EDUCATION WORKS

The PSA is representing SSOs on the Education Works Advisory Committee.  This Committee was established as a consultative forum predominately to look at the establishment of the Super Schools and integrated services from birth to school years, which was part of the State Government's budget announcements. The PSA has visited a number of affected schools recently to discuss this issue with SSOs. It is important that SSOs forward any information or concerns to the PSA to enable member's views to be adequately represented on this Committee. Please email PSA Industrial Officer, Kerrin Martin, kjm@cpsu.asn.au. with any information or concerns.

FIRST AID

The PSA met with DECS recently to discuss First Aid training in Schools. The PSA was informed by DECS, that a new training package, Basic Emergency Life Support (BELS) has replaced the old First Aid Certificate. BELS training is not mandatory, SSOs cannot be required to undertake first aid training. DECS central budget meets the costs of BELS training for permanent full time SSOs, other SSOs can be trained but the school will meet the costs. Schools may apply to DECS for assistance in funding in special circumstances, for example a small school that only has part time SSOs.

SSO RECLASSIFICATION REVIEW

The PSA has been representing SSOs on the SSO Reclassification Review Committee. This Committee was established as a result of the last Enterprise Agreement negotiations in 2005 to simplify the reclassification process. The Committee is developing a new format for reclassification which should make the process simpler for SSOs and to provide considerably more guidance on preparing a reclassification and the information required by the HR Site Consultants in assessing reclassifications.

SSO PERMANENCY REVIEW

As part of the South Australian Education Staff (Government Preschools, Schools and TAFE) Enterprise Agreement 2006, DECS in consultation with the PSA is reviewing the existing conversion to permanency criteria for School Services Officers to include those who work across clusters of sites and districts.

Principals within a cluster and/or district are now able to collectively declare a permanent vacancy with a minimum of 15hpw where the hours come from more than one site.

Combined SSO and ECW employment will be considered and employees who work in one site will not be excluded.

The PSA will continue to update members as these issues progress.

PSA/CPSU WORKING FOR MEMBERS

25 October 2007