A review has called for the National School Chaplaincy Program to include secular support staff. 

In 2006, the federally-funded National School Chaplaincy Program (NSCP) was introduced, allowing taxpayer funds to be put towards hiring religious staff members in schools. About 3,000 schools engage the services of a chaplain each year.

Last year, Federal Education Minister Jason Clare announced schools would be given the choice to hire either a chaplain or secular student wellbeing officer from 2023, returning to a policy put in place under the Rudd and Gillard governments.

The government also tasked management consulting firm Dandolopartners to examine the NSCP. Its final report was made public this week.

A total of six recommendations were made, including the need for a comprehensive review of the NSCP's role in the long term.

The report's authors said more and more children need support, and the NSCP has played a “valuable role in supporting student wellbeing”.

It found chaplains could create a “more safe and supportive school environment” and “empower students by providing them with encouragement, advice and strategies”.

But the report found that the religious affiliation of the chaplain role was the most-contested part of the program.

“Some stakeholders hold a particularly strong view that funding chaplains in schools is inappropriate,” the report said.

“Others hold a particularly strong view that funding chaplains in schools is important.

“Most stakeholders agree the program is necessary and valuable, particularly those with direct experience of, or interaction with, the program.”

The scheme is meant to prevent chaplains from attempting to convert people to their faith, but the review found that the rules around this need to be tightened. 

It says the government should provide “clearly documented and defined activities that are out of scope for the program, to manage the risk of chaplains delivering services that go beyond their scope, and ensure they are focusing on delivering services that will directly support student wellbeing”, the report said, calling on departments to “work with states and territories to provide schools with guidance material for principals and other school leaders on the chaplain role”. 

The report's authors also highlighted serious differences in how the NSCP is being delivered across the different jurisdictions when it comes to funding, oversight, complaints processes, confidentiality and professional development.

It calls for more accountability and oversight mechanisms, such as a code of conduct, a complaints mechanism and a confidentiality framework.

It also agrees with the government’s plan to allow schools to either hire a chaplain or student wellbeing officers.

It recommended changing the name of the program too.

“The Australian Government should consider re-naming the NSCP to ensure it aligns with the focus on the function of supporting student wellbeing (rather than chaplains as a professional group),” the report said.

“A changed program name may not only reduce the polarisation of community views, but also create a more-inclusive program.”

Additionally, the review recommends the government look at different ways to fund the NSCP into the future.

“The current funding and employment model is exacerbating challenges attracting and retaining chaplains,” the report said.

“This is largely due to the part-time nature of the role … the lack of job security … low remuneration that has not kept pace with the increased cost of living.

“The nature of the chaplain role requires time, several stakeholders described how chaplain longevity is required to build relationships and trust in the community and with students.”

The full report is accessible here.