Hireup’s Support Worker Work Health & Safety Workgroup
Hireup is committed to ensuring the provision of safe workplaces and preventing injury and illness to Support Workers as far as reasonably practicable and with a strong commitment to continuous improvement. To help us achieve this aim, Hireup has organised for 11 active Support Workers from right across Australia, with a range of support work experiences to attend bi-monthly online meetings.
These meetings include communication and consultation with Hireup’s Support Office on matters such as policies, procedures, guidelines, WHS initiatives, identifying hazards & assessing risks, managing and resolving WHS complaints and concerns and WHS topics.
Please find the Support Worker Work Health & Safety workgroup meeting minutes below:
Hireup WHS Objective
Hireup is committed to the health and safety of all people in our community and ensures that everyone has a clear and consistent understanding of all their WHS obligations.
Purpose of the Support Worker Workgroup
The purpose of the Support Worker WHS Workgroup is to provide Hireup and its workers with opportunities for consultation and participation in decision making about work health and safety matters. This workgroup provides a forum where work health and safety matters can be raised and discussed freely and respectfully.
Support Worker WHS Workgroup Meeting Minutes
Meeting held: 14th November 2024 - online
Attendees: Laura, Matthew, Jodie, Deborah, Libbii, Chinyere, Lydia, Sonya, Matt, Maddy, Bella, Lydia
Support Workers: Laura, Matthew, Jodie, Deborah, Libbii, Chinyere
Hireup Management Representatives: Lydia (Trust & Safety Manager), Sonya (WHS Advisor)
Guests: Lydia (National Worker Compliance Lead), Matt (Learning & Development Manager), Maddy (Principal Designer-Community Experience), & Bella (Injury Management Consultant)
Apologies: Megan, Emily, Claudia, Thi Hong, Reece
Minutes:
Introductions:
- WHS Workgroup Support Worker members, Hireup Management Reps, & Hireup guests introduce themselves to the group
WHS Training:
- Discussion on 1 hour online WHS training for Workgroup members to be completed within a month
Transport Bookings on Hireup:
- Discussion on Transport Policy including how to access in Help Centre
- Discussion on requirements for Support Workers providing transport using their own vehicle including what insurance is required and what would happen if there is an incident/accident
Communication of safety information to Support Workers:
- Discussion around current channels for communicating health & safety information with the group confirming the monthly Support Worker Newsletter works well.
- The merits of other channels including pop-ups through the App were discussed.
Possible Work, Health & Safety / Employee Assistance Program trial discussed
- An app-based tool was considered favourable for workers in both metro & regional areas
- Group to trial app and provide feedback
Other Matters:
- General discussion around opportunities related to support plans and job ads
Next Meeting: February 13, 2025
Support Worker WHS Workgroup Meeting Minutes
Meeting held: 13th February 2024 - online
Attendees: Laura, Megan, Jodie, Deborah, Libbii, Chinyere, Lydia, Sonya, Jono, David, Celeste, Mark
Support Workers: Laura, Megan, Jodie, Deborah, Libbii, Chinyere
Hireup Management Representatives: Lydia (Trust & Safety Manager), Sonya (WHS Advisor)
Guests: David (Manager of Operational Risk and Resilience), Jono (Head of Enterprise Risk and Service Operations), Mark (National Lead - Behaviour Support) & Celeste (Head of Provider Operations)
Apologies: Matthew, Emily, Claudia, Thi Hong, Reece
Minutes:
Introductions:
- WHS Workgroup Support Worker members, Hireup Management Reps, & Hireup guests introduce themselves to the group.
Review of Actions - WHS Training:
- Discussion for Support Worker workgroup to complete WHS training by end of February 2025.
Risk Assessment:
- Presentation on managing risk at Hireup.
- Discussion on some of the common WHS risks that Support Workers may be exposed to during their work with Hireup.
- Discussion on Support Workers writing up a safety plan.
Policy Update - Statement ofSexual Activity:
- Presentation on the Statement on Sexual Activity Support including proposed change.
- Statement open for feedback.
Incident Reporting - Speak up Policy
- Overview of incident reporting & speak up policy including raising anonymous complaints/concerns.
Client Support Plans:
- Overview of Hireup’s behaviour support team including the role of Relationship Management,and engaging with practitioner/clinician around behaviour support plans.
- Discussion around the role of support worker training in plan by clinician and monitoring for safety and concerns raised by support workers
- Overview of Hireup Provider model and key roles within Support Office team including strategy to make it easier for Provider Clients to provide support plan information.
Other Matters:
- A demonstration with the support worker WHS workgroup members of the risk assessment.
Next Meeting: April 10, 2025