Increase the wellbeing workforce to provide access to mental health and wellbeing support for every Queensland primary and secondary state school student; and
Pilot a program placing General Practitioners in 50 state schools with secondary students 1 day per week.
Increasing the Wellbeing Workforce
The Student Wellbeing Package will ensure every Queensland primary and secondary state school student has access to a wellbeing professional at school. From 1 July 2021, schools and regions have been working closely to recruit additional wellbeing professionals, predominantly psychologists, to support students’ wellbeing and mental health at school. Where required, to meet the specific needs of school communities, regions and schools may employ other wellbeing professionals (including guidance officers with a counselling focus and social workers).
Every Queensland state school will benefit from the Student Wellbeing Package and schools do not need to apply to access additional support from wellbeing professionals. Funding is being provided in three phases over the duration of the initiative.
Additional wellbeing professionals provided through the Student Wellbeing Package will complement and add to the support already provided to students in Queensland state schools by guidance officers, school-based youth health nurses, youth support coordinators and other wellbeing support staff. Additional wellbeing professionals will work as part of schools’ established student support teams and contribute to schools’ whole-school approach to supporting students’ wellbeing and mental health.
Questions about additional wellbeing professionals being employed through the Student Wellbeing Package can be directed to StudentWellbeingPackage@qed.qld.gov.au.
GPs in Schools Pilot
The GPs in Schools Pilot will place General Practitioners (GPs) in 50 Queensland state schools with secondary students. The service will provide students with free access to a GP at school 1 day per week, removing barriers students may otherwise face to receiving timely and appropriate healthcare. The provision of this service will have positive impacts for students’ health and wellbeing and their readiness and ability to engage positively at school.
All Queensland state schools with secondary students were invited to apply to participate in the pilot by responding to an expression of interest, outlining the level of need in their school and how providing access to a GP at school would benefit their students’ health and wellbeing.
Following a great deal of interest from schools, a decision was made to expand the pilot from supporting 20 to 50 schools to provide a GP service to their secondary students.
Questions about the GPs in Schools Pilot can be directed to GPsinSchools@qed.qld.gov.au.
Source: https://education.qld.gov.au/students/student-health-safety-wellbeing/student-wellbeing-package
You are spoilt for choice at Spring Creek, with multiple schools located all within a short walk or drive. Find out more about the local lifestyle at Spring Creek here.