How principals can navigate family law issues

How principals can navigate family law issues


In August, the 2017 Education Law Masterclass will bring together some of Australia’s top law experts together in Sydney to discuss the key legal issues facing principals.

The one day conference – to be held at Sydney’s Dockside Darling Harbour on Wednesday 30 August – will cover issues such as disability discrimination, litigation, online bullying and how to deal with difficult parents.

One of the speakers at the event will be Annabel Murray, the head of Family Lawyers, based in Sydney.

Murray will be speaking on how to understand the legal implications for educators whose students may be the subject of court orders, parental agreements or experiencing high parental conflict or parental separation without conflict.

Ahead of the Masterclass, The Educator asked Murray to outline the challenges inherent in the issue and the importance of recognising them.

 

What are the biggest challenges that school leaders face when dealing with family law?

 

The biggest challenges I expect will be not being drawn into the conflict but supporting your pupils including understanding the terms of any order they may be subject to or any risk issue that they may be exposed to and understanding the underlying law and what documents to request you be provided with for your file.

 

Why is this topic so important for principals and other school leaders?

 

The topic is important as many children experience parental conflict and educators needs to understand their obligations arising from the law – with or without court orders and commencing from the time of the enrolment application until the child completes their education at their school.

 

The Family Law Act is complex and issues such as parental responsibility, and live with /spend time with were introduced in the 2006 changes to the act. However, my experience is school forms ask about custody or don’t appear to understand what parents can or cannot do on their own.

 

If you could give one piece of advice to school leaders relating to the area of family law, what would it be?

 

Understand more about the law and a bit more about underlying dynamics facing the children you teach and the parents you are interacting with. Also keep accurate files notes including copies of any court orders and communications with parents/third parties on your files.

 

Related stories:

How to navigate disability discrimination

How should principals manage staff relationships

Education law event explores key challenges