EDUCATION SUPPORTSUPPLEMENT TO THE AEU NEWS • JUNE 2015

A E U h e a d o f f i c e 112 Tr e n e r r y C r e s c e n t , A b b o t s f o r d 3 0 6 7 Te l : 0 3 9 417 2 8 2 2 Fa x : 13 0 0 6 5 8 0 7 8 We b : w w w. a e u v i c . a s n . a u

NEWSLETTERA great result for P&D for ESAfter extensive consultations, an ES pilot for P&D paves the way for a more democratic process.

Erin Aulich AEU vice president secondary

It’s been a busy start to the year, with a major focus on consultation between the AEU and the Depart-

ment around the new performance and development guidelines for ES. The AEU has been successful in postponing the guidelines for another year in order to make way for a pilot program for the remainder of 2015. This is in line with ES and principal member feedback.

The introduction of a pilot ensures any future consultation between the AEU and the Depart-ment around guidelines are based on evidence and feedback from ES employees and principals involved in the pilot. The expression of interest process asks that principals consult with ES staff about partici-pating in the pilot and that they inform you that you can opt out of the pilot if you wish.

For the majority of schools and ES members, the existing ES P&D process will continue to be used for the 2015/16 cycle.

It’s important that all schools take the opportunity this year to review position descriptions and existing processes, so that once the guidelines are rolled out next year, schools are ready and have a good under-standing of work dimensions, achievable goal-setting and evidence, in line with actual duties and level of positions.

BudgetMay was budget month. The state budget saw a welcome injection of money into our system, with some big announcements seeking to redress four years of cuts. We’ll need to make sure we hold the Andrews Government to account over its election commitment to make Victoria the ‘Education State’ and, in particular, over its promise to fully commit to the principles of Gonski. We need to make sure that Gonski funding is provided for the full six years.

National Support Staff weekThis year we are once again working with the AEU Federal office to focus on a National Support Staff Week. The week will be in August and will put the spotlight on ES staff across the nation (more on this on page 2). We’ll be out and about as always

throughout the year at network meetings, regional meetings and sub-branch meetings, however, the national week really highlights the work support staff do in our schools on a much bigger scale. Stay tuned for further updates!

Log of Claims Later this year we’ll be asking all members through their sub-branch and regional structures to partici-pate in a Log of Claims process ahead of the expiry of the VGSA2013 in October 2016.

Keep an eye out for more information about processes and timelines, and consider attending your local regional meetings or network meetings on a regular basis. Find out more at www.aeuvic.asn.au/es_networks �

KEY FACTS: ES P&D• New Performance and Development process for ES postponed for a year• P&D pilot to take place for remainder of 2015• More than 160 schools expressed interest in the pilot. Approximately 100 schools have been selected• If you are not a pilot school, carry on with existing P&D process

We’d like to congratulate ES councillors and ES members on their hard work in providing feedback on the ES Performance and Development guide-lines and the draft pilot guidelines. We’re a growing sector with a valuable voice and your input is crucially important.

www.aeuvic.asn.au 32 ES newsletter | June 2015

Car Loans to keep you on track. 5.79% 5.91%1

New Car Loan

per annum Comparison Rate

5 Year Promotional Fixed Rate

Promotional interest rates available for loan applications received between 1 June – 30 November 2015 and funded by 31 December 2015. Interest rate effective 1 June 2015, correct at time of printing and subject to change. Rates are indicative only. Fixed rates are fixed at the date of funding. Check website for current rates. 1. Comparison rate calculated on a secured loan amount of $30,000 for a term of five years. WARNING: This comparison rate is true only for the example given and may not include all fees and charges. Different terms, fees and other loan amounts might result in a different comparison rate. Fees and charges apply. Terms and Conditions available upon request. Victoria Teachers Limited ABN 44 087 651 769, AFSL/Australian Credit Licence Number 240 960.

Visit victeach.com.au or call 1300 654 822 to apply.

Celebrating our ES MEMBERSKathryn Lewis Education Support organiser

Many years ago when ES staff were known as ‘School Services Officers’ (SSOs), the AEU organised ‘SSO Recogni-

tion Week’. Our aim was to highlight the role of support staff in schools and reward them for the huge contribution they make.

School staff embraced the initiative, holding morning teas, lunches and many other activities. AEU organisers were invited to the many different school events.

As the profile of the week grew, the AEU held training, conferences and PD specifically for ES members, as did the Department of Education. In 2010 we introduced our coffee and cake network events, which were extremely popular – to the extent that they often flowed over, beyond the dedicated ES Week!

Over time, it became clear that a single week was not long enough, so we turned the whole month of August into ES Month. Both SSO Week and ES Month are campaigns created by the AEU to shine a spotlight on the vital work under-taken by ES staff.

The AEU wanted increased recognition of ES staff to translate to real improvements in salary and working conditions. The results have been brilliant. If you look back over the ES Agreements from 2000 to 2013, you will notice many positive changes in ES conditions and salary. But the AEU and our members cannot rest yet, as there is still much work to be done on this front.

Introducing National Support Staff Week: August 17–21The AEU is a federal union and covers ES staff in other states and territories. For many years, the Federal AEU Office has been coordinating a National AEU Support Staff Working Party. The purpose of the Working Party has been to develop an understanding of ES working conditions nationally, look at the different policies and trends in schools and Education Department policies. Our aim is to identify benchmark conditions to build on in future agreements, as well as to develop ideas and strategies to improve our campaigning.

The AEU Federal Executive has decided to hold a National Support Staff Week of recognition from August 17–21. The AEU Victorian branch has decided to back the National initiative, which means that ES Month will now become National Support Staff Week. Working with our colleagues interstate means we can all celebrate the vital work undertaken by ES staff around the country.

The AEU Victorian branch will continue to run our popular coffee and cake events and our training activities and will continue to visit schools during National Support Staff Week and throughout August.

Strengthening the voice of ES in the unionIn 2000, the AEU was granted permission to offer membership to support staff in schools. ES staff are still the fastest-growing sector in AEU Victoria, with over 7,700 members. This impressive growth in membership has resulted in ES staff feeling more comfortable to express their views and opinions, and there is no doubt that it was a major factor in the significant achievement of gaining a single agreement for all school staff.

Many ES have stepped up and taken on roles as sub-branch reps. We also have ES members running AEU regional meetings alongside their teacher colleagues. The partnership and mutual respect in these regions is outstanding.

The AEU’s annual Women In Leadership Development (WILD) program aims to develop the role of women in the union. We have had an ES go through the program every year and this year we have two! We are proud to have some amazing ES staff in leadership and other key positions within the union.

We want to build on this and increase our levels of ES representation in the AEU. Our ES members need to grow in number and voice and become active in campaigning for better conditions and salaries – particularly now, as we approach the Log of Claims process (LOC) for the next agreement.

Feel free to contact me to find out how you can get involved: Kathryn.lewis@aeuvic.asn.au or 1800 013 379. �

Redeployment Entitlement ES have a Redeployment Entitlement if they have been employed for longer than 12 months in two or more fixed periods of employment, where the break between periods of employment is not more than three weeks (excluding school vacation periods).

When applying for jobs, ES need to:1. Notify the potential employer of their redeployment entitlement on

their letter of application and2. Ask their current principal to email the potential employer with

notification of the ES staff member’s redeployment entitlement.

ES network meetingsMany ES networks meet regularly to network, learn about relevant news (such as the new ES P&D process), and learn more about pay and enti-tlements. Quite a few ES staff are keen to campaign for better conditions and salaries, and these are the people we need this year, as we start thinking about improvements for the next Agreement.

To ensure that the voices of our ES are heard by the AEU leadership and at the regional level, we have started to schedule our ES Network meetings to take place at the same venues, and directly before, our regional meetings. This will mean that AEU leadership will be able to attend some ES network meetings (as they will be attending the regional meetings directly afterwards). We urge ES members to stick around for the regional meeting. This will be an opportunity for ES members to communicate their views, concerns and ideas directly to union leaders. This has already proven to be a positive move.

Please feel free to get in touch if you have any other ideas for engaging and involving ES members in the AEU. �

Dealing with challenging or extreme behaviours Janet Marshall OHS organiser

ES staff in classrooms provide crucial and precious support to implement programs and strategies for students with

challenging and extreme behaviours. We acknowledge the amazing work, skills and commitment of our integration and classroom support staff.

Under the Vic OHS Act 2004, schools must provide a safe working environ-ment, including safe systems of work. However, we know from EduSafe reports and WorkCover claims that ES staff may be subjected to extreme behaviours themselves, such as biting, spitting, hitting, kicking and verbal abuse. These behaviours can and do seriously impact the physical and psychological health and safety of staff, and sadly the AEU assists too many ES staff who have sustained an injury in this way.

It is never acceptable for employees to be subjected to harm or injury. It is not ‘just part of the job’ and, even though the behaviours may present, the law requires that the environment must be controlled to eliminate or minimise exposure to harm. An OHS risk management approach is required that works hand-in-hand with developing individual educational and behavioural plans, as well as good policy and procedures.

Risk management means working together with parents, guardians, other schools, professional and support services to identify behaviours, triggers, responses, controls and even emergency plans. Staff must have adequate training, instruction, planning and support to do this valuable work safely.

Once plans have been developed, they will need constant monitoring and adjusting where necessary. Monitoring means encouraging reporting of incidents, ideas and concerns. In this way, the best educational and OHS outcomes can be achieved. The two work very much together.

Whilst school resources are always under pressure, the commitment and dedication to achieving great outcomes for all students is high. We must work together to ensure that staff are not put at risk in this process. Injuries are not acceptable and occur at great cost to the employee, their family and possibly also their livelihood.

As per the provisions and protections of the OHS Act, we must insist on safe systems of work in our workplaces and our schools. When safe systems of work are absent or ineffective, the AEU sub-branch and the Health and Safety Rep can act collectively to protect colleagues.

For AEU assistance, contact our Membership Service Centre (MSC) on 1800 013 379 or email melbourne@aeuvic.asn.au. ◆

Worksafe Victoria’s definition of ‘occupational violence’ Work-related violence involves incidents in which a person is abused, threatened or assaulted in circumstances relating to their work. This definition covers a broad range of actions and behaviours that can create a risk to the health and safety of employees. OHS ACT 2004 – Section 21 An employer must : • provide and maintain a working environment that is safe and without risks to health• consult with employees on hazards or risks and controls.

Get involved in ES webinars The AEU has a strong commitment to meeting the industrial and professional training needs of our ES members across a variety of areas, including duty of care, classification questions, OHS and flexible work options. We do this through providing a range of PD, including online webinars which have become very popular.

The recordings are a great way to access PD at a time and location that suits each school’s particular requirement.

The webinars currently available for viewing include:

• 10 things ES need to know• Consultation in 5 minutes• ES duty of care• ES: Understanding the dimensions of work• Performance and development guidelines 2015• Social media: Beware of the risks• Taking control of contracts • Schools agreement refresher (available from June 3).

Visit www.aeuvic.asn.au/webinars to access the recordings, click on the ‘AEU training videos’ button and log in. If you need help remembering your password, our friendly membership team can be contacted on 1800 013 379. �

4 ES newsletter | June 2015

Feel good about where you place your moneyContact Sharon on 03 9854 3320 or communitydevelopment@bankmecu.com.au

mecu Limited ABN 21 087 651 607 AFSL / Australian Credit Licence Number 238431 trading as bankmecu.

Business Managers Leadership PD at AEUThe AEU ran a very successful Business Managers Leadership day on

Monday, May 25, entitled ‘Clarity in a time of change’. The program aimed to develop leadership skills, with a focus on creating thriving school cultures where continuous improvement is the norm.

The workshops were run by Helen Rix and Julie Chandler, both experts in leadership and school improvement. They investigated different aspects of the new P&D guidelines and provided strategies to identify and manage the approaching challenges.

Close to 50 Business Managers attended from across the state. Lisa Forsythe, Christina Burns, Gabriel Windsor and Kim Cross travelled all the way from South Gippsland. They were enthusiastic about the day.

“Apart from the learning, the networking is really valuable, just to realise that

we’re all in the same boat in terms of the challenges we face, regardless of the school and our location,” said Gabriel. “I think the numbers are so strong today because P&D is a really big issue for all of us.”

Kim added that business managers have a wide variety of duties, and need to stay abreast of new technologies and policies. “We do everything from dealing with suppliers to organising cleaning contracts and uniforms, and many of us cover HR, finance, policies, budgeting, attending leadership meetings.”

All four members said that while they found attending ES network meetings in their area to be valuable opportunities for information-sharing, they also appreciated having the chance to attend formal PD and connect with other ES staff from across the state. �

Current job available: ACCOUNTS OFFICERThe union has a permanent vacancy for a 0.5 Accounts Officer. The actual hours/days worked can be negotiated. There is also a requirement for flexibility to work longer hours to backfill during leave periods when required.

The Accounts Officer is responsible for the administration of the union’s accounting requirements. This role works with the rest of the Finance team to ensure the union is managed according to the principles of sound financial management and good governance.

Remuneration: Starting annual salary in the range of $67,227 to $74,812 pro rata, depending on experience and qualifications. Enquiries: A Position Description is available at www.aeuvic.asn.au (Click on the ‘About Us’ tab and go to ‘Job vacancies’).

Questions about this vacancy can be directed to Jeff Monks, Finance Manager on (03) 9417 2822.Applications: Send to Jenny Evans, HR and Organisational Development Manager, AEU Victorian Branch, by email to aeujobs@aeuvic.asn.au by 12 midday, Wednesday, June 10, 2015.

ABOVE: Lisa Forsythe, Christina Burns, Gabriel Windsor and Kim Cross. RIGHT: Sue Farrell, Lyn Furze and Pam Blackburn.