OVA arising from student behaviour
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 130 No 3, 23 May 2025, page no 23.
The Department of Education has contracted Griffith University to consult with staff and develop a proposal for a professional learning program on preventing and responding to occupational violence and aggression (OVA) arising from student behaviour (OVA-SB).
Project components include:
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Phase 1: Investigative research study |
Phase 2: Needs analysis |
Phase 3: OVA-SB resources |
Phase 4: Training proposal |
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Purpose: Review, research, and report on evidence-based OVA-SB practice. |
Purpose: Understand the lived experiences and needs of school staff to prevent, manage, and respond to OVA-SB. This phase will consist of a school staff survey and focus group discussions with school staff. Unions are also being consulted. The outcome of this phase will be a “consultation insights report”. |
The following resources will be developed based on evidence from phases 1 and 2:
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To support staff to prevent and manage OVA-SB in schools. |
Currently Phase 2 is underway and Griffith University is visiting each region to offer in-person focus groups during Term 2. Online sessions are also offered. Following the consultation, Griffith University will develop a consultation insights report and provide its findings to the department to inform a statewide professional learning program.
The face-to-face and online workshops are with school, regional and central office staff. The purpose is to hear directly from staff on their thoughts and experiences of occupational violence and aggression arising from student behaviour — what works in schools, what is needed to help prevent incidents, and what support staff require to be able to respond. Unions and associations have also been asked to participate in the consultation.
The QTU strongly recommends that our members attend either the face-to-face or online workshops. It is imperative that all members, no matter what position they are in, take up this opportunity to provide their frontline experience of what is happening with regards to OVA-SB, including its impacts.
To register to attend an in-person or online focus group session, please visit the Department of Education OnePortal page (Department of Education staff only).
Paige Bousen
Workplace Health & Safety Organiser
Special school cuts
In recent months, the QTU has actively pursued multiple avenues to escalate concerns and seek meaningful action on staffing cuts in special schools.
This has included:
Direct engagement with the Minister for Education: The Union raised the issue of staffing reductions, emphasising the unacceptable impact on both staff and students. The QTU called for an urgent review of staffing arrangements in special schools.
Formal escalation through departmental committees: The matter was also presented at the Peak Union Health, Safety and Wellbeing Committee, where the QTU highlighted the link between inadequate staffing, increased risks of occupational violence and aggression (OVA), and the Department of Education’s obligations under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011. Discussions in this forum are ongoing.
Resource Development and Campaign Strategy
Recognising the urgent need for both immediate support and long-term solutions, the QTU is developing a suite of resources as part of its Occupational Violence and Aggression Campaign. These materials are specifically designed to support members in special schools, and will:
- provide guidance on escalating and managing workplace health and safety (WHS) issues
- assist members in advocating for safer working conditions
- support the growth of QTU membership in special schools by promoting collective action for safer, better-resourced workplaces.
These resources will also be available to branches and sub-branches to support local campaigning and, where necessary, escalate collective action.
Special school leaders are encouraged to keep an eye out for information and invitations from the QTU to engage in focused discussions and actions.