The need for proactive risk management in Australian schools

2024 is proving to be a difficult year for educators, who are facing a range of issues that are on the rise, from student mental health challenges to teacher shortages and instances of school refusal.

The 2024 Ideagen Education Risk Report reveals a sector grappling with numerous risks.  Leading the way are human-resources risks linked to staff shortages and challenges attracting and retaining staff, as well as the increased threat of cyber incidents, with many schools indicating they lack sufficient policies to address crisis management, such as unexpected outages or cyber threats and cyber-related incidents.

In response to these challenges, schools are taking proactive steps to better manage risks, reduce the administrative burden among staff and work towards creating and maintaining a safe school environment.

Key findings from the report

Ideagen surveyed independent, Catholic and government school educators across Australia, forming the basis of its annual Education Risk Report, which highlights the largest challenges currently faced by schools. This year’s edition revealed a number of new and emerging challenges, including:

• Teacher shortages: With 311,600 full-time equivalent staff in schools across Australia, the sector is struggling to attract and retain high-quality teaching staff. This shortage is exacerbated by administrative burdens and concerns over occupational violence.
• Student mental health: A staggering 98% of survey respondents indicated that student mental health issues significantly impact their institutions. School refusal rates have also increased by 200% since 2023.
• Cyber security threats: 51% of schools lack well-developed policies and systems to manage cyber threats. The rise in cyber-attacks targeting educational institutions underscores the urgent need for robust cyber security measures.
• Crisis management deficiencies: Many schools are unprepared for emergency situations due to a significant lack of crisis management policies.

These findings indicate a critical need for proactive risk management strategies to safeguard the wellbeing of students, staff and the broader school community. This can be achieved by implementing robust policies and procedures that prioritise crisis management and cyber security.

The need for proactive risk management

The report's results indicate that the complex modern education landscape requires robust risk management to be embedded in the school's overall culture. There is a growing need for schools to adopt comprehensive strategies to mitigate potential crises. This includes addressing both immediate threats, such as cyber-attacks, as well as longer-term challenges like staff shortages and student mental health issues.

Proactive risk management involves anticipating potential risks, implementing preventative measures and preparing for swift and effective responses to emergencies. Forty-six per cent of schools are currently utilising an approach that monitors key strategic risks with designated owners and risk controls that are regularly reviewed and integrated into decision-making and strategy. By being proactive and adopting such strategies, schools can create safer, more resilient environments for learning and growth.

Addressing crisis management

By having well-defined procedures for emergency situations, schools demonstrate their commitment to the safety and security of their students and staff.

The following are key elements that can be included in a crisis management policy:

1. Establish clear plans: Schools must develop comprehensive crisis management plans that cover a wide range of scenarios, from natural disasters to human-induced crises.
2. Designate response teams: Having a designated crisis management team with clearly defined roles ensures a swift and effective response to emergencies.
3. Regular drills and training: Conducting regular drills and training sessions helps ensure that all staff members are prepared and aware of their responsibilities during a crisis.
4. Communication protocols: Implementing effective communication protocols ensures that accurate information is quickly disseminated within the school community and to external stakeholders.
5. Collaborate with local services: Working with local emergency services and community partners can help develop coordinated response plans tailored to the specific needs of the institution.
6. Post-crisis evaluation: Regularly reviewing and updating crisis management plans based on post-crisis evaluations helps identify areas for improvement and ensures ongoing preparedness.

By prioritising these elements, schools can significantly enhance their ability to manage crises effectively, safeguarding the wellbeing of their students and staff.

The importance of cyber security

Cyber security has emerged as a top risk for schools. There are several strategies that can be leveraged to help enhance their existing cyber-security strategies, including:

• Building cyber resilience: Understanding the difference between cyber security (protecting systems and data) and cyber safety (educating end-users) is crucial. Schools must implement robust cyber resilience practices, including preparation, response and recovery.
• Supporting resilience strategies: Utilise frameworks like the Australian Cyber Security Centre's (ACSC) Essential Eight to guide cyber security measures.
• Establish response plans: Develop and test incident response plans to ensure quick and effective responses to cyber incidents.
• Regular staff training: Providing ongoing training helps staff recognise and avoid risky behaviours, strengthening the overall security posture.
• Cyber security risk management: Implementing comprehensive risk management practices enables better decision-making and mitigates cyber-related vulnerabilities.

The recent incident from CrowdStrike highlights the importance of these strategies, the importance of preparing for the unexpected, and having proper systems and response plans in place. Our recent cyber security guide explores these strategies in greater detail.

The findings from the Education Risk Report underscore an increasing need for schools to adopt proactive risk management strategies. Schools must prioritise the development and implementation of comprehensive crisis management policies and enhance their cyber security measures. By doing so, they can better protect their students, staff and operations, ultimately ensuring a safer and more secure learning environment.

For a more comprehensive understanding of the challenges and potential solutions for the education sector in 2024, we encourage you to access the full free Education Risk Report for further insights.

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