HOSES workload reduction update
Queensland Teachers' Journal, Vol 125 No 8, 6 November 2020, page no. 15
In Term 3, the QTU's HOSES Workload Campaign Group sent a questionnaire to all HOSES members seeking feedback about their workload and the possibility of ceasing certain duties that are not consistent with the HOSES role description.
The questionnaire feedback confirmed that many HOSES were undertaking such duties and responsibilities, including:
- responsibility for students who do not have a disability, e.g. English as an additional language or dialect (EAD/L)
- involvement in behaviour plans and school disciplinary absence (SDA) processes for students who do not have a disability
- Coordination of teacher duty rosters and teacher-aide timetables
- management of staff not connected to the special education program (SEP).
HOSES were asked if they would be prepared to stop the following duties that are inconsistent with their role statement, as part of a work-to-rule campaign.
- Responsibility for annual performance reviews and exit summary and observation reports (ESORs) for teachers who the HOSES do not line manage or who are not attached to the SEP.
- Coordination of medication for students other than students with a disability.
- Development of and responsibility for medical documents uploaded for students who are not students with a disability.
- Development of behaviour plans for students who are not students with a disability.
- Providing and coordinating behaviour support for students who do not have a disability
- Responsibility for Education Support Funding Program (ESFP) applications for students who are not students with a disability.
- Responsibility for students with low achievement who are not students with a disability.
- Responsibility for part-time enrolment processes for students who do not have a disability.
Responsibility for alternative education program documents for students who do not have a disability.
The vast majority of respondents replied that they would be prepared to stop these duties, and an online ballot of HOSES members will be held during Term 4 to see if members are in favour of participating in a work-to rule (work to the role description) campaign by not undertaking the above duties from the beginning of the 2021 school year.