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Summer 2003

Child and Family Services workers get protection at last

HACSU members working for Child and Family Services will finally have some stability and security in their working lives, following the finalisation of an enterprise agreement.

These workers undertake a range of important tasks, such as providing transport and supervision for children during access visits.

Previously, this area of work was largely unregulated.

Workers were on shortterm contracts, undertaking jobs with no minimum hours, broken shifts, immediate cancellation of jobs, and no proper leave provisions.

The agreement provides for;

• paid time where there is a break between episodes of work of one hour or less,

• minimum of two hours of employment at a time,

• definitions for extended care duties, and an onus for pre-planning of these activities,

• reimbursement for all reasonable meal costs or paid the appropriate meal allowance,

• the allocation of work based on a fair and reasonable distribution between eligible employees,

• if work is cancelled by the employer with less than twelve hours notice the employee affected will be paid a minimum of two hours work at the employee's normal salary rate,

• access to a grievance procedure.

HACSU Industrial Officer, Leanne McDougall, said the agreement was an important step forward.

"It has taken a long time to reach this agreement and members have been very patient," Leanne McDougall
said.

"These workers now have their duties and a definition of their work clearly set down in black and white, providing recognition of the important role these workers perform."

• Transporting of children, young persons and families to and from access visits, various appointments, school, sport and recreational activities.

• Providing personal support of children, young persons and families in a range of environments including access visits, school, recreational activities, transition to independent living.

• Providing parenting support in a range of environments including access visits, school, recreational and social activities.

• Providing supervision of access / contact visits between children / young person and their parents and family members to ensure the safety and well being of the child /young person.