Page 289 - Week 01 - Thursday, 17 February 2011
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MS BURCH: That was the teaching staff?
Mr Smyth: The youth workers and the teaching staff.
MS BURCH: The teachers are employed through the Department of Education and Training; therefore I think the bulk of them are teachers. I know they do contract some work through CIT to do some vocational based training. They would be skilled according to requirements of CIT.
As far as the training for youth workers is concerned, we provide training. There is a range of qualifications, and that would be inherent in people who would have an interest in working there. But certainly staff are now enrolled in cert IV in youth work through CIT. There are 25 existing staff who are enrolled at the moment, and we have got 15 staff who are enrolled in the diploma course and five enrolled in the advanced diploma course of youth work. We are leaning towards that being the base course; it is offered here locally at CIT, which is a fantastic institution. But some workers may come with additional skill sets as well.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Smyth, a supplementary?
MR SMYTH: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Minister, are there any youth workers or teaching staff currently working at Bimberi who do not meet those qualification requirements? If so, why are they so engaged?
MS BURCH: As I said, the teaching staff would go through the quality standards of DET, and I am sure that that has been met. For staff that do not have a cert IV in youth work we enrol them in CIT. I think I have just said to Mr Smyth that 25 existing staff are enrolled in a cert IV in youth work.
MR SPEAKER: Mrs Dunne, a supplementary?
MRS DUNNE: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Minister, what process of identification of suitability and what security, health and medical checks are made before the engagement of youth workers and teachers is confirmed at Bimberi?
MS BURCH: As part of the recruitment process there would be a comprehensive suite of checks and balances to make sure that we get appropriate people. What I will bring in next time—perhaps the interest will be gone—
Mrs Dunne: No.
MS BURCH: No? I am actually glad you will not lose interest in the youth justice system here because you are a bit of a Johnny-come-lately, Mrs Dunne, to this matter.
Opposition members interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Order! Let us get on with the answer, thank you.
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