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As an employer or contractor of speech pathology staff... what keeps you up at night?

WorkPlace PLUS employment contract services include reviewing contracts already in place or drawing up new terms of employment and position descriptions with reference to relevant awards and legislation. WPP can also offer practical HR support to your practice by developing and/or updating your HR policies and procedures. They also provide individual support to employers/employees dealing with human resource and workplace relations issues. Anna Pannuzzo can be contacted by phoning 0419 533 434 or emailing anna.pannuzzo@workplaceplus.com.au

Are you aT risk of: • being contacted by Fair Work Australia or the Ombudsman’s office? • incurring significant costs? • having underperforming or disgruntled staff? Have you been listening to the news lately? It seems that hardly a day goes by without another employer or organisation being exposed for not having all the necessary checks and balances in place for their staff. Keeping up with current legislation and meeting all of your legal requirements is challenging. This is the pointy end of running a business and it is something that the majority of speech pathologists have little training or experience in. That is why it is essential that you consult with professionals who have specific knowledge and skills in relation to employment law and human resources management. One option is to engage an employment lawyer to do the work for you. Most states and territories have a Law Institute that provides a directory of lawyers. Another option is to contact WorkPlace PLUS (WPP). Speech Pathology Australia has engaged WPP to provide employment, human resources and industrial relations information to SPA members. Initial phone contact is free of charge. Additional services will attract a fee and Anna Pannuzzo, Principal at WPP, will provide you with a quote for service prior to her or a team member commencing any work.

www.workplaceplus.com.au

nichola harris Practice and Clinical Support Advisor

Did you know? Government-funded small business advisory services operate in most states and territories. They can provide you with general advice and information, advise you of small business events being held in your area or online, and direct you to small business advisors. They may also be able to provide you with information about small business grants and government funded business support. Government also funds a national small business support line. Phone 13 28 46 (press 1 ).

spotlight on professional support

What are the benefits of participating in the Mentoring Program?

So far this year 56 mentoring partnerships have been established, with mentees from all states – as well as two from the Northern Territory – participating. I recently asked mentor Sue Fanello, from Bankstown Hospital, what she sees as the benefits of participating in the Mentoring Program, to which she responded: “There are benefits in keeping skills fresh but just as important is exposure to ideas that you may not otherwise have access to. It is always interesting discussing the variability in workplace operation and how we practice in different environments. One of the trickier aspects of mentoring generally is to sort out the division between

mentoring and supervision. Mentoring and supervision have much in common in that a more experienced clinician supports the growth and development of a less experienced clinician, and both provide an opportunity for reflective practice. Supervision however, unlike mentoring, is required to ensure clinical accountability and that staff have the clinical competencies required to perform the duties of their job. For more information about the differences between mentoring and supervision, see the Association’s position statement The role and value of professional support .

‘supervision’ and ‘mentoring’ because each partnership is different, it is certainly not one-size-fits-all (what is??). It is a good way of prompting you to reflect on your own practice, lessons learned in the past as well as those you are still learning. It often prompts looking up information that you have intended to access but … I would recommend mentoring as a good way to share experiences. I feel the time is well spent, and with clear negotiation from the outset, you can generally find ways to fit the short bursts of time into a busy work life.”

Sue raises the important point of the need to differentiate between

Meredith prain Professional Support Advisor

Speak Out October 2015

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www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au