End of the year message from your Youth Justice Delegates

On 17 November your Youth Justice Delegates held its last Departmental Committee meeting of the year at PSA House, followed by Joint Consultative Committee meeting on the 18 November 2021. The YJNSW Departmental Committee meet quarterly to raise and advocate on favourable resolutions on workplace issues effecting members and YJ staff. DC delegates are elected by members and work collaboratively with Local Workplace Delegates to deliver good outcomes and improve the working experience of members and staff.

This year, your delegates have given their all, working tirelessly along with PSA staff to ensure all members issues and concerns were raised with the appropriate persons and forums, successfully dealt with or work towards resolving them in timely manner. The Delegates thank all members for their efforts throughout what has been the most challenging of year.

Below is a short wrap-up of our peak meetings and industrial matters for the year.

PSA DC and YJNSW JCC Meetings for 2021:

16-17 February

19-20 May

18-19 August

17-18 November.

PSA DC Delegates:

Matthew Beetson  Acmena YJC  North West

Tammy Elwin  Youth Justice Community Wagga  South West

Suzanne Evans  Riverina YJC  South West

Samuel Faaloua  Cobham YJC  West Sydney

Glen Harwood  Frank Baxter YJC  Central Coast Hunter

Jason Hedley  Cobham YJC  West Sydney

Richard Hutchison  Reiby YJC  South West Sydney

Robert King  Orana YJC  Central West

Amy Robinson  Cobham YJC  West Sydney

Martin Robinson  Court Logistics Parramatta  West Sydney

Covid-19

The biggest issue for the year has been the unprecedented challenge posed by Covid-19 to the agency and its workforce. As frontline workers, YJ staff faced greater risks of exposure due to operational requirement to remain open 24/7. Throughout the pandemic, YJ staff have shown extraordinary resilience, exceptional dedication and un-waivered commitment to their work, to safeguard young people in custody and in the community.  Staff and stakeholders required to attend work, were kept safe and protected from Covid-19 through their efforts in trying circumstances. The Acting ED, Ben Spence noted the “phenomenal efforts by staff” to combat the virus at the JCC meeting on the 18 November.

Covid-19 procedures and PPE

The PSA recognises the additional stress and anxiety facing staff over the Christmas and New Year period with new Covid-19 variants, changes to PHO’s and DCJ workplace directions and rules. Members are reminded to remain vigilant and adhere to the agency’s Covid-19 procedures and the use of PPE at work. The agency will risk assess and provide mitigation strategies for the use of PPE during summer months.

Family visits in Centres will resume

The resumptions of family visits across centres will mean greater number of visitors as we enter the Christmas and New Year period. Visits will be risk assessed by the centres, with tight restrictions and controls to maintain safety.

Body Worn Cameras (BWC) and Security Body Scanner Screening

BWC will go live in February 2022 for Cobham and Frank Baxter IRTs, S&I and Court Logistics teams with the expected roll-out of Security Scanners to be implemented first at Cobham, Reiby and Frank Baxter YJC around the same time.

Retention of staff

PSA have raised this as a serious concern, especially at Orana YJC, who have over the past 12 months faced significant problems with filling vacant roles and retaining staff Youth Officers. This has placed considerable pressure on remaining staff.

Sharing of psychological services across centres

Resource sharing across centres for psychological services to fill gaps where there are shortages with better use and utilisation of telehealth/video links.

Transition to retirement

YJ is encouraging members to have conversations with their Managers about flexible options to aid transition to retirement. YJ maintains they are committed to the “If not, why not” flexible work options.

Custodial Caseworker Supervision Review

The PSA have requested YJ consult with the PSA on the best model options for the supervision of centre caseworkers.

We Need You!

The PSA is seeking representatives from Reiby YJC and from community offices as Workplace Delegates and Departmental Delegates across the state to represent member’s within the DC and JCC. If you are interested, please contact Latu Sailosi, , or Gino Di Candilo, , for more information.

The PSA would like to thank Paul O’Reily for his valuable contributions and positive relationship with the PSA this year. Similarly, we offer a warm welcome to Acting Executive Director Ben Spence.

Do you know someone who still needs to join the PSA?

You can support the work of the PSA and delegates to get better outcomes for everyone just by asking your colleagues to JOIN the PSA.

Your YJ Delegates and your PSA staff would like to wish everyone a safe and Merry Christmas and a Happy New year.