“It’s our polite nudge in the ribs to help you and your team stay organised and on task.”
This week’s subject is Staff inductions
Element 7.1.3: Roles and responsibilities are clearly defined, and understood, and support effective decision-making and operation of the service
Do you follow a comprehensive induction checklist for the orientation of new employees to ensure they have the best start and are set up to succeed within their roles and incorporation into the team and service?
Your staff induction procedure should be a comprehensive process, completed over a period of time involving ongoing collaboration and consultation to ensure that the new employee is equipped with the knowledge and tools to successfully integrate into the service and develop a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities.
Ensure you customise your induction content/information to suit individual employees’ knowledge, experience, roles, responsibilities and skills whilst ensuring all critical areas are covered.
Each individual who begins work at the service should have a clear understanding of their role, responsibilities and the expectations for their performance. They should be encouraged to engage with the philosophy and context that underpin the operation of the service as early as possible. A comprehensive induction process plays a critical role in creating and maintaining a positive and professional culture. Guide to the NQF
Community based Services should also have a strategy in place to ensure effective induction of management committee members, taking into account the time constraints that are often present with onboarding individuals into voluntary positions. Providing Committee Members with crucial information will ensure they’re aware of their roles and responsibilities and the format of general meetings and AGMs. Your Service may engage Committee Members in professional development covering Management Committees roles and responsibilities as the approved provider and information about the NQF.
Your staff induction process and checklist should include:
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- documents to provide to the staff member, such as Job Description, Staff Handbook (including agreement to sign and return), National Employment Standards, key policies and procedures that staff must be familiar with before their first day, contract of employment, ECA Code of Ethics, Code of Conduct etc
- a tour of the physical environment
- review of the daily routines
- planning cycle and location of documentation
- cleaning procedures and routines
- safety checks
- storage of equipment and resources
- children with additional needs, allergies, asthma and anaphylaxis and location of medical management plans
- family law/parenting orders
- WHS and reporting procedures
- staffing arrangements, including rostering, shift responsibilities, breaks, lockers, tearoom/staff area, staff bathrooms, sign in/out procedures, staff communication, use of mobile phones and smart watches etc.
- emergency information including emergency evacuation procedures, location of fire extinguishers and blankets, location of Safety Data Sheets, emergency contact numbers, First Aid Kits etc.
- administration of medication procedures and location of forms and medication
- food safety, storage and hygiene procedures
- digital logins and use of Service software
Resources:
Supporting an Engaging Induction Process
The Sector- Everything you need to know about inducting a new ECEC employee
Supporting Performance and Development of Professionals
CELA: Management Committee Training Portal
Within System7 go to Quality Are 7/Module 28 to submit self-assessment notes and if required, open a QIP issue if you identify any areas of improvement.
The Childcare Centre Desktop has a range of resources to assist services with roles and responsibilities and staff induction. These include Probation Induction and Orientation Policy, New Employee Induction Checklist, Casual Employee Induction Checklist, Student Volunteer Induction Checklist, New Committee Member Induction Checklist, and much more.
Resources, NQS Element, Regulation and System7 links:
Childcare Centre Desktop – Childcare Centre Desktop
National Quality Standard – QA 7/ 7.1.3- Roles and responsibilities
National Regulations – 84, 90(1)(b), 168, 170
System7 Module – QA 7/ Module 28
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