Amberley O.S.H.C.

Children are our future, We are dedicated to their success!

10.9 Risk Management and Compliance

Amberley OSHC is, like all other enterprises, subject to a number of risks and important legal, regulatory, industry and policy requirements.  Amberley OSHC is a responsible organisation and seeks to act in a risk aware fashion, including by identifying and managing material risks and ensuring compliance as far as reasonably possible with all such requirements, in the interests of better providing Amberley OSHC and avoiding exposure to breaches which could threaten the delivery of some or all parts of Amberley OSHC.

Relevant Laws and other Provisions

The laws and other provisions affecting this policy include:

  • Education and Care Services National Law Act, 2010 and Regulations 2011
  • Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and Regulations 2011
  • Duty of Care
  • Associations Incorporation Act, 1981,(Qld) or Corporations Act, 2001 may apply (eg directors’ duties) to your management committee or board or other governing body. Take expert advice if you are unsure of this.
  • Australian Standard on Risk Management – AS/NZ ISO 31000:2009
  • Australian Standard on Compliance – AS/NZ 3806-2006
  • Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000 and Regulations 2011
  • Family and Child Commission Act 2014
  • NQS Area: 2.1.4; 2.2.2; 2.3; 4.1; 4.2.1; 7.1.1, 7.1.4, 7.1.5; 2.3; 7.3.1, 7.3.2, 7.3.3, 7.3.5.
  • Policies: 10 – Reporting Guidelines and Directions Policy for Handling Disclosures and Suspicions of Harm, 3.5 – Excursions, 3.6 – Transport for Excursions, 5.1 – Food Handling and Storage, 6.1 – Space and Facilities Requirements, 6.3 – Workplace Health and Safety, 7.1 – Emergency Equipment and Facilities, 8.1 – Role and Expectations of Educators, 10.1 – Quality Compliance.

Procedures

The Management Committee will, in conjunction with the Nominated Supervisor, take responsibility to develop, maintain and monitor a risk management program appropriate to Amberley OSHC, including a method of ensuring that Amberley OSHC takes appropriate steps to comply with:

  • The Policies and Procedures of Amberley OSHC;
  • Commission for Children Young People and Child Guardian requirements;
  • Work Health and Safety Practices;
  • Equal Opportunity Employment;
  • Adequate insurance;
  • Amberley OSHC Approval status applicable to Amberley OSHC (see Policy 10.5 – Approval Requirements under Legislation) and other relevant laws applicable to Amberley OSHC;
  • Maintenance of equipment and facilities.

The Management Committee, in conjunction with Amberley OSHC Nominated Supervisor, will develop and manage, through its regular meetings, an annual rolling program of reviews of all of the Policies and Procedures of Amberley OSHC, to ensure that they comply with relevant requirements.

The Nominated Supervisor, or his/her delegate, acting as Quality Officer (see Policy 10.1 – Quality Compliance) is responsible to monitor changes in current laws and other regulatory requirements.  To do this, the Nominated Supervisor will proactively and fully inform her/himself, through subscribing to appropriate information services, industry bodies and attending all relevant and appropriate forums for discussing these issues.

The Nominated Supervisor monitors staff on an ongoing basis, and through formal annual performance reviews, to ensure, amongst other things, that they understand and apply these Policies and Procedures.

The Nominated Supervisor informs educators of all such changes and requirements through the educator training program (See Policy 8.4 – Educator Professional Development and Learning), regular team meetings and/or service communication book.

High risk activities and special events

High level risks and special events shall be identified from time to time within the program, through consultation with educators, management and other relevant stakeholders.  Such events may include but are not limited to excursions and/or incursions.

The risk management process shall be conducted for each of the activities identified as a high risk or special event and shall be conducted prior to the scheduled timeframe for the event or activity.

All relevant stakeholders shall be informed of how Amberley OSHC intends to manage high level and special event risks and appropriate training and support for stakeholders will be made accessible.

Crisis and critical events

This may include emergency situations such as fire, flood, other natural disasters, external threats, evacuation etc.

Preventative measures shall be taken to prepare for critical events such as:

  • Developing risk management plans for possible emergency situations (e.g. fire, flood). Management plans may include strategies for overnight stays and/or food restrictions;
  • Creating a ‘storm pack’ including a torch and batteries, radio, rations etc.

The details of the crisis or critical event shall be documented on a service incident report and shall include the projected impact on the stakeholders within Amberley OSHC, immediate actions, follow up actions and ongoing actions.

Immediate actions may include:

  • Carrying out plans as per Amberley OSHC risk management process;
  • Ensuring immediate safety of those involved;
  • Administering first aid;
  • Reassuring children, families, employees, volunteers and students;
  • Seeking assistance from emergency services and management;
  • Accompanying children or others to hospital by ambulance when necessary.

Follow up actions may include:

  • Seeking access or referral to, appropriate counselling and critical incident debriefing services to provide support to those affected within Amberley OSHC including children, families, employees and management.
  • Observing children’s reactions and behaviour;
  • Supporting children to appropriately express thoughts and feelings;
  • Providing a stable and nurturing environment with familiar routines;
  • Supporting employees through team meetings and accessing relief employees to support when appropriate;
  • Providing professional support and special leave when needed;
  • Supporting families through meetings and written information;
  • Managing media attention attracted by newspapers, radio and television through appropriate and effective methods of communication. This may involve nominating a media contact to manage the communication to ensure consistency of information and reduction in misinformation and speculation;
  • Notifying the Regulatory Authority.

Ongoing actions may include:

  • Monitoring and supporting children, families, employees, volunteers and students;
  • Evaluating emergency and critical event management plans.

Managing breaches of the Risk Management Strategy

Risk Management Plans for high risk activities and special events shall be monitored on a regular basis (annually or as required).

Information regarding Amberley OSHC’s risk management strategy shall be shared with all relevant stakeholders including employees and families on a regular basis.

Management shall have overriding responsibility for overseeing the implementation of the process and for ensuring that any breaches of Amberley OSHC strategy are immediately rectified.

Communication and support

Information shall be made accessible to families, volunteers and employees regarding Amberley OSHC policies and procedures in relevant handbooks as well as having access to a full copy of Amberley OSHC policies and procedures through borrowing from Amberley OSHC.

Information shall be dispersed to families, volunteers and employees through appropriate newsletters, flyers and other methods of communication.

Training materials and strategies shall be made available and accessible to help employees, volunteers and parents identify and manage risks of harm.

Reviewed 27 April 2015, Updated 12 May 2015, Updated 19 June 2017


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