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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1997 Week 14 Hansard (11 December) . . Page.. 5054 ..

MR STEFANIAK (continuing):

operate in schools the Parents and Citizens Association takes responsibility for the operation of the program or alternatively may seek an outside operator to manage the program. The principal is expected to sign a licence agreement with the P & C for the program to use part of

the school premises to operate the program. Rental is payable by the program for the use of the premises. The Department is responsible for the maintenance of schools in which the program operates.

3) All school age care programs must meet the licence conditions attached to the Act.

4) Documentation required is that demanded under licence conditions.

5) Management committees must meet responsibilities as employers and as licensees. Some assistance such as information and training is provided by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Family Services and resources are available from the ACT Children's Services Resource and Advisory Program. Children's Day Care Services also provides some management advice and support as well as their licensing role.

6) The licensee is responsible for the duty of care. Legal implications are the same as for any situation where children are cared for.

7) Breaches of licence conditions do occur and are dealt with by Children's Day Care Services under the requirements of the Children's Services Act 1986. Details of any particular breaches cannot be divulged however the number of breaches for all child care services investigated by Children's Day Care Services in 1996/97 was 134. This compares with 135 complaints and breaches in the previous year 1995/96.

8) Pay scales are set under the ACT Child Care Award or under Enterprise Bargaining Agreements. The Department has no jurisdiction over the pay or conditions of child care workers.

9) A review of licence conditions with extensive consultation of service providers has just been completed. The new licence conditions which incorporate national standards and accompanying handbook was launched on 20 November 1997. A copy of the licence handbook has been provided to Ms Tucker. In addition legislative changes to the Children's Services Act 1986 are proposed and a discussion paper is available outlining the proposed changes for child care services.

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