The lack of skills recognition for workers in the Family Day Care industry has been a major barrier. The cost and time of recruitment, retainment of staff and sustainability of the program are major issues. The question of ‘who’s looking after your children?’ is also a very real one for Australian families.
Swan TAFE and Family Day Care WA have formed a partnership to deliver a program designed to hit the heart of the problem. So successful, the program has been shortlisted in the prestigious NATIONAL ACCOLADES FOR EXCELLENCE – the awards program for the nationally focused Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council.
“Family Day Care care providers are people whose personal qualities reflect community diversity – of families, values and cultures. They use their own homes to offer a licensed childcare service for a small group of children,” explains Kerry Stampfer, Portfolio Manager- Access, Health and Children's Services, Swan TAFE.
“Swan TAFE is committed to working closely with industry organisations to ensure childcare professionals have access to the highest standards of training – so we established this relationship to fulfill this need,” she says.
Swan TAFE entered the awards in the Growing Partnerships – Community Services category. Key aspects of the project were:
• Swan TAFE working closely with four Family Day Care coordination units from Orelia, Cannington, Midvale and Gosnells to ensure training and skills recognition opportunities are available for all carers in their workplace, their home.
• Enabling these care providers to gain formal qualifications.
• Open career pathways for care providers and coordination unit staff to upgrade skills to a Diploma of Children’s Services and beyond that to Advanced Diploma of Children’s Services
The partnership between Swan TAFE and Family Day Care WA streamlined the skills recognition process which encouraged greater levels of participation.
“We continually look for new ways to innovate the way we engage with learners. To be shortlisted as a finalist means we are on the right track in developing new programs that cater to the learners’ needs,” enthused Kerry.
Trish Rear President of Family Day Care WA said “Coordination unit staff were committed to the process of recognising carers who already displayed a high level of skills. They worked with Swan TAFE to help provide third party evidence. We are very pleased to be able to work with such an innovative trainer.”
Industry Skills Council Research, Development and Policy Manager, Robin Flynn explained the need for such a prestigious awards program.
“With over a million people employed, the Community Services and Health Industries are one of the largest employer groups in the country, and underpin the national economy. In fact, when other industries are shrinking, these industries continue to grow and employ more and more Australians. Everyday.”
The Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council established the awards program to recognise excellence in the industries which support and care for our entire country.
The winner of the National Accolades for Excellence Awards will be announced at a Gala Dinner in Melbourne on October 21st.
To arrange an interview with any of the finalists or to speak with the Industry Skills Council about their awards program, contact Kate Engler 0412 526 851
