In response to a substantial number of requests, PSCQ has developed the In Service Contribution Program to reflect the diverse needs of children's services across the state. The program objective is to support children's services' ability to hold customised professional development ('in house').
Round Six applications open 18 November - download the application form
Completed sixth round applications must be with PSCQ for consideration no later than 5pm on the closing date Monday 30 January 2012. Applicants will be informed if their application is successful or unsuccessful no later than 14 days after the closing date.
In service for Round Six must be completed by 1 June 2012.
Participant Stories
The feedback from the services successful in accessing this contribution has been inspiring, with services choosing to hold their in service professional development on an extensive range of topics.
"Since the in service, our care providers are embracing their roles more energetically, having fun while meeting all the necessary policies and procedures ... The spin-off effect that I hope to achieve for our scheme is that care providers will take the opportunity to attend a variety of activities offered by the PSCQ in our region. They really do refresh and add new ideas to our care environments!"
(Boonah Family Day Care)
"We have had great feedback from carers in how they have put into practice the ideas that were given on the night. The coordinators have seen an improvement in the carers' enthusiasm for activities for this age group. It has helped to inspire and stimulate some creative thinking."
(Bundaberg Baptist Family Day Care Scheme)
"We had training last night on Early Years Learning Framework and Emergent Curriculum with Heather Barnes. Those who attended learned a lot and it was very interesting and informative. I must admit I found the EYLF document hard to read and wasn't sure where it was actually going to fit in, but after our training I understand it a lot better and am enthusiastic about its implementation."
(Weipa Family Day Care)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who makes all the arrangements?
Will the contribution cover the full cost of the presenter?
Can we charge other people to come?
Who can come to our in service professional development?
What can my service's contribution be used to pay for?
What topics can I choose from?
I was not accepted in the first round; can I apply again?
I am a family day care provider; can I apply?
To be eligible to apply for the In Service Contribution your service must;
For the purpose of this program we will be referring to all 'Target services' as children's services. (This will include all target service types as well as those who may identify as an organisation, scheme etc.)
Children's services with a current financial membership will be emailed the application form.
Application forms must be fully and accurately completed and returned to PSCQ no later than the close date indicated for the funding round.
Applications received after the closing date will not be considered in that funding round.
Who makes all the arrangements?
Once an application has been approved your service will be issued with information on your maximum allocated contribution.
All arrangements for the in service professional development are the responsibility of the children's service.
Successful applicants will be notified by email no later than 10 days after the closing date for applications. ALL applications are considered pending until they have been formally approved in writing.
Presenters may be local, or as this is a contribution you may like to put the contribution towards someone from further afield.
PSCQ may be able to supply your service with relevant details of presenters who have expertise in your chosen topic. If your chosen presenter is not known to PSCQ you may be asked to supply further information on them including an overview of their area of expertise, a current bio and details of insurance.
Children's services cannot access a contribution towards a presentation by someone from within their own organisation, scheme or service.
PSCQ's approved list of Professional Support Service Providers (PSSPs)
Will the contribution cover the full cost of the presenter?
Depending on the cost of your chosen presenter the contribution may cover the total fee for service, however in some cases the service will also need to contribute.
The contribution amount will vary for each service based on a range of criteria set by PSCQ. Criteria may include factors such as the region or physical location of the service, the accessibility of local presenters and service's willingness and ability to combine with other services within the region.
PSCQ will prioritise to ensure a fair and equitable distribution of funds across the regions, service types and organisations.
Can we charge other people to come?
To optimise networking and learning opportunities, PSCQ would like to encourage children's services to group together, where feasible, to offer in service professional development. This will offer an opportunity for services to work together and to share the extra costs equally between all those that are attending.
The intention of this funding is to offer customised in service support, not to hold an 'event' whereby a profit will be made. We encourage services that are needing to meet the potential extra costs of a presenter to work with other services in the region to equitably share the costs of holding the in service.
If a service charges an individual fee to participants we ask that they use a fee structure not exceeding that used by PSCQ for target service. See www.pscq.org.au for the current fee structure.
Who can come to our in service professional development?
This contribution can only be used for in service professional development for children's services professionals from your own service or from another children's service you are working with to arrange the in service.
The funding cannot be utilised to offer 'workshops' or information to parents with children attending the service.
What can my service's contribution be used to pay for?
The In Service Contribution is paid as a reimbursement and will be paid against the cost of presenter fees ONLY. Payment will be based on actual amounts paid, as verified by receipts, and will not exceed the maximum amount of support available to your service. The contribution cannot be used to reimburse the GST component of the presenter's fees.
Selected regions may also be able to access a contribution towards associated travel costs for presenters where required.
All other costs will be at the expense of the service applying.
What topics can I choose from?
The choice of topic is all yours. However, all applications must clearly indicate the area of need that the professional development will cover from the list of topics provided on the application form. This list indicates PSCQ key performance indicators determined by the by the Commonwealth through the Inclusion & Professional Support Program (IPSP).
Contributions will not be made towards first aid training and qualifications.
Priority will be given to services exploring a "sense of belonging" particularly in relation to the inclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, families and educators into their service. Second priority will be given to services exploring the implementation of either the Early Years Learning Framework or My Time, Our Place Framework for School Age Care, or any party of the new Natonal Quality Standard.
I was not accepted in the first round, can I apply again?
If you are unsuccessful in a funding round you are welcome to apply again in another round.
Only one application will be approved per service per financial year.
I am a family day care provider, can I apply?
Family day care can only apply under the banner of the coordination unit or scheme. Individual carers cannot apply for this funding.
I am part of a large organisation which has a number of children's services across the state/region - can they all apply?
Yes, all children's services can apply. However, the number of successful applications from one organisation may be limited to ensure a fair and equitable spread of funding.
The total contribution may also be affected if a large number of services from one organisation choose to apply.
My children's service was successful and we have completed our in service professional development - what now?
When services are approved they will be supplied with a claim form that must be completed and attached along with all relevant receipts and copy of a tax invoice and sent to PSCQ.
Claims must be made available to PSCQ no later than Friday 17th June 2011. Claims submitted after this date will not be accepted for reimbursement.
The In Service Contribution is paid as a reimbursement and will be paid against the cost of presenter fees ONLY. Payment will be based on actual amounts paid, as verified by receipts, and will not exceed the maximum amount of support available to your service. The contribution cannot be used to reimburse the GST component of the presenter's fees.
Payment can only be made directly to an organisation/service/scheme - not an individual.
Successful applicants will also be asked to complete an evaluation of the in service professional development to be submitted to PSCQ along with claim forms. Payments will not be made to a service until this evaluation is received.
