Principles for parent & carer engagement

The Department’s Parent and Carer Engagement Framework identifies guiding principles that aim to strengthen engagement between parents, carers and the education system.

This Framework has been developed based on research that included interviews with a diverse group of parents and carers across NSW, as well as peak bodies and advocacy groups.

This helped us better understand what’s important to parents and carers, acknowledging their role in enabling positive student wellbeing and outcomes, in partnership with school staff.

The 5 principles of effective engagement are:

1. Enable Access
2. Communicate Openly
3. Partner Together
4. Understand Context
5. Guide Choices

Benefits of engaging parents and carers

Evidence underscores the significance of strong parent and carer engagement throughout a child's school journey. It reflects the Department's commitment to foster positive learning and well-being outcomes for students. Effective engagement is also key for school staff to feel supported.

Research shows that when schools effectively engage parents and carers, improved outcomes are derived in the following ways.

Students who have engaged parents and carers:

• do better academically​
• have increased social-emotional competencies​
• have more positive long-term outcomes such as decreased use of drugs and alcohol, lower rates of suspension, and reduce risk for dropout relative to other students.

Parents and carers feel:

• more confident in their ability to support their child’s learning
• better engaged in their child’s learning at home
• safe and welcome when communicating with teachers.

Teachers who have positive engagement with parents & carers:

• have improved satisfaction, passion and enthusiasm for their work
• show greater understanding in engaging students, especially those from different cultural backgrounds
• feel more supported and respected in the community.