News Flash

SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS IN CYFS 

PSA members working in CYFS have a commitment to providing care and support to children and adolescents in crisis. Many of these young people in care have very complex problems. It is recognised that the care of the child is paramount. Therefore, it is essential that all special investigations be carried out in a sensitive manner to both acknowledge and provide appropriate care for the child and natural justice for staff.

PSA Vice President Peter Hewish, Worksite Representative Mike Ainsworth and PSA Industrial Officer Ken Smith attended a meeting with Child, Youth and Family Services management on 4th May 2006 to discuss and attempt to resolve the many issues facing staff involved in special investigations. Beth Dunning, Executive Director chaired the meeting.

All parties recognised the current difficulties and the consequences of the lengthy time frames from the date of incident to resolution.

Possible solutions were discussed including the following:-

1. More information provided to staff notified of investigation.
2. Special support services to be available to staff should it be clear there will be a long investigation.
3. Development of HR personnel specialists in disciplinary matters.
4. Training and development for Managers and HR Consultants likely to have a role in Special Investigations.
5. Consideration be given to providing additional staff to assist in serious complaints to reduce the investigation time.
6. Review relationships between agencies that may be conducting multiple investigations to determine if it is possible to share information.
7. Undertaking a mapping project, to develop a flow chart which includes the difference between minor breaches and more serious complaints. This flow chart should identify opportunities to improve the current processes.

The PSA will continue to speak with the Executive Director to ensure that immediate action will be taken to reduce the large number of outstanding special investigations and convene a further meeting to update the PSA on the proposed actions from the meeting of the 4th May 2006.

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