Responding to strong concern from Members as well as a lack of meaningful consultation by Helpline management, the PSA lodged a dispute in the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) in relation to Helpline’s decision to abolish group supervision. Yesterday (22/07/2024), the IRC matter was concluded with the Department reinstating group supervision at the Helpline and the DV Line.

Group Supervision will be held monthly until the review of the Supervision Policy for Child Protection Practitioners (Supervision policy) is finalised. Helpline management initially proposed that the topics of the sessions be outlined by the leadership team.  However, the Department agreed with the PSA proposal that the views and needs of teams be taken into account when developing topics.

The PSA is disappointed that it had to take this matter to dispute in the IRC for the Department  to agree to comply with its own  current Supervision policy.

What does this mean for child protection practitioners across the State?

The Department’s initial argument for abolishing group supervision at the Helpline was that group supervision was only applicable for Caseworkers undertaking ongoing casework. This view is in direct contradiction with the Department’s own current Supervision policy. Accepting that group supervision was only applicable for Caseworkers undertaking ongoing casework was unacceptable for the PSA as it would have set the precedent for group supervision to be abolished for many other child protection practitioners, including Caseworkers in other teams (such as triage teams, JRU and CFDU); Psychologists; OSP staff; Managers and Leaders; administration staff; Permanency Support Coordinators; and Casework Support Workers.

What about the survey for Helpline and DV Line Members?

Views of Members are of fundamental importance so the PSA ask that Helpline and DV Line Members continue to complete the survey sent out last week. The link to the survey is contained in the PSA Bulletin sent on 16/07/2024. The results will inform PSA Delegates in their advocacy to obtain the best possible outcomes for Members, including ongoing consultation on the review of the Supervision policy.