Aged care providers are being encouraged to participate in two national surveys that aim to provide government with the latest information on the sector’s workforce challenges.
The newly created body with remit of aged care qualifications, SkillsIQ has launched a new survey to “capture industry intelligence” into workforce challenges and trends.
SkillsIQ is the skills service organisation that took over from the former Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council.
Information gathered from the survey would be provided to the industry reference committees to help inform the development of the four-year work plans and the future directions of qualifications and training packages, a SkillsIQ spokesperson said.
The survey, which would take 10 minutes to complete, was open to all stakeholders including employers, employees, associations and peak bodies and training providers, he said.
Access the SkillsIQ survey here
Meantime the Department of Health has confirmed that the fourth National Aged Care Workforce Census and Survey was open and providers were reminded of their obligations to participate.
The National Institute of Labour Studies at Flinders University was commissioned to conduct the survey and was working with social research company Ipsos to administer the questionnaires, the department said.
All approved aged care and CHSP providers were required to complete the survey.
A webinar explaining the survey was held on 30 June but a recording has been made available on the department’s website.
Access the census and survey here
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Instead of asking the service providers about their ‘workforce challenges’, why not ask the recipients about the challenges they face … Why is that childcare has mandatory minimum requirement for ’employability’ – but the minimum requirement in aged care seems to be a heart-beat and driver’s license? It’s a national disgrace that nobody seems willing to talk about.
I agree totally James! Let’s look for empathetic workers who can work with disabilities within the aging system.
Continuity of same workers who are skilled and talented is what we need, people with foresight to use their initiative and not be fearful of getting in trouble for using it.
…these staff need to be, the majority, trained well, be able to listen, comprehend and do what needs to be done. My dear mother has different person each fortnight, normally not an Australian, often male, she can’t understand them, nor they her. Is this a good service? NO!
If we had the same staff assisting us, staff we were matched with and felt comfortable with, the outcome would be better all round. I know some people “use” the system and understand OH&S having worked in aged care, but really, some common sense needs to prevail.
Let case managers case manage – they are not bookkeepers. Our statements are always wrong, very wrong, extremely so. The system needs to be looked at before taking next step. Baby steps I say.