School crisis management in the 21st century: an examination of school counsellors' preparedness and implications for training

This thesis investigated the range of critical incidents impacting on Australian schools, the type of training accessed by school counsellors and implications for school crisis management training in the Australian state of Victoria. The study had two general aims. The first was to identify Victorian school counsellors' level of crisis management training, and associated training needs. The second aim was to develop a comprehensive crisis management model which was specific to schools. One hundred and twenty school counsellors working in Victorian government schools completed a questionnaire that gathered data regarding demographic information, experiences in school crisis work, crisis management training accessed, school satisfaction with crisis responses, self care practices and crisis management training needs. Results showed that the majority of school counsellors had been required to respond to critical incidents involving death, suicide, sexual assaults and/or motor vehicle accidents. Counsellors reported that schools called on them for support and that most schools were very satisfied with the support they received, but the school counsellors indicated that they see the need to know more about school crisis management. Results also indicated that few of the school counsellors sampled had accessed pre-service crisis management training. A large portion had engaged in some in-service crisis management training. Results further indicated that theoretical model/clear procedures, current research, intervention skills, practice scenarios and school staff training were considered by school counsellors important aspects of school crisis management training needs. Based on the study findings, a new comprehensive crisis management model that could guide school crisis management practices and crisis management training for school counsellors was developed. Methodological considerations and recommendations for future research were discussed.