Working with parents and the community
The best education happens when parents and schools work together. Working together as partners is fundamental to maintaining positive student behaviour in schools. NSW public schools help to promote positive behaviour and support vulnerable students by building strong links with parents, carers and school communities.
Information about this resource
This resource addresses a need to provide schools and teachers with supports and resources including creating guidelines and resources for schools to strengthen their ability to:
engage with parents and carers about behaviour
develop partnerships with parents with a focus on responsibilities for behaviour management.
This resource supports teacher and school needs by providing:
high quality resources to understand how to work collaboratively with parents and community members
strategies and a guide that support teachers to work with families and the community and prepare for difficult conversations.
Professional audience
All staff and school settings across NSW, regardless of size, context and geographic location.
This resource can be used without assistance as a stand-alone resource.
Student audience
All students P-12.
When to use
This resource can be used by executive teams, school learning and support teams and individual teachers to provide guidance on working with families and the community and when preparing for difficult conversations with families.
Timeframes
Can be used at any time.
System priorities and/or needs
This resource aligns with:
direction and priorities of strengthening student wellbeing and development and advancing equitable outcomes, opportunities and experiences.
- Learning domain – Wellbeing (caring for students, a planned approach to inclusion and wellbeing, individual learning needs, behaviour)
- Teaching domain – Effective classroom practice (classroom management)
- Leading domainÌý– ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍøal leadersip (community engagement)
Relevant frameworks
Standards 3.7, 4.1, 4.3, 5.1, 7.3
Wellbeing framework for schools - enabling school environment 
Department of ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍøÌý
Existing resources
Behaviour support toolkit resources and professional learning, particularly working with families
Inclusive Practice hub resources, particularly family engagement (primary) and family engagement (secondary)
Disability, Learning and Support resources, particularly consultation and collaboration
CESE Supporting students’ learning: resources and case studies for schools, teachers and parents
- Supported online learning courses:ÌýOnline Training Australia offers a range of course that can support individual student need including disability.
- URH Resources:
- Teacher guide to parent-teacher communication
- Ìý(staff only)
- Ìý(staff only)
- Parent and Community Partnerships – Learning Ecosystems
- Inclusive Practice Hub - Family engagement (primary)
- Inclusive Practice Hub - Family engagement (secondary)
- Personalised learning and support
- CESE resource: Supporting students' learning resources and case studies
Ìý
Consulted with: Delivery Support teams, Aboriginal Partnerships and Outcomes, Communications and Engagement, and Inclusion and Wellbeing as part of the development of the behaviour support toolkit.
Reviewed by:ÌýStudent Participation
Last updated:ÌýJanuary 2025
Amirault, C., Snyder, C. (2020). Finding your way through conflict: strategies for educators. Free Spirit Publishing.
Department of ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø, Skills and Employment. (2020). Family-Schools Partnership Framework. Australian Government.Ìýhttps://www.education.gov.au/supporting-family-school-community-partnerships-learning/family-school-partnerships/family-school-partnerships-framework
Bakken, Y., Carson, N., Ohm, M. (2019). The difficult conversation: facilitating students’ professional learning and development, Universal Journal of ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍøal Research, 7(3), 40-40.
Hill, E, N., Witherspoon, D. P., Bartz, D. (2018). Parental involvement in education during middle school: perspectives of ethnically diverse parents, teachers and students, The Journal of ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍøal Research, 111(1), 12-27.
Molina, S. C. (2013). Family, school, community engagement, and partnerships: an area of continued inquiry and growth, Teaching ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø, 24(2), 235-238.
Miller, G. E., Lines, C., Sullivan, E., Hermantuz, K. (2012). Preparing educators to partner with families, Teaching ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø, 24(2), 150-163. .
Niemtus, Z. (2014). Strike a balance with challenging parents, TES Magazine, 5083, 40-41.
Sarra, C., Spillman, D., Jackson, C. (2020). High-expectations relationships: a foundation for enacting high expectations in all Australian schools, Australian Journal of Indigenous ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø, 49(1). 32-45. .
Shamala, T., Agbenyega, J. S. (2022). Insider perspectives on catalysing the development and use of individualised education plans. International Journal of Inclusive ÌÇÐÄvlog¹ÙÍø, 26(2), 160-174. .
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