PSA staff representatives and delegates were at Liverpool Office for the Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) for Helpline, After Hours Response Team (AHRT) and Domestic Violence (DV) Line Thursday 6 February 2025. A PSA member meeting followed and was well attended.

Return to office

There has been no change to the required number of days staff members must attend the office. This miscommunication has been clarified, and while staff are strongly encouraged to attend, there is no change, and any change will involve consultation with the PSA.

Return to office following workers compensation

A reminder to all PSA members with an accepted workers compensation claim and have capacity but are experiencing difficultly returning to work. Please contact the Member Support Centre so we can offer advice and escalate your matter where needed.

PSA sought clarification during the JCC that there is no freeze on secondments, both to and from the Helpline. That said, workers compensation matters are often complex and is why we strongly encourage PSA members to reach out so we can support you during this difficult time.

Recruitment

Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) are currently recruiting for the After Hours Response Team (AHRT), and there is an open Expressions Of Interest (EOI) for the Helpline with additional training for those interested.

PSA staff and delegates voiced members’ frustration with recruitment practices, particularly where the process involves a tap on the shoulder. DCJ spoke about the work being done to investigate vacancies across the establishment to understand if roles are ‘double parked’ and where backfilling is appropriate versus formal recruitment for a vacant role.

Given the Helpline, AHRT and DV Line are a 24 hour operation, DCJ acknowledges that to ensure proper coverage of roles they need to take a specialised approach to ongoing recruitment practices and aim to create a clearer and fair process for filling vacancies and career progression.

Payroll

DCJ acknowledged the frustration felt by PSA members and clarified there is a backlog of work in payroll. The new process for claiming overtime has now gone live with the hope of making claiming easier. There was a commitment to reexamine at the next JCC to see if this new process has had a positive impact.

Roster review

Family and Community Services Insights, Analysis and Research (FACSIAR) are currently undertaking a review into rosters. Following the review by FACSIAR there will be consultation with PSA.

After Hours Response Team (AHRT)

DCJ are currently recruiting for Manager Client Services (MCS) roles to support the AHRT and are looking to add capacity to the peak times of Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Manager Casewokers (MCW) are now rostered on for short periods on Saturdays where staff are doing handovers, there has already been a positive response to this change.

There is an ongoing piece of work to build capacity (coverage of shifts and available management) and capability (training) across the AHRT.

DV Line

PSA raised that members in the DV Line have also asked for a roster review. DCJ advised there is currently a wider NSW Government Domestic Violence review occurring.

Standing agenda items

The JCC have standing agenda items including vacancies, recruitment and WHS. It was agreed that the DV Line and AHRT would also be standing agenda items to ensure proper time and consideration is also given to these groups.

Member meeting

During the member meeting, delegates highlighted the positive impact the change in leadership had for PSA members working at the Helpline, AHRT and DV Line.

PSA Industrial Officer Graydon Welsh provided an update to members regarding the ongoing negotiation for the Child Protection Award and clarified that the PSA will use all available avenues to ensure the Award is formally established this year.

Review of role descriptions

Members were asked to keep an eye out for bulletins calling for member feedback on draft role descriptions. We will begin sending these out in the coming weeks and need your input to ensure they are reflective of the work you do.

Draft Flexible Working Hours Agreement

DCJ Flexible Working Hours Agreement is still in draft. There is no agreed implementation date, and so there should be no change to current working practices. Flexible Working Hours is included in the negotiation for the new Child Protection Award, but this agreement would apply until that Award is formally established.