Proposed new laws would protect the identities of teachers suspended by the profession’s watchdog.
The laws would give the Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) discretion on whether it publicly identifies teachers given an interim suspension after being deemed an “unacceptable risk” to children due to an impairment…
Impairments include drug and alcohol dependency, mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, depression and anxiety, and physical disabilities such as brain or spinal cord injuries, or hearing and visual conditions.
Teachers are given interim suspensions when the VIT believes their impairment is the cause of an “unacceptable risk of harm to children”.
It is understood the watchdog would use the new powers when it believes publishing a teacher’s name would adversely impact on their mental health and wellbeing, and cause reputational harm.
Parents Victoria chief Gail McHardy warned the VIT needed to exercise its discretion appropriately.
“Parents’ primary concern is that child safety is never compromised and that the public can continue to have confidence in the regulatory system,” she said.
“If the legislation preserves VIT’s ability to publish information whenever it’s necessary to protect children or the public interest, then the focus should be on ensuring that discretion is exercised rigorously and transparently.”
A recent article in the Herald-Sun covers the issue of teachers who have been suspended by the Victorian Institute of Teaching, and whether in some circumstances they should not be publicly identified. The article begins:
Our CEO Gail McHardy is quoted in the article:
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