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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 06 Hansard (Thursday, 24 June 2004) . . Page.. 2800 ..

(5) Housing ACT policies do not discriminate between men and women with children in relation to application or allocation. In addition, the Department is currently undertaking a process to fund a community Housing provider to provide accommodation and support for households headed by a single male.

Public service—staff training
(Question No 1518)

Mrs Burke asked the Minister for Disability, Housing and Community Services, upon notice, on 5 May 2004:

(1) What increased staff training opportunities for staff of the Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services, and particularly for staff of the working in A.C.T. shop fronts, has the Department, under the direction of the Minister, provided;

(2) Can the Minister provide a detailed summary of all courses;

(3) If such courses were mandatory, how many staff attended and what areas did they come from within the Department.

Mr Wood: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:

(1) The Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services has provided a broad range of training opportunities for its staff. Since July 2003, more than 80 different training courses have been offered. Gateway Services staff, which includes staff working in shop fronts, have attended over 2000 hours of training so far.

(2) Due to the large volume of training provided, it is not possible to provide a detailed summary of all courses. However, the training has been in the areas of Certificate IV in Government (Social Housing); Certificate III in Disability Work, Certificate IV in Government (Project Management); Diploma of Government; Certificate IV in Workplace Training and Assessment; Certificate IV of Community Mediation, interpersonal skills and team work, including conflict management and negotiation, communication, leadership, software applications, writing skills, emergency procedures, infection control, advanced driving skills, self injurious behaviour, ACT Vision and Values, medication administration, First Aid, Professional Assault Response Training, epilepsy training, client safety workshops and manual handling.

(3) The majority of training for Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services staff is not mandatory. In accordance with the principles of adult learning, workplace based training is more effective when it responds to an individual need for personal development. Appropriate training for each staff member is identified through discussion between the staff member and their supervisor, including through a comprehensive Performance Management Planning process.

However, Induction Training for new staff members in Disability Support Officer Positions, and Housing Manager positions, is compulsory. Since 1 July 2003, 100% of new housing managers have relevant induction training, and 100% of new Disability Support Officers have relevant induction training.

Please note that the induction training programs for these staff are specific to their roles. The induction training for Housing Managers includes interpersonal and client service

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