How to Handle Split Family Arrangements
TASS.web caters for split family/multi parenting arrangements in either of two ways. This documentation refers to these methods as:
Simple Split.
Complex Split.
It is important that you read the explanation for each method directly below. The choice of which method to use is not a system-wide decision. Each split family can be set up using the method most suited to their circumstances.
Simple Split
It is recommended to use this method if:
The parents have split and have separate addresses, yet neither parent has notified the school of a new partner.
There is no split billing arrangement in place for this family.
In a simple split, you would not create an additional parent record.
Using this method, you maintain a single TASS parent record. You maintain a separate address for mother and father on that parent record. You then use the Addresses & Communication Rules on the student record (for each child in the family) to define:
The parent/guardian addresses that teachers will see when using Staff Kiosk.
The parent/guardian addresses that will be used when teachers generate correspondence to parents using Staff Kiosk.
The parent/guardian(s) that the student lives with.
The parent/guardian(s) who is to be the emergency contact.
The parent/guardian(s) who will receive correspondence generated out of TASS.web.
The parent/guardian(s) who will receive SMS notifications for student absentees (if enabled at your school).
Addresses & Communication Rules are maintained using TASS.web program Student Admin > Student Records > Student Information > Students.
Parent Lounge user accounts can be left as one single Parent Lounge account that holds both parents' details and/or split into multiple user accounts using the Split Family Access option in TASS.web program Student Admin > Parent Records > Setup Information > Parent Lounge Setup on the ‘Split Family Access’ tab.
Split Family Access (SFA) allows you to tailor the access, addresses, payment methods, and student details that are available to each parent.
Split Family Access allows you to flag pre-existing payment methods as available or unavailable to each Parent SFA record.
Complex Split
It is recommended to use this method if:
The parents have split and either the mother or father has notified the school that they have a new partner.
A 'blended' family has occurred.
‘Blended’ Family Example 1: A mother and father have a student(s) at the school. They split and the father remarries and enrols another student from his second marriage.
‘Blended’ Family Example 2: A mother and father have a student at the school. They split and the father remarries a parent who also has a student(s) at the school.
The parents have split and there is a requirement for a split billing arrangement.
Using this method, you create an additional TASS parent record. You then use the Addresses & Communication Rules on the student record (for each child in the family) to define:
The parent/guardian addresses from both the original and additional parent records that teachers will see when using Staff Kiosk.
The parent/guardian addresses from both the original and additional parent records that teachers will be able to use for communication for each student in the family when using Staff Kiosk.
The parent/guardian(s) from both the original and additional parent records that the student lives with.
The parent/guardian(s) from both the original and additional parent records who is to be the emergency contact.
The parent/guardian(s) from both the original and additional parent records who will receive correspondence generated out of TASS.web.
The parent/guardian(s) from both the original and additional parent records who will receive SMS notifications for student absentees (if enabled at your school).
Addresses & Communication Rules are maintained using TASS.web program Student Admin > Student Records > Student Information > Students.
It is important that if you decide to use this method and move either the mother or father to a new parent record that:
The original parent record is the one with the existing parent school-fees account.
The existing school fees account includes historical transactions that cannot be transferred. Therefore take care when deciding which parent is to be moved to the new parent record because the school fees account belongs to the original parent record.
You can create a split billing arrangement afterwards for the additional parent if required using TASS.web program Finance > Parent Accounts > Billing Cycle > Split Billing Accounts.
The addresses for both parents (mother and father) are set up in the corresponding address block on their parent records. In particular, make sure that the salutations, email addresses and phone numbers are individualised for both mother and father.
There will be a separate Parent Lounge user account for each Parent Record/Parent Code.
Blended families may also need to tailor the access, addresses, payment methods, and student details that are available to each parent using the Split Family Access option in TASS.web program Student Admin > Parent Records > Setup Information > Parent Lounge Setup on the ‘Split Family Access’ tab.
Split Family Access allows you to flag pre-existing payment methods as available or unavailable to each Parent SFA record.
Other Examples of Multi Parenting Arrangements
A student is living with another family at the school (in a guardian or host family arrangement).
Other Example 1: A student's parents are travelling overseas for a year and their child is staying with another family.
In this scenario, you would use the Addresses & Communication Rules on the student record to effectively link the student to both the original parent record and the parent record for the guardian family.
Addresses & Communication Rules are maintained using TASS.web program Student Admin > Student Records > Student Information > Students.
Related Resources
Refer to the Setting Up Communication Rules guide for details on enabling the 'Communication Rules' functionality.
Refer to the Setting Up parent address in TASS.web with Communication Rules for details on the recommended parent address structure to be used with 'Communication Rules'.