Risk Management – Schools

Resources

Risk register templates

Use the appropriate risk register template to document identified risks and existing risk management strategies (controls) and new risk management strategies (treatments).

All schools must assess their own school specific risks and fill in the register according to their own specific environment. The templates provide example risks with example of existing and new risk management strategies (controls and treatments) however these need to be reviewed or updated to suit your specific context.

• Child safety risk register (with examples) (DOCX)
• Risk assessment for local excursions (DOCX) (staff login required) – template for compulsory risk assessment for local excursions
• Excursions risk register and emergency management plan template (DOCX) – risk register template mandatory for all day, overnight, adventure activities, interstate, overseas excursions or travel by air or water. This includes examples and a template for the emergency management plan
• Hosting visits from overseas sister school risk register (with examples) (DOC) (staff login required)
• Registered bus operator risk register (with examples) (DOC) (staff login required)
• School Risk Register (with examples) (DOC) (staff login required) – general purpose risk register for a school documenting risks associated with objectives in annual implementation plan and school strategic plan as well as risks relating to school operations
• School risk register (DOC) (staff login required) – blank and template only

Risk management framework

For more information about the overarching framework of risk management in the department, refer to the department’s Risk management framework (DOCX) (staff login required) which:

• provides a structured and consistent approach for recognising, understanding and responding to risk
• embeds the practice and implementation of risk management as part of transparent, objective and considered decision making and strategic planning
• assists in the delivery high quality service under a duty of care
• supports compliance with government statutory regulations including requirements relating to occupational health and safety, emergency management and the Public Administration Act 2004 (Vic).

This Risk Management — Schools policy is a component of the department's risk management framework.

Tools to support schools undertake a risk management process

The following resources are available to support schools undertake a risk management process:

• Risk management process for schools pocket guide (PDF) – containing the following tools to support the risk management process:
  • DET school risk process flowchart
  • DET risk process – explaining the 7 step school risk management process
  • Consequence criteria guide
  • Control effectiveness chart
  • Likelihood criteria guide
  • Risk rating matrix
  • Risk acceptability chart
  • School cycle – where schools should use risk management
  • PESTLE analysis – used to establish the risk context
  • SWOT matrix analysis tool – used in risk identification
• Managing project risks in schools (DOCX)