The quarterly Joint Consultative Committee meeting (JCC) was held on 26 September 2024 for Northern NSW (NNSW), Mid-North Coast (MNC) and New England (NE) and was attended by the Public Service Association (PSA), your elected Delegates and Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) leadership.

This meeting serves as an important platform for discussions on various matters affecting our members in this District. Below are the key highlights:

Flexible work including working from home

PSA Delegates and Regional Organisers sought clarification on the Premiers Circular C2024-03 NSW Government Sector workplace presence and how this is being implemented in the District as we have been contacted by members wanting clarity on Working From Home (WFH) as many have been told that it’s no longer an option. The District Director confirmed that nothing has changed as to the Flexible Work Policy and that individuals can request to WFH, as long it meets team and operational requirements. The PSA requested that the District also highlight to staff that if they have a disability or are main carers of a person with a disability that they are entitled to a Workplace Adjustment Passport.  PSA encourages members to speak with their direct line managers to discuss their individual needs and contact PSA if you have any concerns. The PSA recommends that all requests to WFH be requested in writing and if WFH denied then this is also requested in writing. All current Flexible Work practices should continue until a new policy is in place, the PSA anticipates that consultation on the new process will start this month.

DCJ Children in the Workplace Policy

The PSA raised concern in the previous JCC and current JCC regarding how this policy is being implemented in the District and applied to staff that are working from home.

The Policy does not state that if you have children in the home you can’t work from home, the policy states that you must gain approval. The PSA advises members to educate themselves on all aspects of this policy and contact your union if you require support on Flexible Work and Children in the Workplace Policy.

Stand alone MCS for each CSC

PSA have been raising concerns over the past few JCC meetings about Manager Client Services (MCS) managing two Community Service Centre (CSC’s) (Hub Model) and the impact that this has on the staff. DCJ advised that they have changed the establishments and there is now a stand-alone MCS for Ballina CSC, Clarence Valley CSC and Kempsey CSC and that NNSW and MNC Child and Family District Unit (CFDU) will now be managed by the one MCS. Leadership team will be looking at NE and currently they have a stand-alone on a temporary basis for Glen Innis and Inverell.

Workers compensation

Stephen raised issues with workers compensation, return to work and alternative avenues to return to work. Unaddressed issues due to work health and safety.

Staffing

DCJ reports that NE are currently facing the toughest challenges with recruitment with a vacancy rate of 40 caseworkers, MNC with a vacancy rate of 3 caseworkers and NNSW have a vacancy rate of 5 caseworkers, with Ballina and Tweed Heads at funded numbers. DCJ reports that they have a few staff acting in higher duties and secondments and once the MCW recruitment is finalised it may create further vacancies. Currently there are 52 staff members on Workers Compensation across the cluster. The PSA requested confirmation if DCJ can backfill against staff members on secondment and Workers Compensation and was advised that yes DCJ can backfill against seconded staff and long term Workers Compensation and that the Directors have been advised they can go 15 over funded numbers.

Safety in care

Staff that are allocated Safety in Care reports are required to complete a Safety and Care Assessment which are resource heavy. Every time a new risk of serious harm (ROSH) report comes in a new Safety and Care Assessment needs to be completed and for staff that are at capacity it creates a stressful environment. DCJ advised that they are aware its resource heavy but its also an Office of Children’s Guardian (OCG) requirement. All agreed in the importance of these assessments for Children Out of Home Care (OOHC) however for the PSA it shows that this agency needs to be resourced adequately to address this issue. This agenda item will be forwarded to the state JCC as it’s a statewide issue and can’t be resolved at a District level. The PSA would like to remind members to use their Workload Planner (WLP) accessible here (Inset link to bulletin 30/9 PSA members directed to use Workload planner).

The next JCC meeting is scheduled for 6 December 2024. Members are encouraged to speak to their local Delegates to raise any issues and have your voices heard.

Member Support Centre – 1800 772 679

Regional Organiser
Stephen Mears

 

Regional Organiser
Michael Smart

 

Regional Organiser
Rebecca Reilly