Given there have been no substantial change to ChildStory or workloads, the PSA reminds all members that the bans and directions are still in place. You should continue utilising the Work Load Planner AND include the additional time, an additional 20 hours per four-week (one hour per working day) when negotiating time allocation with managers. The PSA recommends the times in the Time to Task document be the minimum to be agreed to for completing tasks. However, if a task is part way through, then a lesser time could be used.

The PSA is continually fighting for members to have safe workplaces, manageable workloads and genuine access to their Award entitlements such as flex time and flexible work.

The bans remain in place because FACS has failed to resolve ongoing problems with ChildStory, unsafe workloads and the risks to workers’ mental health, safety and wellbeing.

You can find the Workload Planner HERE, its FAQs HERE and the Time to Tasks document HERE.

Background

The Workload Planner (WLP) tool is used by managers and caseworkers in planning casework activities for the children and families allocated to a particular caseworker. It also ensures that allocated caseloads are safe and manageable and not beyond workers contracted hours. If no planned work has been identified for a case, it should not be allocated to the caseworker as they should not be held accountable if something goes wrong. The department and the Minister should be accountable for work that cannot be allocated, not caseworkers and their managers. FACS Secretary Michael Coutts-Trotter had previously written to the PSA (26/08/2016) and stated that he was “very happy to reiterate our support for caseworkers who want to use the workload planner”.

In May 2018, given concerns raised by members about the implementation of ChildStory, the PSA had been raising concerns about:

• The unrealistic and unsafe expectation you must do more with less resources.
• Members working excessive and unsafe hours.
• Productivity targets imposed on Districts resulting in excessive workloads.
• More than 76 per cent of members reporting that excessive workloads and the impact of ChildStory is adversely affecting their psychological and physical health.
• ChildStory resulting in significantly more time doing administrative work.
• Child Protection Worker* attrition getting out of control as employees choose to leave – or are forced to leave – FACS due to excessive workloads and the current oppressive work environments.

*Child Protection workers include, caseworkers, casework specialists, casework support officers, managers casework, administrative support, psychologists, legal officers.

In January 2019, given ongoing concerns raised by members about the implementation of ChildStory, the PSA issued directions to members:

• PSA members are directed to use the Workload Planner (WLP) and not accept or allocate cases beyond a worker’s contracted hours or agreed paid overtime hours. Any case that you cannot work on during a four-week WLP period should NOT be allocated to you. This means if a child/case has zero activity hours in your WLP, that child is not to be allocated to you on ChildStory.
• An additional 20 hours per four-week (one hour per working day) settlement period needs to factored into the WLP to fairly cater for the current additional time taken to complete tasks in Childstory (note: section 1 “activity hours” of the WLP has been amended to reflect this).
• A minimum of 56.8 hours per four-week settlement period needs to be recorded in section 1 “activity hours” of the WLP (note adjustments need to be made for time taken on paid leave, deducting 2 hours 50 minutes per each pay on paid leave).
• A maximum of 83.2 hours is available for primary casework activity per four-week cycle (adjustments need to be made for paid leave).
• PSA members are directed NOT to work excessive and unsafe hours which results in the forfeiture of hours, such as working in excess of 14 hours’ credit in any flex period. Members are reminded it is a legal requirement to accurately record all hours on your flex sheet. If you do unpaid work (such as overtime that has not been approved) over a weekend, then record the dates and hours worked in the section “Certified Correct” on your flex sheet.

In July 2020, given ongoing concerns raised by members about the implementation of ChildStory, the PSA issued more directions to members:

• PSA members are directed to use the Workload Planner and not accept or allocate cases beyond a worker’s contracted hours or agreed paid overtime hours. Any case that you cannot work on during a four-week WLP period should not be allocated to you. This means if a child/case has zero activity hours in your WLP, that child is not to be allocated to you on ChildStory.
• PSA members are directed not to work excessive and unsafe hours which result in the forfeiture of hours, such as working in excess of 14 hours’ credit in any flex period. Members are reminded it is a legal requirement to accurately record all hours on your flex sheet and demonstrates the actual time needed to deliver outcomes for vulnerable kids and families. If you do unpaid work (such as overtime that has not been approved) over a weekend, the PSA advises you to record the dates and hours worked in the section “Certified Correct” on your flex sheet.
• PSA members are directed not to complete their Performance Development Plan (PDP) including participation in the E-Learning modules, or take part in any Performance Development Program planning or implementation activities. The Career Plan section and Performance Development Career Planning Tool are exempt.

For further information, please contact your workplace Delegate, Departmental Committee Delegate or PSA Organiser.