Local engagement and decision-making (LEaD) committees

Local engagement and decision-making (LEaD) committees share ways to bring local culture into the school.

Their goal is to create a place where all children feel safe and happy to attend every day.

LEaD members are trusted to provide advice and recommendations that help everyone.

Watch the video

In the video below, you will learn about:

  • what a LEaD committee is
  • how LEaD committees work
  • how to set up a LEaD committee in your community.

Or you can read below for more information.

Role of a LEaD committee

LEaD committees give Aboriginal people more say on how the children are taught in your local community.

They give advice to the school and the school council to help make the best decisions for students and staff.

The advice they give includes:

  • the best way to include local knowledge and culture into the curriculum
  • actions that are and aren't culturally appropriate for school staff
  • ways to get children to come to school more
  • programs which benefit the students.

Your school principal will support your local LEaD committee by making sure it’s a safe place to discuss issues and goals.

If members are worried about what they want to say, the LEaD committee can meet separately from the principal to give everyone time to talk.

Partnerships with local stakeholders

LEaD committees can also support the school where there are partnerships with local stakeholders like the local ranger groups or clinic. This can help improve the way these groups contribute to your school.

The school manages these partnerships and the LEaD committee provides advice to help keep these partnerships strong.

Who can be a member

LEaD committees are made up of parents, families and community members.

They work closely with the principal to provide advice on how to:

  • make sure everyone is working together
  • support children and help them go to school every day
  • engage children in learning
  • improve the school.

Members work closely with the principal and school council to make sure the local school is the best it can be.

There is no limit on how many people can be members.

Chair

Where a LEaD committee is set up under a school council, the chair must be a member of the school council.

This helps the 2 groups work together and share information.

Meetings

LEaD committees don’t have the same rules as a school council.

It can have as many people as needed. This makes sure different family or clan groups and enough men or women get a say.

They can also meet as often as they like and in a less formal setting.

LEaD committees can be informal to start with, but with time, they can give members a strong voice for student education.

Some communities have given their LEaD committee a name that best represents their community.

Set up a committee in your community

Not all schools have a LEaD committee.

If you think one should be set up in your community, talk to your school principal.

Contact

If you have any questions:

  • talk to your principal
  • contact the Community Engagement and Local Decision Making team, Department of Education by emailing .

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