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News Flash
DEPARTMENT
OF EDUCATION AND CHILDREN'S SERVICES CONSULTATION.
On
Wednesday 5th April, the PSA met with Senior DECS officials as part
of the regular consultative arrangements with Department of Education
and Children's Services.
The
following matters were discussed:-
1.
PAYROLL
It
was confirmed that there would be regular consultative meetings held
between PSA members and Payroll management to deal with the ongoing
issues arising from the high workload.
DECS
are currently developing a Shared Services proposal. This
proposal will be the subject on consultation with the
PSA.
2. STUDENT
SERVICES
The
PSA advised that concerns continue to be raised in relation to the
high workloads being experienced by all professionals responsible for
providing Student Services.
Since
the Realignment problems have escalated there is no longer a
statewide response to workload, nor are there appropriate
professional careers paths for specific professional groups.
When these issues have been raised in the past the response has been
that professionals are able to work across District
boundaries.
However, all districts are under pressure as resources are
stretched. Those areas with high numbers of critical cases
are
left to manage without any support. The current system does
not
deal with these matters.
DECS
is considering what strategies need to be put in place to more
adequately address concerns.
3. TRAINING
AND DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR SSOs
It
has come to the attention of the PSA that some private training
providers have been approaching SSOs with offers of free
training.
This is on the basis that the Commonwealth Government will pay for
the training, if the SSO signs a Contract of Training. It
does
not appear as if the training provider actual explains that the
Contract of Training is in fact of Contract of Employment and by
signing such a document an SSO would be agreeing to Trainee status.
SSOs
are advised not to sign a Contract of Training without initially
seeking advice from the PSA. The Department has been working
to
have nationally accredited training available for SSOs and their are
genuine training opportunities available for SSOs.
For
further information in relation to these issues please contact Gayle
Peak, Assistant Chief Industrial Officer on gp@cpsu.asn.au
CPSU/PSA
WORKING FOR YOU
7 April
2006
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