This course provides practical guidance on how to manage challenging behaviours of parents. School staff are competing with parents for the right and ability to win the hearts, minds and support of the school community. Staff must endeavour to win trust of parents by acting with integrity and demonstrating an ability to deliver on promises.
At the conclusion of the course, participants will be able to:
- Identify the features of the behaviour of high conflict personalities
- Enhance your skills in managing poor behaviour of parents in one-on-one meetings, via email and over the phone
- Deepen your understanding of the essential elements of persuasion and how to use them to prepare for your next negotiation with a parent;
- Diagnose the issues behind difficult negotiations and learn how to rebuild relationships for more effective outcomes
- Demonstrate improved personalised practice to plan a long-term influence campaign to help reduce resistance and become more influential over time.
The course is self-paced and shall be completed within 60 days after enrolment. The course content enables staff to meet goals in accordance with their Annual Performance Review and gather evidence to support the following Standards:
Australian Professional Standard for Principals (Leadership: Leading teaching and learning – Developing self and others – Leading improvement, innovation, and change – Leading the management of the school – Engaging and working with the community) (Professional Practices: Leading teaching and learning – Developing self and others – Leading improvement, innovation, and change – Leading the management of the school – Engaging and working with the community)
Australian Professional Standards for Teachers (6. Engage in professional learning: 6.1 Identify and plan professional learning needs – 6.2 Engage in professional learning and improve practice – 6.3 Engage with colleagues and improve practice) (7. Engage professionally with colleagues, parents, carers, and the community: 7.1 Meet professional ethics and responsibilities – 7.2 Comply with legislative, administrative, and organisational requirements – 7.3 Engage with the parents/carers)
The course includes:
- Lesson 1 – Introduction (Course Design and Self-Reflection)
- Lesson 2 – Topic A (High conflict personalities and querulous behaviour)
- Lesson 3 – Topic B (Negotiating with parents in person)
- Lesson 4 – Topic C (Email, phone and other strategies)
- Lesson 5 – Reflection and Personalised Practice
- Topic A – High conflict personalities and querulous behaviour
- Understanding high conflict personalities
- Strategies to manage high conflict behaviour
- Case scenario – Rusty – a complex and concerned father
- Topic B – Negotiation with parents in person – stages and goals
- Stage 1. Preparation
- Stage 2. Introduction
- Stage 3. Account giving
- Stage 4. Exploration
- Stage 5 . Outcomes / Action Plan
- Stage 6. Close
- Topic C – Email, phone and other strategies
- Procedurally fair dialogue
- Emails
- Phone calls
- Strategies: managing poor behaviour at interview
- Harassing correspondence / inquiries
The course includes:
- Video 1 – Rusty the concerned father of Jordan (part 1 of 2)
- Video 2 – Rusty the concerned father of Jordan (part 2 of 2)
- Video 3 – The ideal email (Ross McSwan and Benjamin Spurgin OAM)
The course includes:
- Quiz 1 – Reflection on what you already understand about high conflict parents
- Quiz 2 – Understanding high conflict personalities and querulous paranoia
- Quiz 3 – Negotiating with parents in person
- Quiz 4 – Email, phone calls and other strategies
- Quiz 5 – Reflection and personalised practice