News Flash

The PSA recently attended a meeting about DECS Legislation reform. Present at the meeting was the Minister for Education and Minster for Early Childhood Development, Hon Jay Weatherill.

The purpose of the meeting was to launch a new discussion paper titled Employment provisions for staff in Government Education and Early Childhood Services.

The discussion paper seeks the views of employees and other stakeholders about developing new legislation that would bring together relevant employment sections of the Education Act 1972 and the Children's Services Act 1985.

It is proposed that the employment provisions be aligned with principles and practices established within the South Australian Public Sector Act 2009 which, in the Government's view, provides a contemporary model for employment practices across government in South Australia.

This may change some conditions of employment for SSOs and ECWs. Some examples of what the new legislation may provide for are:

Staff be appointed to specific duties and a classification level rather than to a fixed position.
Appointment provisions consistent with the ongoing, term or casual appointments provided for under the Public Sector Act.
Disciplinary provisions that are based on those prescribed in the Public Sector Act.

Copies of the discussion paper will be distributed to all schools and ECW centres by DECS. A summary sheet will also be developed by DECS and distributed electronically to reach all staff.

The PSA will be attending regular Legislation Reform Meetings with DECS and providing updates and seeking input from SSOs and ECWs.