Kantar Public Research Report

National School Chaplaincy Programme Evaluation

Kantar Public Research Report

Prepared for:
The Australian Government Department of Education and Training

Table of Contents

1

National School Chaplaincy Programme Evaluation 1

Table of Contents 2

List of Figures & Tables 3

1.List of Figures 3

2.List of Tables 3

1.Introductory information 4

2.Executive Summary 6

2.1.1How has the NSCP been delivered across different schools? 8

2.1.2How is the NSCP currently viewed? 11

2.1.3What are the outcomes of the NSCP? 14

2.1.4Conclusions 17

3.Background information 17

Overarching objective: To understand the effectiveness of the NSCP 19

Design 21

Questionnaire 21

Qualitative sessions 22

Analysis 22

Significant differences 23

Limitations of the research 23

4.Details of results 24

3.4.1: How has the NSCP been delivered in schools? 24

4.4.2: How is the NSCP currently viewed? 24

5.4.3: What are the outcomes of the NSCP? 24

Sample 25

Profile of participating schools 26

How many students utilise the chaplain service? 27

What activities/strategies are implemented by schools to support the wellbeing of students and the broader school community? 29

What drives or impedes delivery and use of the chaplaincy activities/services? 34

What do students who utilise the programme consider to be the benefits of participation in the programme? 37

How are the chaplaincy services provided viewed by principals, students and parents? 39

What are the unmet needs of the programme for students and the broader school community and how can these be effectively addressed? 44

Is the programme supported? 49

How satisfied are principals, students and parents with the chaplaincy services and the activities/strategies which underpin them? 50

How important is the NSCP considered by the principal, chaplain, students and parents in supporting the wellbeing of students? 51

What impact does the programme have on students and the broader school community (including parents)? 53

What are the perceived outcomes (both positive and negative) of the programme? 56

Is the programme perceived to contribute to: a supportive and safe learning environment; an improvement in student engagement and connectedness; and creating an environment which promotes wellbeing? 59

How could delivery of the programme be changed or improved in the future? 65

5.Conclusions of the evaluation 68

6.Appendices 68

6.Profile of target audience groups 68

7.Survey Instruments 76

Principal Survey: 76

Chaplain Survey: 85

Parent Survey: 94

Student Survey: 106

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Please note that the data contained in this report has been prepared for the specific purpose of addressing the items contained in the project contract between Kantar Public Australia and The Australian Government Department of Education and Training. It may not be suitable for other applications. The use of this data for any other purpose should be discussed with the lead author. Kantar Public accepts no responsibility for unauthorized use of this data by a third party.

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List of Figures & Tables

1.List of Figures

2.List of Tables

1. Introductory information

The Australian Government committed $243.8 million to deliver the National School Chaplaincy Programme (NSCP). The programme assists over 3,000 schools to engage the services of a school chaplain. The aim of the NSCP is to support the emotional wellbeing of Australian school students by providing pastoral care services and strategies that support the broader school community.
The programme is operating over four years in the 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 school years.
The programme is funded by the Australian Government and delivered by the states and territories under the Project Agreement. The programme is delivered in accordance with the terms of the Intergovernmental Agreement Federal Financial Relations. A requirement of this agreement is an evaluation of the NSCP.
Under the agreement, each state and territory invited all schools (primary and secondary) in its jurisdiction to apply for NSCP funding. Each state and territory formed a cross sector panel consisting of government, Catholic and independent school representatives, to select and prioritise schools for NSCP funding. The programme commenced at the beginning of the 2015 school year.
The Australian Government Department of Education and Training required an evaluation to research the effectiveness of the NSCP in terms of how it is delivered, utilised and viewed within government, Catholic and independent schools. The overarching objective of this research was to understand the effectiveness of the NSCP, how the programme is implemented and, in particular, explore how the programme supports the emotional wellbeing of students and the broader school community. Feedback was gathered from principals, chaplains, students and parents.
Measurement of the outcome of ‘emotional wellbeing’ among students and the broader school community is a multi-dimensional factor which is highly individual and, as such, difficult to measure. In order to address the research question, the research objectives were deconstructed using a logical framework (provided on page 17). This established the grounding for all lines of enquiry from the outset, and underpins the analysis and reporting of recommendations.