Substantial progress has been made towards resolving the long-running dispute regarding the securing of students into vehicles by School Learning Support Officers (SLSOs). Following the PSA’s direction to members not to secure students into vehicles from Wednesday 21 October, the matter was urgently referred to the Industrial Relations Commission of NSW for conciliation.
At the conciliation conference, the Department provided a number of commitments aimed at addressing the concerns consistently raised by SLSOs and the Public Service Association (PSA) regarding this work. These concerns have centered on the lack of clarity regarding responsibilities, inadequate training arrangements, risk management, supervision requirements and member liability concerns.
The Department has committed to working with the PSA to develop a formal protocol or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) covering the securing of students with disability into vehicles, including clear responsibilities, training requirements and risk assessment processes.
An extraordinary meeting of the PSA Special Education Working Group was held on 22 October to consider the Department’s proposal and the commitments given before the Commission. After discussing the proposal, delegates agreed that significant progress had been made towards addressing members’ concerns and supported the lifting of the current PSA direction.
As a result, the PSA is lifting its direction that members not secure students into vehicles. School operations should return to the arrangements that applied prior to yesterday’s direction with pick up to proceed as normal.
Importantly, while substantial progress has been made, this matter remains a work in progress. The PSA’s longstanding concerns have not disappeared and discussions with the department will continue as work proceeds on the development of the protocol/MOU.
Members should also be aware that the lifting of the direction does not create any new expectations of SLSOs, nor does it change existing industrial arrangements, statements of duties, supervision requirements or responsibilities. If members experience any attempt to expand their duties, increased expectations regarding the securing of students, inadequate training, or any other concerns related to this work, they should contact the PSA immediately.
The PSA thanks members and delegates for their support and engagement on this issue. Your concerns have driven these discussions and will continue to guide the union’s involvement as negotiations with the department progress.