‘Next practice’ for pastoral care and student wellbeing in schools

In Australia, the National Safe Schools Framework [2] sets as a key priority the need for a shared vision of physical and emotional wellbeing for all students in Australian schools, as well as identifying guiding principles and standards to inform practice and assist school communities to build safe and supportive environments. Increasing interest in the emotional health and pastoral care of children in schools has resulted in research to examine how curriculum and pastoral practice can contribute to students’ social, emotional and behavioural wellbeing [3]. This article reviews the definition of pastoral care and successful practice models for pastoral care, offering recommendations for Australian schools.