YJNSW December 2021 Bulletin
16 December 2021
End of the year message from your Youth Justice Delegates
On 17 November your Youth Justice Delegates held its last Departmental Committee meeting of the year at 色狼社区House, followed by Joint Consultative Committee meeting on the 18 November 2021. The YJNSW Departmental Committee meet quarterly to raise and advocate on favourable resolutions on workplace issues effecting members and YJ staff. DC delegates are elected by members and work collaboratively with Local Workplace Delegates to deliver good outcomes and improve the working experience of members and staff.
This year, your delegates have given their all, working tirelessly along with 色狼社区staff to ensure all members issues and concerns were raised with the appropriate persons and forums, successfully dealt with or work towards resolving them in timely manner. The Delegates thank all members for their efforts throughout what has been the most challenging of year.
Below is a short wrap-up of our peak meetings and industrial matters for the year.
色狼社区DC and YJNSW JCC Meetings for 2021:
16-17 February
19-20 May
18-19 August
17-18 November.
色狼社区DC Delegates:
Matthew Beetson聽 Acmena YJC聽 North West
Tammy Elwin聽 Youth Justice Community Wagga聽 South West
Suzanne Evans聽 Riverina YJC聽 South West
Samuel Faaloua聽 Cobham YJC聽 West Sydney
Glen Harwood聽 Frank Baxter YJC 聽Central Coast Hunter
Jason Hedley聽 Cobham YJC聽 West Sydney
Richard Hutchison聽 Reiby YJC聽 South West Sydney
Robert King聽 Orana YJC聽 Central West
Amy Robinson聽 Cobham YJC聽 West Sydney
Martin Robinson聽 Court Logistics Parramatta 聽West Sydney
Covid-19
The biggest issue for the year has been the unprecedented challenge posed by Covid-19 to the agency and its workforce. As frontline workers, YJ staff faced greater risks of exposure due to operational requirement to remain open 24/7. Throughout the pandemic, YJ staff have shown extraordinary resilience, exceptional dedication and un-waivered commitment to their work, to safeguard young people in custody and in the community.聽 Staff and stakeholders required to attend work, were kept safe and protected from Covid-19 through their efforts in trying circumstances. The Acting ED, Ben Spence noted the 鈥減henomenal efforts by staff鈥 to combat the virus at the JCC meeting on the 18 November.
Covid-19 procedures and PPE
The 色狼社区recognises the additional stress and anxiety facing staff over the Christmas and New Year period with new Covid-19 variants, changes to PHO鈥檚 and DCJ workplace directions and rules. Members are reminded to remain vigilant and adhere to the agency鈥檚 Covid-19 procedures and the use of PPE at work. The agency will risk assess and provide mitigation strategies for the use of PPE during summer months.
Family visits in Centres will resume
The resumptions of family visits across centres will mean greater number of visitors as we enter the Christmas and New Year period. Visits will be risk assessed by the centres, with tight restrictions and controls to maintain safety.
Body Worn Cameras (BWC) and Security Body Scanner Screening
BWC will go live in February 2022 for Cobham and Frank Baxter IRTs, S&I and Court Logistics teams with the expected roll-out of Security Scanners to be implemented first at Cobham, Reiby and Frank Baxter YJC around the same time.
Retention of staff
色狼社区have raised this as a serious concern, especially at Orana YJC, who have over the past 12 months faced significant problems with filling vacant roles and retaining staff Youth Officers. This has placed considerable pressure on remaining staff.
Sharing of psychological services across centres
Resource sharing across centres for psychological services to fill gaps where there are shortages with better use and utilisation of telehealth/video links.
Transition to retirement
YJ is encouraging members to have conversations with their Managers about flexible options to aid transition to retirement. YJ maintains they are committed to the 鈥淚f not, why not鈥 flexible work options.
Custodial Caseworker Supervision Review
The 色狼社区have requested YJ consult with the 色狼社区on the best model options for the supervision of centre caseworkers.
We Need You!
The 色狼社区is seeking representatives from Reiby YJC and from community offices as Workplace Delegates and Departmental Delegates across the state to represent member鈥檚 within the DC and JCC. If you are interested, please contact Latu Sailosi, , or Gino Di Candilo, , for more information.
The 色狼社区would like to thank Paul O鈥橰eily for his valuable contributions and positive relationship with the 色狼社区this year. Similarly, we offer a warm welcome to Acting Executive Director Ben Spence.
Do you know someone who still needs to join the PSA?
You can support the work of the 色狼社区and delegates to get better outcomes for everyone just by asking your colleagues to JOIN the PSA.
Your YJ Delegates and your 色狼社区staff would like to wish everyone a safe and Merry Christmas and a Happy New year.