide an emergency notification and reporting service between government schools and emergency services through the department’s 24‑hour Security Services Unit 

2.1, 2.3, 3.5

Provide advice and suggested resources to non‑government schools

4.5, 6.1

Provide advice and support to early childhood services and non-government schools when required

3.2, 4.5, 15.2

Lead Response Support Agency (RSA) for the functional area of education

Table 10: Support agencies for response

Recovery

Activity Critical task alignment / activity source

Lead agency to:

 

  • help students and school staff of government schools to overcome the immediate impact of an emergency by providing specialist support services including providing psychological first aid and psychoeducation
3.1, 15.2, 15.3, 20.1
  • assess, restore, clear and rehabilitate DET managed public buildings and assets (e.g. public amenities, schools) 
3.1, 19.2, 19.3, 19.7

Recovery Lead Agency (RecLA) to provide support and advice to aid schools and early childhood services

Table 15: Recovery coordination: Social environment

Recovery Support Agency (RecSA) to asset owner/s or managing agency/s of schools to undertake the assessment, restoration, clean-up and rehabilitation of public buildings and assets

Table 17: Recovery coordination: Built environment

Assurance and Learning

For assurance and learning activities, refer directly to the agency for further information.