The National Student Wellbeing Program (NSWP) supports schools to promote the wellbeing of their students.

About the NSWP

The NSWP is delivered by a Pastoral Care Worker (PCW) or Student Wellbeing Support Officer (SWSO). It's not a religious program and does not provide religious instruction or religious counselling to students.

The program:

• provides supports that focus on the social and emotional wellbeing of students
• complements the existing student wellbeing programs and services offered by schools.

The NSWP in South Australian schools

The Australian Government provides $7.59 million each year to South Australian government, independent and Catholic schools for the NSWP through the project agreement (PDF 9.4MB).

Each state is required to form a Cross Sector Panel to make sure the terms of the project agreement are met.

The terms of reference (PDF 561 KB) defines the purpose and structure of the panel.

How government schools are assessed for funding

South Australian government schools apply to participate in the program. The application process for 2024 to 2027 funding has closed.

When government schools apply for funding, the department assesses each application. We consider:

• Measure of Socio-Economic Need (MOSEN) score
• level of existing wellbeing services at the school
• remoteness of the school
• number of enrolled students
• statement of need provided by the Principal that outlines the need of wellbeing services in school and the broader community
• evidence of ongoing community support for the NSWP service.

Non-government schools can contact their relevant association to find out more about the funding and application process.

See a list of South Australian Government schools that are participating in the program.

Program participation requirements

If a school wants to participate in the NSWP, they must consult with the school community and governing council:

• to find out if there is support for participation in the program
• to decide how to use the program’s funding to promote student wellbeing
• to ensure that there is ongoing community support for participation in the program – this should include an annual review of the decision to participate in the program.

Schools must inform the school community of participation in the program. This can be done through the school website, newsletter, enrolment packs and other means. They must advise of:

• the voluntary nature of the program
• the role and services provided by the pastoral care worker or student wellbeing support officer
• parents’ right to choose whether their child receives a service from the pastoral care worker or student wellbeing support officer.

Parental consent

Schools must respect a parent’s wishes about their child’s involvement in the program.

Parents are able to decide whether they want their child to have contact with the NSWP and pastoral care or wellbeing support services at school. This can include:

• involvement with all NSWP services
• involvement with some services but not others
• no involvement with the program, PCW or SWSO.

School must get parental consent for their child’s involvement in the program. This should be documented and kept in the child’s school files.

NSWP procedure for schools

The National Student Wellbeing Program procedure for schools (PDF 187 KB) (staff login required) gives staff and leaders the requirements and guidance to provide:

• pastoral care services
• wellbeing support services.

The procedure also explains the responsibility of schools providing pastoral care or wellbeing support services in line with the Australian Government National Student Wellbeing Program project agreement 2023 to 2027 (PDF 9.40MB) and our department's policies.

Program delivery options

Schools in the NSWP can choose to either:

• engage a PCW or SWSO from an approved service provider that has a contract with the department
• appoint a SWSO from their existing staff or employ a new staff member.

Schools negotiate and plan with their service provider or their wellbeing team for the delivery of a minimum of 300 hours of services over the course of a year.

See a list of South Australian government schools participating in the program and their program delivery option.

Engaging a PCW or SWSO from an external service provider

South Australian Government schools can choose one of the approved service providers to deliver their NSWP services.

Service providers must work with school leaders to recruit a PCW or a SWSO that suits the needs of the school community.

Schools should consider that each provider might have different:

• fee structures
• recruitment processes
• ways to deliver the program.

Service providers are considered the employers and must make sure employee requirements are met.

Appointing a SWSO in the school

Schools have the option to appoint their own SWSO (staff login required).

This could be a new position or extension of hours for someone already in a wellbeing support position.

Schools that appoint their own SWSO are considered the employers, and must make sure employee requirements are met.

Roles and responsibilities of PCWs and SWSOs

PCWs and SWSOs work under the supervision and guidance of the school’s trained wellbeing staff at all times to support individual or groups of students.

PCWs and SWSOs from an external service provider are not employed by schools, governing councils or the department. However, schools have the responsibility to provide day-to-day supervision, advice and management.

PCWs and SWSOs must

The role and responsibilities of PCWs and SWSOs could include whole-school, group or one-on-one services. They will work under supervision to:

• support student attendance, engagement and mental health
• support students in difficult or challenging situations such as during times of grief
• provide students with referrals to specialist services when required
• provide pastoral care and guidance to students
• support physical, emotional, social development and wellbeing of all students
• support an environment of cooperation and respecting a diversity of cultures and traditions
• coordinate volunteering activities and support
• coordinate and support breakfast programs
• provide lunch time activities
• support excursions and incursions
• provide and support parent and carer workshops.

PCWs or SWSOs must not

• proselytise, evangelise or advocate for a particular religious view or belief (proselytising is defined as trying 'to persuade someone to share your beliefs, especially religious or political beliefs' – Collins Dictionary)
• enter compromising situations where confidentiality may be sought by the student
• behave in a way that impacts the delivery of their services under the program
• perform professional or other services that they are not qualified for
• visit students’ homes to work with students and their families
• conduct religious services or ceremonies or lead in religious observances
• provide religious instruction or religious counselling to students
• promote external events run by religious organisations – for example, camps, excursions, youth conferences, guest speaker presentations
• become involved in parenting disputes, family law matters or other legal proceedings
• provide counselling services to students.

Feedback and complaints

We welcome feedback about the program, including good news stories:

• Education.NSWP@sa.gov.au
• National Student Wellbeing Program, Department for Education, 31 Flinders Street, Adelaide SA 5000
• (08) 8226 2002.

Complaints management

Schools and service providers must have a documented formal complaints management process for all complaints lodged. They must notify the department and affected schools within 2 business days about complaints or concerns. This applies to any that:

• impact the delivery of NSWP services in schools
• are about the PCW or SWSO.

School leaders or the department can:

• arrange an investigation of a complaint or incident
• investigate the actions of a PCW or SWSO and the delivery of NSWP services.

Complaints about the NSWP should be resolved at the school level, where possible.

For complaints that cannot be resolved at school level, the complainant can contact the department’s Customer Feedback Team via the school or preschool complaints process.

The complaints management process for the NSWP in South Australian Government schools is consistent with the department's complaints management process.