📘 Relief Staff Policy (QA7) ( Video)

National Quality Standard (NQS) - Quality area 7: Governance & Leadership

Implementation

• Potential Relief staff will be required to attend an interview with management to ensure they are a fit and proper person. 
• Once the prospective staff applicant has been successful in the interview process, management will check their references and verify their working with children check. 
• Relief staff will be placed on the casual list and invited to the Service for an orientation prior to commencing any work.

Orientation 

Relief staff members are required to undergo a full induction and orientation into the Service to ensure they have a clear understanding of:

• The Service’s policies and procedures
• Sign in and out process 
• Required qualifications approved by ACECQA 
• Emergency evacuations 
• Service amenities 
• Children’s medical conditions 
• The Service’s program and routine
• Their roles and responsibilities 
• Supervision 
• Behaviour Guidance strategies 
• The Code of Conduct 

Relief Staff Induction pack 

Relief staff will be issued with an induction pack prior to commencing employment, which will contain:

• Staff handbook 
• Service philosophy 
• Job description 
• Employment contract 
• Staffing detail form 
• Code of Conduct 
• Code of Ethics
• Employee Information Form

Service Requirements 

Prior to relief staff commencing at the Service we must have the following information:

• Copy of qualifications, including CPR, First Aid, Asthma and Anaphylaxis 
• Banking details
• Signed employment contract and job description adhering to Service requirements 
• Tax File Declaration 
• Superannuation details 
• Emergency contact details 
• Medical conditions 
• Working with children check number 

Employment Commencement 

• It is a requirement that relief staff arrive 10 minutes prior to their shift to ensure they have adequate time to place their belongings in an allocated locker, read any staff communication, sign on and be up to date with important points that are relevant and necessary for the day. 
• Relief staff members are to rely on the direction of the Educational Leader / Room Leader
• Under the guidance of their Room Leader, relief staff members are to introduce themselves to families, explain their position within the Service, inform parents who they are replacing and how long they expect to be placed at the Service.
• All relief staff members are to accept and embrace the importance of confidentiality and that of the children within their care. They are to treat any information shared with them in the best interest of the child - professionally and sensitively.
• In conjunction with all permanent staff members, relief staff are requested to be mindful of the time and time taken for their breaks and return promptly to minimise any disruption to the set routine.
• It is advised that all staff members, whether relief or permanent, look after their health and keep their immunisations up to date.
• The Service will aim to maintain a register of relief staff members that are familiar to the Service, families, children, policies and program to ensure consistency for children, families and for the service.

Service Dress Code

Relief staff must ensure they maintain a professional image at all times. Staff are to be clean and tidy at all times with no offensive clothing worn. 

Pants/Shorts

• Tailored black pants are to be worn. 
• Track pants and jeans are unacceptable to wear at our Service. 
• Shorts and shirts may be worn at an acceptable length, which is considered to be two inches above the knee. Clothing shorter than this is not considered to be acceptable.   

Tops

• In maintaining the professional image of our Service, staff need to consider the suitability of tops when deciding what to wear. 
• A T-Shirt is required covering the shoulder. 
• Singlets, midriffs and strapless tops will not be accepted in the work environment. If it is deemed that a staff member’s top is too revealing, or inappropriate for wear around children and families they will be asked to return home to change. The staff member will not be paid for the time taken to remedy the clothing situation. 

Footwear 

• Kitchen staff must wear enclosed shoes at all times. 
• Enclosed shoes are preferred for other staff. 
• Thongs are not appropriate dress and are considered dangerous footwear in the workplace.   

Sun Safety 

• Consideration should be given to hats in summer for outdoors (as an example to children, and for your own protection).
• Staff will be required to wear a wide-brimmed hat (no caps).
• Staff will be provided with sunscreen for use.  
• Staff may wear sunglasses in the outdoor environment. 
• Enclosed shoes are to remain on at all times. 

Alcohol, Tobacco and other Drugs

• Staff members are not permitted to consume alcohol, tobacco or other drugs whilst on the premises of a children’s service. 
• Staff are not to offer, supply or obtain alcohol, tobacco or other drugs to any person at the child care service. 
• Staff who are intoxicated or under the influence of drugs are not to work during an episode of intoxication. 
• Any breach of these conditions will result in disciplinary action.  
• Staff who use the prescription medication are asked to discuss the possible side effects of these drugs with management to ensure that the staff member and children remain safe at all times.
• Relief Staff are not permitted to administer prescription medication to children unless approved by management.