Appendix 3 | Applying the CRIA tool to COVID-19 pandemic policy and legislation relating to the
closure of schools and early childhood education and care in Australia
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In July 2020, a range of wellbeing resources for students, parents and teachers were developed
to assist Victorian children with mental health.226 The resources included simple wellbeing
activities, video tips developed in partnership with the Melbourne Football Club and resources
developed by Smiling Mind for senior secondary students. The resources complemented
existing mental health and wellbeing support available to all Victorian Government school
children. Secondary school students could also access counselling via a voice call or video
conference through the Headspace counselling partnership or via their school-based mental
health practitioner.
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In Terms 3 and 4 2020, ACT school psychologists engaged in telehealth services, a central
telehealth service was established to boost service delivery, and online mental health resources
were developed to address student’s wellbeing.227 In NSW, school counselling, support and
wellbeing staff were also given access to online platforms to conduct sessions via telehealth or
over the phone.228
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In August 2021, the NT government invested in arts and culture programs in schools and
ECEC.229
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In September 2021, the ACT Government provided free transport for anyone travelling to
a vaccination clinic.230
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In September 2021, the NSW Government allowed for a ‘friends bubble’ for children to socialise
with friends during school holidays, and ‘study bubbles’ for HSC students to study with
friends.231
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In February 2022, the SA Government developed new mental health services in schools.232
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COVID-19 care packages, including masks and RATs delivered to schools.233
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The ACT Government provided support to ECEC providers in the development of risk
management plans and procedures to support their service operations. Providers were also
supported with a specific trauma-informed practice forum as well as written resources to
engage in practice that supports parents and children.234
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The WA Government introduced learning plans for students required to isolate at home to
ensure they remained engaged with their education.235
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In NSW, schools were required to record non-attendance to remote learning and provide
individual support to students as needed.236
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The NSW Government introduced the ‘COVID-Intensive Learning Support Program’ in 2021 to
support learning through targeted small group tuition for those students whose learning had
been impacted by the pandemic.237
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The NT Department of Education developed Special Assistance Grants to support ECEC services
to manage pandemic changes to keep children and staff safe.238
Safeguarding Children: Using a child rights impact assessment to improve our laws and policies | 83