Guidance Matters: No. 3 April 2019

no.3, April 2019

In this issue: The PPCR and EB 9 negotiations/campaign | Pursuit of full award coverage for senior guidance officers | Update on the pursuit of increased permanent appointments for acting or temporary GO | Update on the DoE Guidance Working Party Review report |  QTU GO and Senior GO brochure

Welcome to the third edition of the QTU’s Guidance Matters Update. To ensure that you receive future editions, please visit www.qtu.asn.au/MyQTU to make sure your contact details are up to date.

Introduction

In early April,  the QTU hosted separate senior guidance officer and guidance officer teleconferences, which were well supported by members. At least 90 GOs joined the teleconference on 3 April.   

Thank you to all of you who joined the teleconference.  Thanks also to those who let the QTU know that they couldn’t take part but did appreciate the opportunity being provided.

Importantly, it is the knowledge and analysis of our members that is underpinning the progress being made by the QTU on guidance matters. 

QTU Officers and Organisers are happy to meet with guidance officers in regions, particularly before, during or after a regional meeting, if we have notice and are available.  Further, the QTU encourages guidance members to participate actively in the democratic structures of the Union.  Branch meetings are a key feature;  and in some rural areas and in remote areas, branch meetings occur via teleconference, so members in those locations can simply join in from their schools or dial in from home.

For the guidance officer group particularly, the recent teleconference was a sound way to provide a statewide update. If we use this or a similar method in the future, we will certainly attempt to provide clear instructions to assist participation.  Alternatively, one guidance member suggested that a webinar might be a better way. 

1.      The Promotional Positions Classification Review (PPCR) and EB 9 negotiations/campaign

At both teleconferences, updates were provided in relation to the context around the department’s release of the PPCR Report.  At the 9 March QTU State Council meeting, branch representatives from across the state considered the progress of EB negotiations and the outcomes of the PPCR.  Last year, QTU members from classroom teachers to princpals decided that implementing the PPCR should be a priority in the forthcoming EB negotiations. The report to State Council, which was informed by the active consideration of matters at the QTU’s Education Leaders Committee, highlighted that:

• the report released on 21 December 2018 is a departmental document and is not endorsed by the QTU
• parity between sectors is a principle that should be addressed in negotiations
• reliance on evaluations using the same job evaluation methodology will largely replicate the current structure and reflect historical resource allocations
• a number of principal positions in specialised settings (eg. OEECs, detention centres, hospital schools) are not properly evaluated using this methodology
• none of the three options are acceptable in their current form
• there should be no contracts, or even s122 agreements, for school leaders
• no position will go backwards in terms of remumeration

The State Council endorsesd a range of key positions that are of relevance to guidance members.  Details are contained in the March PPCR Update.  
Of particular note was the resolution: 

“That the PPCR working group raise with the department the appropriate classification level for guidance officers and senior guidance officers, in recognition of the unique role and additional specific qualifications that are required for the position which need to be acknowledged and appropriately remunerated.”

The focus is not narrowly on the qualification but on the recognition that the qualification is inherently linked to the “value of the role”.  The specific knowledge signified by the attainment of the qualification is intrinsically linked to the significant tasks guidance officers and senior guidance officers undertake. The uniqueness of the role is captured in the Guidance Review Working Party Final Report, which is summarised later in this Update.  

Further, the April PPCR Update has now been emailed out.  It is important to remain engaged and informed.  For members seeking deep knowledge, it is best to read the February edition, which provided the QTU’s analysis of the report. Members have indicated that the February edition is very helpful in setting the context. The Queensland Teachers’ Journal is providing regular articles on both EB9 and the negotiation of the Union’s claim, as well as specific reports on PPCR. 

2.    Pursuit of full award coverage for senior guidance officers

This matter is clearly listed in the QTU’s log of claims.  On behalf of members, the QTU is seeking full coverage of senior guidance officers. Whether the department agrees to inclusion or not, the matter will need to go to the Industrial Relations Commission.  The Together Union is supportive of this part of the QTU’s claim. 

3.    Update on the pursuit of increased permanent appointments for acting or temporary GOs

The QTU is seeking an update on the number of positions that were made permanent in mid to late 2018 and early 2019 as a result of this campaign.  The initial figures provided in March 2017 indicated that there were five FTE who had been employed precariously in an ongoing way for more than 10 years.  Ancedotally, with the passage of time, the number of permanent appointments made for acting and temporary GOs with 10 – 15 years of ongoing service will significantly exceed five FTEs.  

Some regions are beginning to review those guidance officers in the 5-10 year tranche. The QTU will continue to work through central office and with regions to progress this important work. 

4.    Update on the DoE Guidance Working Party Review report

In 2015, the Deputy Director-General, State Schools Division approved the formation of a working party to review matters related to the qualifications required for GO roles and GO and SGO role descriptions.  It wasn’t until October 2016 that the Guidance Review Working Party was established.  The working party had princpals, SGOs, a GO, and representatives from HR, State Schools – Operations and the QTU.  

The working party met seven times during term four 2016 and into early 2017.  The focus of the meetings fell into these major areas:

• training, mandatory qualifications and selection processes of GOs
• recruitment challenges to fill the growing demand for guidance services
• psychoeducational assessment and career counselling responsibilities of GOs
• induction, supervision and performance development for the guidance workforce. 

A key foundational position of the report is that the Department of Education is committed to the guidance workforce and acknowledges that the workforce undertakes vital work supporting students, staff and families within school communities. The report acknowledges that the roles and responsibilities of GOs and SGOs are complex and professionally challenging.  

Twenty-six specific actions were proposed in the 22 page report.  The actions have been synthesised to form six key recommendations.  They are:

1. establish a statewide advisory group of SGOs to provide professional oversight on matters related to the continued delivery of high quality guidance services
2. develop and/or review best practice guidelines, frameworks and resources to ensure they reflect evidence-based practice in key areas of guidance services
3. liaise with relevant universities and professional organisations to negotiate training modules and bridging courses, and ensure key competency areas are included in guidance and counselling courses
4. amend the mandatory qualifications of GOs and SGOs to capture the commitment to employ GOs with teacher registration and classroom teaching experience
5. increase the number of GOs and SGOs with registration as a psychologist
6. implement a workforce capability initiative focused on promoting the work of GOs and SGOs and enhance recruitment, selection, and training strategies. 
    

The final report and its recommendations have been accepted by the Department of Education. When the department publishes the report, a copy will be placed on the QTU website at www.qtu.asn.au/guidance-officers

5.  QTU Guidance Officers and Senior Guidance Officers brochure

The brochure provides a summary of conditions particularly relevant to GOs and SGOs.  Of note is the need to end the practice of requesting GOs in the regional guidance pool to fill in a relocation application when requesting consideration of a move.  The appropriate process is summarised in the brochure.  Only GOs seeking a move into a new region or from an IPS school where they have been appointed permanently would need to apply for a relocation.  

Information on other employment conditions such as meal breaks, rostered duty time, part-time work etc can be found on the QTU website or by emailing the relevant query to qtad@qtu.asn.au