Security for Public Schools and Residential Facilities Procedures

1. Policy supported

Security for Public Schools and Residential Facilities Policy

2. Scope

These procedures apply to principals and college managers.

3. Procedures

3.1 Protecting school property and residential facilities property

Principals and college managers will manage:

• permanent identification markings on school and residential facilities equipment
• a loan register that ensures that the location of school equipment is known
• measures to reduce the likelihood of school vandalism.

3.2 Maintaining security and managing security risks

Principals and college managers will:

• manage the security of school and residential facility keys
• implement measures to secure money collected from fees, excursions, fundraising or other authorised activities
• inform and induct staff in the security practices relevant to them
• report all security breaches to the Department’s Security and Emergency Management Section
• report all damage to, and/or failure of, the school’s or residential facility’s security alarm system immediately to the Department’s Security and Emergency Management Section, who will manage repairs and security of the site
• confirm that all installations or additions to the school’s security alarm system are in accordance with the Department of Finance’s Electronic Security Specification for Department of Education sites
• test all ‘Request for Assistance Devices’ through to the Department’s Security Monitoring Centre at the beginning of each term and contact the Security Monitor Centre prior to conducting the testing.

3.3 Creating a safe and physical environment

Principals and college managers will:

• implement measures to minimise the likelihood of electrical hazards
• minimise the risk of fire hazards
• check that lighting is operational throughout the school and residential facility and report all faults to Department of Finance.

3.4 Use of closed-circuit television (CCTV)

Principals will:

• consult with school staff, the school board or council and the parents’ and citizens’ association prior to the implementation of a CCTV system or making changes to an existing CCTV system, and document and address any concerns raised.

College managers will:

• consult with staff, the local input networking and communications committee and the Manager, Residential Colleges prior to the implementation of a CCTV system, and document and address any concerns raised.

Principals and college managers will:

• seek advice and gain approval from the Department’s Security and Emergency Management Section prior to any installation of a CCTV system in a school
• register the CCTV system online with CAM-Maps WA
• follow procedures before releasing CCTV footage
• seek approval from the Department’s Security and Emergency Management Section when considering installing covert (hidden) surveillance cameras
• verify that the installation of covert (hidden) surveillance cameras complies with the Surveillance Devices Act (1998).

4. Related documents

5. Contact information

Policy manager:

Director, Asset Planning and Services

Policy contact officer:

Manager, Security and Emergency Management    

T: (08) 9264 4825

Technical and Electronic Security Consultant

T: (08) 9264 5046

Security and Emergency Management Section

T: (08) 9264 4632 or (08) 9264 4771 (24 hours)

School Watch:               

T: 1800 177 777 (freecall)

Western Australia Police Force

T: 131 444 or 000

6. History of changes