2006-2007 Annual Report - Disability Services Commission

4.3 Other Financial Disclosures
The Commission is also taking part in a cross-sector Building Our Workforce project
that aims to raise awareness and promote the role of direct care staff. This will
enhance the recruitment and retention of staff throughout the sector, including the
Commission.
Further information on the Commission’s equity and diversity outcomes has been
provided in Chapter 4.5.4.
Learning and development has been promoted through a range of avenues. These
included the Best Practice network in which 12 agencies now participate; and
membership of the Committee of Management of the Industry Training and Advisory
Board.
The Commission has continued to provide formal in-house training in disability
services through its Learning and Development Branch which has a Registered
Training Organisation status.
Due to the ongoing high demand for training across the sector, the Commission has
continued to include direct care staff from other agencies in its programs. These
comprise a seven-day induction program, Certificate III and IV in Disability Work,
and a five-day refresher program for staff. In the past year, 164 competency-based
training sessions were attended by both external direct care staff and Commission
direct care staff.
The Commission continued to actively support TAFE students and Aboriginal people
to develop disability work knowledge and skills. This has been further enhanced
through the signing of a memorandum of understanding with the Marr Mooditj
Foundation aimed at developing and delivering teaching, learning and assessment
programs.
Commission employees have undertaken a range of internal and external training
and development programs to maintain and develop their skills and knowledge,
including: positive behaviour support; manutention; passive self-defence; meal-time
management; infection control; discipline procedures; performance management;
grievance management; Code of Ethics and Code of Personal Conduct; Recruitment
and Selection; and awareness-raising in relation to family and domestic violence.
Further detail regarding some of this training is provided at Chapter 4.5.2
Staff Recognition
The Commission conducted its annual Staff Awards ceremony in June 2007. One
scholarship was awarded under the Honourable Ray Young Scholarship, while
18 individuals and work groups were recognised for staff achievements and more
than 90 employees from the Accommodation Services Directorate were presented
with Certificates III and IV in Disability Work.
In a separate initiative, staff members with 20, 25, 30 or 35 years of continuous
service were recognised with certificates.
126 Disability Services Commission Annual Report 2006–2007