Elements and Performance Criteria
- Liaise with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander parents/community members on education issues under supervision of a teacher
- Explain difficulties in understanding aspects of the education program by parents/guardians according to the teacher's instructions and school policy and procedures
- Convene liaison meetings between teachers and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander parents/ guardians and community as requested by school/ centre staff or Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander groups
- Facilitate community contributions to adapt school/centre policies to meet education needs of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students
- Encourage parental involvement in meetings, assemblies and events
- Provide interpretation and translation for parents when there is a communication difficulty between parents and school/centre
- Assist parents with forms, vouchers and documents according to school/centre administration procedures
- Consult parents and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander elders in the community on sensitive issues of culture and language and the educational needs of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students
- Prepare and submit specific items for school/centre newsletters and community newspapers for final approval
- Provide mediation between the school/centre and parents or community, according to teacher/school/centre direction
- Represent the school/centre or system of schools (Department, Catholic or Independent schools) at community meetings as required
- Contribute appropriately at meetings held to discuss issues raised by the school/centre or community
- Identify and represent the educational needs of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students
- Identify and convey educational needs of student/s to the relevant teacher
- Encourage parents to identify and convey educational needs of students to the relevant teachers
- Offer appropriate suggestions to the relevant teacher on making the classroom environment supportive to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students
- Provide a first-point-of-contact between parents/community and teachers/staff when necessary
- Provide appropriate liaison and communication links between parents and the school/centre or department or system as required
- Liaise with other agencies to further the educational welfare of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students
- Maintain links with agencies for further education and training, according to the school/centre protocol
- Source and compile information on other services and agencies such as family and community health and welfare and access in consultation with teacher
- Provide assistance in coordination of work experience programs for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students
- Conduct interviews or home liaison visits to discuss the academic progress and or social development of students
- Inform students and parents/guardians of the time and purposes of the planned visit/liaison
- Discuss the academic and social progress of the student/s in a manner that is linguistically and culturally acceptable to the students and parents/guardians
- Use appropriate interpersonal skills to allow accurate and relevant exchange of information
- Carry out visits punctually and professionally
- Undertake record-keeping and reporting in accordance with school/centre standards and procedures
- Inform teacher/s and relevant staff of the date and nature of the visits