Staff Professional Development Policy

Staff are defined as persons engaged in Office, workshop/project or program, Volunteer or Student placement work at Access Arts Inc.

Definition:

Access Arts Inc. defines Supervision as reflective communication sessions between a Staff member and the Employer.

Purpose:

To support and encourage the professional development of all Staff.

Policy:

• All Staff are to undergo a performance review at least every 12 months.
• All Staff must have a weekly supervision session with the Staff member they report to as well as regular informal supervision sessions as needed.
• The Employer must provide at least one day a month for the self-directed skills development activities of each Staff member. These activities must be approved by the Employer.
• All Staff are to undergo ongoing cultural awareness and disability awareness training, beginning at their induction and continuing throughout their employment at Access Arts.

Staff Professional Development Procedure 

1. Access Arts Staff Performance Reviews:
   • There are to be 2 people on the review panel (line manager + Executive Director).
   • The employee is given two weeks notice of the review date.
   • Prior to this date, the panel is to receive:
     • The duty statement of the employee.
     • Any other documentation that is relevant, including a completed Performance Plan template, located in the Staff folder of the Access Arts drive.
   • After the review the employer will give written conformation of any changes to the employee’s contract/role/position description.

Duty Statement:

The review panel will:

• Ask the employee to give feedback on what they have achieved in relation to their duty statement.
• Give feedback on the employee’s performance in relation to the duty statement.
• Determine whether there are any items that need to be adjusted on the employee’s duty statement, in collaboration with the employee.

Performance:

• Employee gives feedback on their performance.
• Panel gives feedback on employee performance.
• Any other comments from both parties.
• Both parties make recommendations (if any) on changes to the employee’s:
  • Duty Statement
  • Number of Hours
  • Salary level
  • Other proposed changes.
• In agreement with the employee, the review panel is then to set a suitable date for the next review (at least every 12 months).

1. Professional Development
   • Access Arts allocates one day a month for professional development for all Staff. Staff members are encouraged to inform the employer of any interest they may have in skills development activities.
   • All Staff must have a weekly supervision session with the Staff member they report to. Location and duration of these supervision sessions are to be discussed with the employer, in order to find a supervision method that best suits both parties.
   • Employee and Employer must be open to regular informal supervision sessions as needed (e.g. when travelling to and from a workshop, program or project)

Complies with Queensland Disability Service Standards: 10
Update Responsibility: Emma Bennison
Date of last update: 6/08/2007

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