Response 480539938

Back to Response listing

Submission upload

Please choose one of the following options:

Please select one item
(Required)
I would like to upload a written submission and DO NOT want to complete the online consultation questions
I would like to upload a written submission AND complete the online consultation questions
I do not want to upload a written submission

Assessments of criminal history

1. What is your preferred approach to aged care worker criminal history assessments?

Please select one item
Option A1 - Providers continue to assess criminal history for workers in line with aged care legislation, funding agreements and guidance
Option A2 - Centralised assessment of criminal history for workers (based on NDIS model)
Provide reasons for your preferred approach (optional)
Provides clear guidelines for Service Providers to follow

2. Are there other options that should be considered?

Provide your answer below
Continue to provide Police Clearances and disclosure from aged care workers

Assessment of information other than criminal history

3. If there were to be a centralised assessment of criminal history, should any other matters be routinely taken into account? If so, which of the following options should be considered?

Please select all that apply
Option B1 – Information from disciplinary bodies such as health complaints bodies, the NDIS Commission and National Boards
Option B2 – Information from relevant government agencies
Option B3 – Information from courts and tribunals
Option B4 – Information from employers
Provide reasons for your selection/s (optional)
Information that can provide feedback and reflect on an Aged Care Workers professional history would be able to be provided in the event an Aged Care Worker does not openly disclose their history

4. Are there any other matters that should/should not be considered as part of any aged care worker screening scheme?

Provide your answer below
No

Code of Conduct

5. What is your preferred approach to a code of conduct?

Please select one item
Option C1 – Retain existing arrangements requiring providers to ensure the conduct of aged care workers is in line with the Aged Care Quality Standards and Charter of Aged Care Rights (status quo)
Option C2 – Adopt the NDIS Code of Conduct for aged care workers
Option C3 – Develop a new code of conduct specific to aged care workers
Provide reasons for your selection (optional)
Centralise the existing system so that it captures information in regard to workers who work with both aged care and disability funded clients. There are many clients that have multiple funding available to them and some workers who leave the disability field and move to the aged care field as they are no longer able to work in the disability field due to the NDIS scheme if they have a previous history of non-compliance

6. What do you consider are the advantages and disadvantages of introducing a code of conduct for aged care workers?

Provide your answer below
Aged Care workers need to be held accountable and be aware that they have a code of conduct to adhere to. Will be beneficial to attract people to have professional standards to follow and regulate the care worker cohort

Proficiency in English

7. What is your preferred approach to strengthening English proficiency in aged care?

Please select one item
Option D1 – Require providers to be satisfied that PCWs have the necessary English proficiency to effectively perform their role (extension of the status quo with improved guidance as to the expected thresholds for proficiency)
Option D2 – Establish a requirement for PCWs to demonstrate their proficiency in English as part of a registration process (consistent with the National Scheme)
Provide reasons for your selection (optional)
Note taking and report writing is essential in the field and communication between all staff and clients is required. Vital information to be conducted to workers must be comprehended in written form.

8. What are the other options for strengthening English proficiency in aged care (particularly for those providing personal and clinical care)?

Provide your answer below
N/A

Minimum qualifications

9. What is your preferred approach to minimum qualifications?

Please select one item
Option E1 – Providers must ensure that PCWs are competent and have the qualifications and knowledge to effectively perform their role (status quo)
Option E2 – Require providers to be satisfied that PCWs have certain minimum qualifications or competencies
Option E3 – Establish a requirement for PCWs to demonstrate their qualifications as part of a registration process (consistent with the National Scheme)
Provide reasons for your selection (optional)
Difficult to attract trained PCW's in the existing community care industry and further requirements would potentially be a further deterrent to attracting staff to work as PCW's.

10. What are the other options for strengthening the skills and knowledge of PCWs in delivering aged care?

Provide your answer below
On the Job training programs in accordance with Aged Care Legislation. Upskilling PCW's and providing education options that attract PCWs to continue to upskill and reeducate themselves as Quality Standards continue to be updated. Offering Government funding to ensure PCW's are able to continue to educate themselves

Continuing professional development

11. What is your preferred approach to continuing professional development?

Please select one item
Option F1 – Retain existing arrangements whereby providers must ensure that PCWs are recruited, trained, equipped and supported to deliver the outcomes required by the Aged Care Quality Standards (status quo)
Option F2 – Require providers to be satisfied that PCWs meet specified minimum CPD requirements
Option F3 – Establish a requirement for PCWs to demonstrate they have met specified minimum CPD requirements as part of a registration process (consistent with the National Scheme)
Provide reasons for your selection (optional)
Adherence to a national system where skills are transferrable would assist all providers/employers and reduce the organisational training costs

12. What are the other options for strengthening the CPD of PCWs and others delivering aged care?

Provide your answer below
Online learning tools available that are consistently available and transferrable amongst all states (Nationally recognised)

Positive register and/or list of excluded workers

13. How should the register of workers be presented?

Please select one item
Option G1 – A list of workers who have been cleared to work in aged care (positive list)
Option G2 – A list of workers who have been excluded from working in aged care (negative list)
Option G3 – A list of workers who have been cleared to work in aged care and a list of workers who are excluded from working in aged care

Identifying the appropriate regulatory body

14. What are the advantages and disadvantages of different bodies managing screening of all aged care workers and/or registration of PCWs?

Provide your answer below
Disadvantage is there are different systems, registrations, online platforms and potential varying timeframes that could affect the recruitment of aged care workers into being actively employed. Multiple barriers to employment are a deterrant for both employers and potential employees.

Intersection with other like schemes

15. In principle, should a person cleared to work with people with a disability be automatically cleared to work in aged care?

Please select one item
Yes
No

16. Are there any other clearances that should support automatic clearance in aged care?

Provide your answer below
Disability Worker Exclusion Scheme should be aligned with Aged Care industry

17. What are the relevant considerations regarding the interplay between Ahpra (and any other professional registrations) and PCW registration for aged care?

Provide your answer below
Ahpra works well as it is easy to look up a potential employees details.
CPD points for those registered with AHPRA is a requirement therefore professional development is adhered to for registered professionals.