Lavan consults to and provides advice to numerous Independent schools, Catholic schools and several universities.
The services we provide include advice about bullying and child protection, duty of care, regulation and governance, policy formation, workplace issues, risk management, community and parent engagement, confidentiality and privacy issues.
Partner Ian Curlewis and senior associate Michael Jensen have been consulting to the education sector for over 50 years collectively and have experience in all aspects of the education sector.
They have in-depth and detailed knowledge of the education sector and the legal requirements for operators in the sector.
Our services include the formulation of appropriate policies and processes to protect students and how institutions might respond both rapidly but appropriately to such occurrences.
Lavan provides advice and support to employers in the education sector with regard to performance management of staff, staff disputes and complaints, disciplinary process and Fair Work Commission representation should that be necessary. Our advice also extends to the management of disputes or grievances by students, parents and benefactors. We have significant experience in the Courts in defending claims against schools about their duty of care to students, negligence and general liability.
We have provided extensive advice to schools and universities about funding and the impact of changes from time to time in State and Federal funding of those institutions.
The Lavan Education team provides a quick response service followed up with ongoing support services in relation to the day to day problems that may confront education institutions. Such circumstances include critical incidents, lock downs, parental, family and student disputes, disciplinary matters, staffing issues, workplace safety, excursions both within and outside Australian and use of electronic media by staff, students and parents.
Our expertise in this area covers the registration of schools, compliance with statutory obligation, school board and school operating policies, school constitutions, school foundations and defending schools and universities when sued in different forums.
