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Aged & Community Services
SA & NT Inc©
246 Glen Osmond Road,
Fullarton SA 5063
Phone: (08) 8338 7111
Fax: (08) 8338 7077
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Snippets - Volume 7 Issue 4
April 2007
Please note, some of the articles provided will have additional papers which can be downloaded or directed to another website page. In some cases these documents are linked to the ACS Members Only section of this website and will require a Username and Password. All members have been issued with a Username and Password. If you have not received this please contact Rhianna Morris with your contact details and she will issue you with your access details.
Index
Snippets – Proudly Sponsored by ACSure
ACSure is a range of insurance and risk solution products developed by Jardine Lloyd Thompson Pty Limited (JLT), in consultation with The Aged & Community Services Australia (ACSA) Federation. JLT is a leading provider of innovative insurance and other risk solutions in Australia . Today, employing over 700 industry professionals covering risks in all states and territories. Building upon a strong reputation of trust and professionalism fostered over many years, JLT aims to become the broker of choice in Australia 's key market segments. At JLT, we are extremely proud to be an invited National Partner of ACSA - chosen by ACSA because we are leaders in our field. As a result of our collaborative development of ACSure, these products respond to aged and community services issues and needs and are available for the benefit of the entire industry, including ACSA, state bodies, and valued members. The aged and community services environment is rapidly developing and constantly changing. Ongoing consultation ensures that JLT continues to arrange and advise on the right products for all concerned. ACSure helps you to respond to these challenges. Click here to view the products developed by JLT for ACSure.
From the CEO's Desk
SA Federal Election Policy Launch
Following the national launch of the Aged Care Industry Council's (ACS & ACAA) policy platform for the forthcoming federal election, the South Australian launch event will take place on Tuesday 24 April at the Life Care Churches of Christ facility Reynella Lodge – 7 Railway Terrace, Reynella. The campaign, the largest ever mounted by the nation's aged care industry associations will highlight, in a policy context, the current issues and concerns facing the sector. Importantly the industry puts forward its views about what needs to be done to rectify the situation.
The launch is the first part of an ongoing campaign to generate public and political interest over the next few months. Campaign materials, posters and postcards, have already been forwarded to some of you. Those that haven't received the material will do so within the next week. Please display the posters prominently and take the time to get people (residents, staff family and friends) to send in the postcards. All you need is a 50 cent stamp! The postcards that aren't addressed to the Prime Minister or the Leader of the Opposition are to be forwarded to your local federal member. To find contact details of your local member and SA Senators go to the Australian Parliament House website.
Two further sets of postcards with different messages will be sent out over the next few months. This activity will be augmented by further events that we are planning and other activities. More will be revealed later.
New ACS Committees: Nominations
An early warning to look out for a forthcoming special edition of Snippets which will alert readers to the nomination process for those interested in putting forward their names for the new ACS committees – Finance, Community Care, Residential, Retirement Housing and Workforce Relations. The revamping of the committee structure is part of a larger strategic review of ACS and its activities.
The committee Terms of Reference and related material will be considered by the ACS Board at its 27 April meeting. The nomination process should start shortly thereafter.
If you are interested in making a contribution I urge you to take the time to put in a nomination.
General News
ACS Contracting Seminar
If you contract out any service to a third party (including maintenance/garden services, relief staff, allied health, an entire program) a seminar scheduled for Friday 22 June is not to be missed. The seminar will provide important information about your responsibilities with relation to OH&S, quality standards, training and supervision as well as information about the employer/contractor relationship, new legislation which impacts the engagement of self employed contractors, what needs to be included in a contract of agreement and information about insurance types and levels. The seminar will also include some input from the Department for Families and Communities. Bring along any questions you have and take home copies of the presentations in a useful note format. For further details contact Carol Mohan via email or telephone 8338 7111, or watch out for the program details and registration form. Please put this important date in your diary.
Training Provider Contracts for Student Placements
Due to legal complications being experienced as a result of a student placement within an aged care facility, one of our members has had cause to review all contracts currently in place with training providers.
As a result of this, it is suggested providers undertake a review of current contracts to ensure the following areas of risk (and liability) are addressed within the contract:
- The nominated student has satisfactorily completed the required curriculum;
- The nominated student is not suffering from any known medical condition or illness which prevents them from performing duties of the nature required in aged care;
- The training organisation is not aware of any reason why the student should not carry out the placement; and
- The training organisation has made the nominated student aware of the organisations policy and procedure manuals.
Please contact Sharee Kelly at ACS via email or by phone (08) 8338 7111 if you have any further queries in regard to this.
Changes to Continence Aids Assistance Scheme
Senator Santo Santoro, the former Federal Minister for Ageing, recently announced that age eligibility for the Continence Aids Assistance Scheme will be extended from July to include people aged 5 years and up. At present the scheme is restricted to those aged 16 to 64 years. Eligible people receive subsidised continence products up to the value of $470 a year. Senator Santoro said the new rules would assist many older people with incontinence due to neurological conditions such as paraplegia, multiple sclerosis or spina bifida, and also the parents of disabled children.
More information on the Continence Aids Assistance Scheme is available from the Helpline 1300 366 455.
Falls Prevention Webinar
The Centre for Injury Research and Control at the University of Pittsburgh hosts regular Webinars and there were two recent ones on Falls Prevention, one by Professor John Campbell from the Dunedin School of Medicine on 'Preventing falls and fractures - How and in Whom?' and the other by Anne Tiedemann from the Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute on 'Falls risk assessment in clinical settings - the first step in preventing older people from falling'.
The powerpoint presentations of these webinars are available on the CIRCL website.
Northgate Stage 3 – Precinct One Tenders
The Land Management Corporation (LMC) is seeking tenders from experienced developers (or consortia) to purchase land to develop and operate seniors' housing facilities within Northgate Stage Three: Precinct One.
Located only 8 km from the Adelaide CBD there are two sites with a total of 5.3 hectares available for seniors' housing development, and these sites represent the opportunity to create a retirement village with an integrated community centre and a residential care facility.
For further information on the tender process please click here to view the advertisement, which appeared in the Advertiser on Tuesday 17 April and the Financial Review on Thursday 19 April. Tender documentation is available on the LMC website.
Closure Letter after a visit by a SafeWork SA Workplace Inspector
A number of aged care facilities are visited by SafeWork SA Workplace Inspectors and may be given notices depending on the situation, however if compliance was observed by the Inspector no letter of closure is provided.
After consultation with the SAfer Industries Aged Care Working Party, SafeWork SA Workplace Inspectors will now provide a letter of closure (only upon request and if compliance was observed) and will detail the purpose of the visit, date and time of interaction and actions undertaken.
ACAR Applications
Minister for Ageing, Christopher Pyne has announced that the Aged Care Approval Round for 2007 is now open.
Information on all the available places, together with application kits for prospective applicants are on the Department's website, or by phoning the Aged Care Information Line on 1800 500 853.
The Department have been made aware of an error in a question in the CACP application form. Click here to view further details.
The closing date for applications for community care places will be 25 May, and for residential places and capital grants will be 15 June.
Police Check Information
Questions and Answers
ACS has now updated the Questions and Answer Sheet which is available for members only.
ACS would like to thank Fiona Lee, Lynch Meyer Lawyers, for providing this information. The Department of Health and Ageing has also agreed to provide answers to the questions, and this information will be updated on the Q&A sheet, when available.
ACS is now developing a response for the Minister for Ageing, outlining member concerns in regard to the Legislation, and we urge members to forward any feedback or comments to Sharee Kelly via email.
Obtaining Police Checks
As reported in the last two issues of the National Report (Issue 148 and 150), ACSA has negotiated special rates for ACSA members obtaining national police record checks with RISQ and The PRM Group. There have been queries from some members as to the cost of the services provided by RISQ and PRM.
The services offered by RISQ and PRM have significant advantages. First, they offer the opportunity to electronically lodge an application. This option is not available if you request a check from your State police. Electronic lodgement helps to minimise the number of errors that can arise with filling in forms manually. (Note that where forms contain errors, they will be returned and required to be filled in again).
In most cases, RISQ and PRM will have a completed criminal record check returned within 24 to 48 hours. Generally, delays will only occur where “further inquiries” are required to be made about a particular individual. Obtaining checks through RISQ and PRM also reduces the administrative burden on providers as most of the work is done for you.
News for Residential Members
Enrolled Nurse Medication Management Training Initiative Round 4
The Australian Government is providing $7.5 million over four years to train Enrolled Nurses to manage and administer medication as part of its $2.2 billion 2004-05 Budget package “Investing in Australia's Aged Care: More Places, Better Care”. Invitations to apply for Round 4 of this initiative have now been distributed to Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) who have been approved by their State/Territory nursing regulatory authority.
Interested aged care providers should contact their approved local RTO, details are listed on the Department's website.
Accreditation Assessment Modules
Aged and Community Services Association of NSW & ACT Inc has developed a series of modules on how to check your systems and identify any gaps in order to prepare for unannounced visits. The accreditation modules are available on the ACS NSW/ACT website under Residential Care/Accreditation Update. It is important the checklists are read in conjunction with the Accreditation modules available on the Agency website.
Changes to the assets test for entry to permanent residential aged care
Changes have been made to the aged care assets test to make it more consistent with the pension assets test. These changes affect two areas: gifts of assets and money invested in income stream products.
Since 1 January 2007, any amount over $10,000 in a single financial year or $30,000 in a five financial year period that has been given away, will be included in the aged care assets assessment. In working out the amount to be included in the assets test, all gifts made from 10 May 2006 will be taken into account.
More information about the changes to the aged care assets test is available on the Department of Health and Ageing's website.
For more information about the treatment of gifts and income streams under the pension asset test, call Centrelink on 13 23 00, or Department of Veterans' Affairs on 13 32 54.
Chinese Delegation visit to Eldercare, The Lodge Aged Care Facility
In liaison with ACS and the Office of Trade and Economic Development arranged for a Chinese delegation to visit The Lodge aged care facility on the 15 th March 2007.
A key objective of the delegation's visit was to learn about aged care facilities in South Australia , including health care and medical equipment offered as well as the establishment of ongoing management of these facilities.
The delegation was extremely complimentary of the facility, and gained much useful information and knowledge. ACS would like to thank Eldercare, Anne Henderson and the staff at the Lodge for kindly showing the group around the facility.
RCS Review Statistics October - December 2006 Quarter
The Department have release the October – December 2006 RCS Statistics. Click here to view a copy.
News for Community Members
Community Aged Care Packages (CACP) application form error
It has been brought to the Department's attention that there is an error in a question in the Community Aged Care Packages (CACP) application form.
It involves
the issue of a reference to 'complex high care needs' in Question 13.1 of the
CACP application form.
The reference is incorrect.
Question 13.1 should simply state:
"Describe how you will provide care for people with dementia in a home-based environment" and the reference to 'complex high care needs' should be ignored.
The same correction should be made to the related instructions at page 36 of the Essential Guide.
To overcome the problems created by this error:
- the Department will advise attendees at Information Sessions of the correction;
- we will add this correction to an addendum to be inserted in the Application Kits;
- a correction has already been made to the web page;
- the Aged Care Information Line is to draw attention to the correction when taking orders for the Application Kits;
- We will write to everyone who has already had an application kit posted to them and
- state and territory offices have been alerted to the issue so that they can provide advise to callers/providers.
In addition, this issue will be discussed in assessor training manuals and no application will be disadvantaged if the applicant has attempted to answer the question originally posed.
Review of ACATs
The Review of ACAT commenced in late February and will conclude the end of June 2007. The review is being conducted by Communio Group following an open tender process. The review will comprise the following strategies:
- review of current literature, previous reviews and other relevant documentation
- the creation of a dedicated project website as the main information conduit for the life of the project
- the development of a survey for ACAT's building on the Alt Beatty survey used in 2000
- the conduct of 49 site visits to undertake a management and infrastructure stocktake
- the conduct of 12 case studies detailing service model, outcomes, barriers and drivers for best practice
- the conduct of stakeholder focus groups as part of the 12 case studies to canvas the views from services providers and clients/carers
- input from interested stakeholders via the website
- three verification workshops to ACAT's to present the findings and workshop the recommendations
- the production of a final report.
More information regarding the review and an electronic feedback form can be found on the Communio website. Feedback from stakeholders is due by the 7 th May. ACS will be providing input to the review on behalf of members via a national ACSA submission.
Better Practice Project
To all HACC Providers- news of the Train the Trainer Workshops re “Living as an Older Person”:
Workshops have been conducted in the following regions:
- Southern Metro
- Western Metro
- Northern Metro
- Eastern Metro
- South East country ( Mount Barker , Victor Harbor , Kangaroo Island , Riverland and Mount Gambier )
- North West Country (Wallaroo and Whyalla, Port Lincoln – scheduled May 18th and Laura - May 28th )
- ATSI workers (scheduled May 2nd )
- CALD workers (scheduled May 8th )
Waiting lists exist for some areas and if people have missed the opportunity to attend one of the workshops, regardless of which area they work in, please let us know as we are keen to accommodate them.
Outcomes to date: So far a number of agencies are picking up the training packages and implementing them in their programs in a range of ways. Other groups are keen to find other HACC programs to join them in this venture.
Feedback to date has emphasised the value of the training itself for their work places and also the value of working together to use these materials.
Handbook: this is proving to be a very popular tool/ resource with many uses and at different levels. If you wish to receive copies please let us know.
For further information in regards to this training, please contact Joyleen Thomas at the Better Practice Project via email or phone (08) 8338 7111.
The Future of Community Care Report
The National Community Care Coalition commissioned The Allen Consulting Group to research consumer choice and the future of community care for Australians. The purpose of the report is to explore strategies for reform of community care to improve the availability, responsiveness, flexibility and quality of services to better meet the needs of clients and carers now and into the future.
Three strategies are put forward in the Report.
Strategy 1: Improving Access and Appropriateness (target ways to improve clients' access to more appropriate services).
- Expanding the independence model of care,
- Improving respite care,
- More tailored provision to younger clients with disabilities,
- Better access and information.
Strategy 2: Increased Flexibility for Providers (give providers stronger incentives to meet clients' individual needs).
Strategy 3: Consumer Directed Care (provide clients with greater choice and control over the care they receive).
The report acknowledges the viability of community care now and into the future is dependent on an available and skilled workforce.
The report can be downloaded from the ACSA website.
FISH! Philosophy newsletter
A newsletter has been distributed this week to those who registered to attend the recent HACC funded FISH! Philosophy workshops. The purpose of the newsletter is to stimulate ideas about ways to improve service to consumers and our internal and external customers, while also making work a more enjoyable place to be. The newsletter's success will rely on your participation. If you have implemented any strategies under any of the four principles; Be There, Make Their Day, Choose Your Attitude and Play, and would be willing to share them, they will be printed in the newsletter. Your good ideas deserve to be celebrated. Your initiatives will help stimulate other ideas and your successes generate support from within and outside your organization.
Click here to view the FISH! Philosophy Newsletter.
Rural and Indigenous Research Centre
UniSA's Centre for Rural Health and Community Development in Whyalla, was officially opened on Friday 13 April. The newly created Centre for Rural Health and Community Development is an exciting joint venture that combines the resources and expertise of UniSA's Centre for Regional Engagement and the Spencer Gulf Rural Health School .
The Centre will focus on developing knowledge about rural and indigenous health and community and regional development that in turn will help to build sustainable and viable places to maximise the wellbeing of communities.
The Centre staff are therefore keen to build successful partnerships with regional communities and organisations in order to attract the greatest share of state and national research resources that will ultimately benefit those organisations and communities.
Further information is available from the UniSA website.
ACS/OFTA Meeting
ACS CEO Alan Graham , Community Services Manager Peta Braendler and Community Network Committee Chair Andrew Stoll , met with OFTA Director Anne Gale and Project Officer Mary Covernton on 4 April. Meetings are scheduled quarterly. Topics discussed included:
- Proposal for several workforce projects
- Update on the Equipment Project
- Follow Up on Kickstart initiatives – report to be available soon.
- Update on the new HACC Agreement – NT and NSW signed but SA still to sign.
- Community Care Reform –brief update
- Police Checks – seeking clarification about OFTA position on police checks for staff and volunteers working in HACC funded services.
For further information contact Peta Braendler via email or telephone 8338 7111.
Consumer Participation Framework
ACS's Quality Improvement Network has created the Consumer Participation Framework to provide examples of how service providers can incorporate meaningful consumer participation, or input, into every aspect of service planning, delivery and management. The Framework includes a useful list of resources that have been developed around quality standards and improvement including the following topics:
- HACC National Service Standards
- CACP/EACH and National Respite for Carers Program
- Service Excellence Program
- Consumer Participation/Empowerment
- Culturally and Linguistically Diverse
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
The Framework can be downloaded from the Members Only Section of the ACS website.
Feedback on the usefulness of the document would really be appreciated. Contact Carol Mohan via email or, telephone 8338 7111.
Veterans' Home Care
DVA has recently updated the information provided in the following VHC fact sheets:
- About Veterans' Home Care: HCS01
- Your Rights and Responsibilities: HCS04
- Domestic Assistance: HCS06
- Home and Garden Maintenance: HCS07
- Personal Care: HCS08
- Respite Care: HSV06
- Home and Community Care: HSV04
- Carer Support Programs: HSV40
The fact sheets can be found on the DVA Facts system of the DVA website.
Improved Access to GP Care for Veterans
War Veterans will have improved access to general practice medical services from 1 st May following the introduction of improved funding arrangements for the Local Medical Officer scheme for veterans' health care. A single Repatriation Medical Fee Schedule for procedures and consultations will be introduced, which means patients who see GPs for specialist services such as surgery and anaesthesia will not be disadvantaged. Up until now the DVA schedule has undervalued the role of procedural GPs compared to other specialists when treating veterans for the same care. The decision is especially significant for veteran patients in rural areas, where rural GPs are often responsible for delivering surgical care for veterans.
The Way Forward - Common Standards and National Quality Reporting Framework Consultation Paper
Common Standards and a National Quality Reporting Framework for community care is a key initiative of the reforms outlined in “A New Strategy for Community Care – The Way Forward”. The Australian Government, in partnership with State and Territory Governments, is seeking feedback from the community care sector on the proposed common standards and quality reporting approach. The National Quality Reporting Framework consultation paper contains background information about the project, the proposed common standards and reporting approach as well as a series of questions designed to obtain the sector's views prior to further development and testing.
Community
care sector engagement is a critical element of the reform process and providing
feedback on the National Quality Reporting Framework via the consultation paper
is an opportunity to help create consistent standards and more streamlined reporting
processes. ACS will be providing feedback on behalf of members through an ACSA
national response so please send through comments to Peta
Braendler by 8th May 2007.
Click here to download Streamlining
Quality Reporting (PDF, 362 kB)
National News from ACSA
ACSA National Report
The ACSA National Report Issue 153 is now available for downloading from the ACS Members Only website (you will need your username and password to access this).
Topics included in this Report are:
ACSA Meets New Minister
ACSA CEO Forum
Rhonda Parker New Aged Care Commissioner
The Future of Community Care Report
ACIC Federal Election Campaign
ACSA Police Checks System: Update and Hurry Up
ACFI Update
New Laws for Independent Contractors
ACAT Review
Employer of Choice Awards Feature Aged and Community Care Services
Flu Outbreaks in Nursing Homes
Australian Society of Geriatric Medicine (ASGM) Calls for Commonwealth to Take Responsibility
for Dental Care of Older Australians
Veterans' Affairs Update
National Conversation on Ethics of Caring in a Good Society
Conferences, Events
Research and News
ACS Education & Training Events
Click here to view the full current ACS Education & Training Calendar. The 07/08 Calendar is being finalised. Full details will be available shortly.
Retirement Housing Seminar – “Retirement Living – Doing it Well”
Date: 3rd May 2007
Time: 9.00am – 4.00pm
Venue: Stables Ballroom – Morphettville Junction
Registration Fees: ACS/RVA Members $110, Residents/Prospective Residents $55, Non Members $198
Proudly Sponsored by: ACSure (JLT Insurance), Doctor Safety Line, The Senior, Hames Sharley
This seminar is jointly presented to the industry by Aged & Community Services SA&NT and the Retirement Villages Association SA and will focus on three main themes:
• How to Age Well
• How to Market Well
• How to Build Well
Presentations will be made from interstate presenters on Ageing Successfully, Marketing your business and Building for Seniors. Local experts will outline the existing and future demographics of the market place and how providers can understand how marketing can work for them along with presentations from local providers on how they market to their future clients. This will be a brilliant forum that should not be missed.
For full Program Information please view the attached registration flyer. To register for this event, complete the registration form and return it to ACS via fax (08) 8338 7077.
Advanced Microsoft Excel 2003
Date: 9th May 2007
Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Venue: KAZ Training Rooms 30 Pirie Street , Adelaide
Registration Fees: Members $176, Non-Members $264
Students will cover the following topics:
- Working with advanced formulas, lookups and data tables
- Advanced list management
- Working with PivotTables
- Exporting and importing
- Using analytical options
- Working with macros
- Interactive web pages
- Using SharePoint services
…and much more.
Project Management Training
Date: 11th May 2007
Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Venue: ACS Training Rooms 246 Glen Osmond Road Fullarton
Registration Fees: Members $198, Non-Members $297
The program is advantageous to both people new Project Managers and also experienced project managers who have not undertaken any formal project management training.
Course Outline:
• Chapter 1: Introduction to project management
• Chapter 2: Defining the project
• Chapter 3: Planning
• Chapter 4: Implementing the project
• Chapter 5: Completing the project
Advanced Microsoft Publisher 2003
Date: 15th May 2007
Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Venue: KAZ Training Rooms 30 Pirie Street , Adelaide
Registration Fees: Members $176, Non-Members $264
This course is intended for people who wish to improve their knowledge and skills in the use of the software.
After completing this course, students will be able to:
- Create a newsletter and identify its components, add a customer address placeholder, change the layout of pages, apply a new design, insert pages, and insert a continued notice in a newsletter.
- Preview a Web site that was created in Publisher , create a Web site, insert and delete pages, format pages, and edit your personal information set, insert Web page components, such as logos, pictures, borders, background sounds, and motion clips, insert preformatted form pages, and create and customize form pages.
- Create and modify hyperlinks and work with hot spots.
- Import Word documents and Excel worksheets into a publication…and MUCH more!!!
Implement the Food Safety Program and Procedures
Date: 21st May 2007
Time: 9.00am – 4.00pm
Venue: ACS Training Rooms 246 Glen Osmond Road Fullarton
Registration Fees: Members $209, Non-Members $295
This one day intensive training program has been customised for participants working in hospitals and aged care facilities. It is designed to equip participants with the tools to develop and implement Food Safety Program. On successful completion of this course participants will receive a Statement of Completion from TAFE SA.
Training will cover:
Legislative Update
Requirements of Food Safety Standard 3.2.1
What is a Food Safety Program?
What are the benefits of a Food Safety Program
The 7 principles of HACCP
The relationship between HACCP and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)
Food Safety Program documentation
Establish procedures for identifying that the Food Safety Program is working correctly
Practical implementation strategies
Assessment task
Transitions to Management
Dates:
Day 1: Wednesday 23rd May 2007
Day 2: Wednesday 30th May 2007
Day 3: Wednesday 6th June 2007
Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Venue: Training Rooms ~ Aged & Community Services
Registration Fees: Members $550.00, Non-Members $814.00
Have you recently been promoted to the role of manager or supervisor? Have you taken on new responsibilities? Are you required to manage staff or volunteers? Have you had to step up from being a “doer” to a people manager? Are you an experienced manager who needs a refresher in management styles and dealing with people?
If you answered yes to any of these questions then you need to attend the “Transition to Management” program. This three day program, facilitated by Oz Train and tailored for ACS SA&NT members, will help you improve your knowledge and skills across a range of areas important for managers, including:
• Building health workplace relationships
• Managing and monitoring performances
• Preparing for today and planning for the future
• Dealing with difficult people situations
• Getting organized and managing your time
All training will be conducted by Oz Train and held at the ACS SA&NT Office, 246 Glen Osmond Road Fullarton SA 5063.
Managing Claims and Return to Work
Date: 29 th May 2007
Time: 9.00am – 4.00pm
Venue: ACS Training Rooms 246 Glen Osmond Road Fullarton
Registration Fees: Members $220, Non-Members $330
This course is designed for line managers or others that have responsibility for the management of claims or the return to work process for employees injured or ill through work. The course provides an-in-depth look at how managers can assist with the return to work and rehabilitation of such employees. The course content includes practical application of legal or other requirements to facilitate an early return to work and case closure, improving productivity and reducing costs. All participants will receive a comprehensive workbook.
Workplace Mediation
Date: 4th June 2007
Time: 9.00am – 5.00pm
Venue: ACS Training Rooms 246 Glen Osmond Road Fullarton
Registration Fees: Members $198, Non-Members $297
Workplace Mediation is a structured process whereby an impartial mediator facilitates communication between those in dispute in order for them to come up with mutually agreed solutions on how to improve their working relationships in the future'
Mediation can be used in the workplace for:
- Managing conflict between individuals and teams within the organization
- Improving working relationships between managers and staff members
- Assisting people to deal with the change process in organizations
- Encouraging a no blame, problem solving culture where people feel more able to handle problems in a more constructive way.
- Assisting you and your staff to re-establish respectful, professional working relations.
- Agenda setting
- Exploration of issues
- Joined negotiations
- Agreement/closure
- Possible sources of conflict within teams
Program outline:
• What is Mediation
• Role of the Mediator (What it is and isn't)
• How does Mediation work?
• The Mediation Process:
Understanding the benefits of being Political Savvy
Date: 8th June 2007
Time: 9.00am – 12.30pm
Venue: ACS Training Rooms 246 Glen Osmond Road Fullarton
Registration Fees: Members $121, Non-Members $220
While most staff are wary of organisational politics, most also would love to know how to be more influential.
Politically Savvy leaders know how to manage politics. They take initiative, forge alliances, press for consensus, and ultimately help others maximize their impact so that the organisation can thrive and grow.
Inspirational leadership without the grounding or organisational politics risks becoming hollow rhetoric or ineffective day dreaming. Political savvy is about the way successful leaders at all levels of an organisation can operate ethically both in the open and behind the scenes to work the darker side of organisational life.
This program will challenge you to rethink the nature of organisational politics, and to identify your personal political style. It will encourage you to practice positive politics to gain a more effective outcome for yourself and your organisation.
Incident Investigation
Date: 20th June 2007
Time: 9.00am – 4.00pm
Venue: ACS Training Rooms 246 Glen Osmond Road Fullarton
Registration Fees: Members $220, Non-Members $330
This course is designed to provide line managers or others responsible for investigating accidents at work with all the information they need to both understand why they undertake the investigation and how to conduct the investigation. The course covers legal requirements for reporting as well as practical aspects of how, when and why of incident investigations.
All participants will receive a comprehensive workbook.
This workshop will be conducted by Performis who provide a full range of OHS and associated training, from induction services to senior officer responsibilities and specialised competency courses.
Industry Education & Training Events
40th National AAG Conference
The Australian Association of Gerontology (AAG) has announced it will hold its 2007 National Conference in Adelaide during November. To be held 21 - 23 November 2007 at the Adelaide Hilton Hotel, the Conference will focus on the theme ‘BeyOND 2007 Ageing: Evolution and Revolution.'
The Conference is the major annual activity of the Australian Association of Gerontology (AAG), which brings together professionals interested in promoting education and research into all aspects of ageing. The Association encourages cross disciplinary exchange of ideas amongst professionals including clinicians, therapists, social scientists, economists and demographers.
The AAG is now calling for abstracts for the Conference. If you are a professional working in ageing, whether you are developing policy, an active researcher, an educator, a service provider or a consumer and you have research, policy or practice information to share, then the AAG National Conference will provide a wide, diverse, well informed and well connected audience. The AAG program committee welcomes abstracts that are informative, relevant and contribute to the ageing research and education agenda.
Over the years James Bond has adapted and changed to suit the audience of the times. The 2007 Conference will follow through on this theme of adaptation highlighting that ageing can be viewed in much the same way as Bond. New technologies, innovative thinking, changing social structures, policies and community attitudes impact on the way we view and manage ageing today. The 2007 Conference will offer opportunities to showcase these evolutions and revolutions in ageing.
The 3-day Conference will include plenary, concurrent and poster presentations as well as a social program designed to maximise networking for attendees in the wine and festival capital of Australia
Further information on the Conference, including a ‘Call for Abstracts' is available on the AAG website or by contacting the Conference Managers via phone 02 6650 9800 or email.
Community Managers & Care Worker Training
“Working with older people with Mental health problems”
Thursday 29 th March & Thursday 31 st May 2007.
Click here to view full Training details.
Member Services
ACS SA&NT have entered into arrangements with a range of businesses to provide cost effective and quality services to its members. Please be advised that ACS SA&NT has entered into these arrangements with a financial benefit for the Association. Currently arrangements have been made with
Message Media - SMS Messaging
OCAR - Employment Assistance Program
Mutual Community - ACS Health Insurance Plan
Jardine Lloyd Thompson - ACSure Insurance
Management Update
Click here to view recent or previous issues of the ACS Management Update.
SMS messaging
Does your organisation waste countless hours every week, trying to fill gaps in staff rosters? messagemedia solves this problem. Harness the speed, convenience and cost effectiveness of SMS messaging, which is unrivalled by any other communication medium. Faster than email, less intrusive and cheaper than phone calls – SMS has become an essential business tool.
Instead of phoning members of staff one by one to see if they want an extra shift, send an SMS to the staff from your PC instantly. Sending the group SMS from your PC takes seconds, you include a phone number in the message so that staff that want to work the shift can call you. In our experience the whole process including the staff member calling in takes approximately 5 minutes.
Through a joint arrangement established between ACS SA&NT and messagemedia ACS SA&NT members are able to purchase the SMS messaging product at a reduced rate of $349.00 (saving $100.00). Call 1300 767 903 to discover more about the incredible impact messagemedia will have on your organisation.
Click here to download an expression of interest. Upon completion of this form messagemedia will contact you.
Do you have an Employee Assistance Program?
As part of our ongoing commitment to strengthen services and opportunities for Members, ACS SA&NT is pleased to be able to provide members with access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). ACS SA&NT has entered into an agreement with OCAR Workplace Consulting to provide an EAP to members at a substantially reduced rate. (Payment is made on a quartlery basis)
An EAP is a confidential counselling service designed to offer an effective means of assisting employees with problems that may eventually affect job performance and personal well-being. Employees have access to qualified counsellors who are located outside of their workplace and are trained to help people identify and resolve their problems. It has been advised that the Unions are in favour of EAP in businesses and often quality and standards accreditation also favour EA programs.
OCAR Workplace Consulting will provide the services of the EAP to members who join this service.
Click here to download an expressionof interest form. Upon completion of this form OCAR will contact you to commence the service.
ACSure - meeting your insurance needs
JLT Health & Aged Care has been servicing those operating and living in aged care facilities nationally for almost a decade and utilising this experience have developed ACSure in consultation with the management and membership of ACS SA & NT. JLT Health and Aged Care offer a range of ACSure product packages which ensure compliance with the Aged Care Act and structures packages for both small and large operators, including aged care facility operators, retirement living services and community care providers. ACSure are now online - click here to view their website.
For more information contact Kerrie Zwart or call 8418 0288.