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Staff PresentationMarch 2015

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• Organisation wide issues

• WH&S

• Update from our programs and teams

• Questions and feedback

This confidential and commercially sensitive information has been shared with you in the interests of open and transparent communication with staff. Please respect this intent.

Agenda

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Organisation wide

• Board Strategy Day held this month with Directors and the Executive team joining together to review the plan; acknowledge the work that has been achieved and agree 2015/16 priorities

• Board now using a ‘decision making/prioritisation’ tool to agree on the projects which will be our focus in the next 12 months. Update at the next monthly meeting

• Mt Pritchard site closure scheduled for end of June 2015; with ongoing plans to move and store furniture and equipment and relocate staff

• More detailed plans will be shared as appropriate

• First round of discussions with the successful tenderers of the ADHC funding held last week. Still sorting out the detail re timing, clients and possible staff alternatives regarding the transition plans with 8 organisations

• Staff will continue to be updated both in groups (email and f2f) and one to one once more finite information is available.

• Congratulations to Bijoy and Dana for the successful implementation of Office 365 as the first stage of our IT upgrade

• Significant work being undertaken to resolve our debtors reporting and ensure no further bad debt is incurred

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• We are streamlining our processes and communications around fee payments and debt collection. It is absolutely critical to collect payment up front to avoid lengthy and costly administration and unnecessary follow up /hassling of our clients. Staff in frontline positions should discuss with their manager if they are unsure of their responsibilities regarding fee collection. Materials to assist with difficult situations are being developed to support staff.

• The way we handle enquiries has been reviewed and we are developing solutions to our bottle neck issues. We will be consulting and seeking participation from staff in admin and client services in finalising and implementing the improvements.

• The new location signage is going up and we will take the opportunity to tidy up and beautify the reception areas and make small changes that will immediately improve the customer service to our clients.

Customer First Initiative

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• LL is committed to providing a safe work place for all its employees, contractors, students, trainees and volunteers and also for those who use our services and those visiting any of our premises and locations.

• LL shows this commitment by consulting with staff; having WHS as a standing agenda item at every meeting; enabling staff to raise concerns and be updated on work health and safety matters.

• Wherever practicable concerns or issues will be addressed at the monthly site meetings at which they are identified.  

• All WHS notifications, concerns or issues and actions taken to resolve them must be reported to the Helene to be logged on the WHS Register.

• Reporting is the responsibility of the manager/supervisor who raises/resolves the issue.

• Managers/supervisors will also actively involved in the risk management process. A risk assessment is undertaken annually and resources are allocated to address the priority WHS issues. An action plan will be developed and reported to the Board

WHS Compliance

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Mt Pritchard

• Staff & families locked outside in the play area. Door locked behind them and doors could not be unlocked from the outside. Strategies in place to reduce risk of reoccurrence; incl. unlocking Room 3 door before unlocking the external door

Peakhurst

• Boxes stored behind the compactus at Peakhurst. The weight of the boxes makes the compactus slam shut which is dangerous.

• Email sent to all Staff about an unknown adult male who approached parents at the cafe at 42 Pindari Rd in what was perceived to be a threatening manner.

• OT storeroom disorganised and over stock. More care is required when equipment is put away; and more storage may be needed.

Maroubra

• Fire Alarm activated but was not audible, issues with lifts and fire doors.

Oatley Cottage

• Oatley Cottage went into lock down due to an unrelated incident at the College.

Mc Callums Hill PS - OOSH

• Mc Callums Hill PS, OOSH - incident involving a parent

Issues

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• Identification and assessment of hazards and risks and deciding on actions

to eliminate or minimise these risks

• Proposed changes that may affect employees.

• Deciding about procedures relating to WHS

• New policy and procedure updates

Key discussion points :

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Work Health & SafetyEMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

• Learning Links has an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) available to all

staff, provided by Converge International.

• As an employee you are entitled to three (3) free counselling sessions at no

cost to you per annum. This service is also available for your immediate family

members. The professional counsellors provided by Converge International

are all fully qualified and both male and female counsellors are available.

Offices are available in your area.

• The counsellors provided are good listeners and provide unbiased strategies

and ideas to help you deal with your problems. Including: work related issues;

personal issues; stress, anxiety, depression, coping with change, job

performance; conflict with peers and relationship and family issues.

• Learning Links encourages you to access this free, confidential service. For

further information or for an appointment please contact Converge International

on Free call 1800 337 068 or access the website at

www.convergeinternational.com.au

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Human Resources

Group Wide Enterprise Agreement

• Notice of Representational Rights has been sent to all relevant employees

• Aim to commence bargaining meetings this week

• We will keep you up to date on the progress of these meetings

• Goal is to have a completed agreement by 30 April 2015

• Any questions please e-mail James Mould at NewEA@learninglinks.org.au

2015 Staff Survey Links2Success

• Survey opened on Friday 20 February and closes on 6 March 2015

• The survey is an online questionnaire and should take you no more than 20 minutes to complete.

• This is your opportunity to ‘have your say’, to share your thoughts and tell us how you think and feel about your Learning Links

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• At LL, the Forward Together Recognition Cards share your appreciation of a job well done

• These cards are ‘awarded’ by staff to anyone in the organisation who displays the behaviours that we value and are encouraging everyone to  show, namely:

1. Stepping Up’ and showing initiative

2. Supporting the ‘Forward Together’ Initiative and working across the organisation

3. Looking at the positive side and celebrating ‘the glass half full’

• If you would like to present a card to someone, sign your name on the card and let them know why you think they are appropriate recipients of the award.

• Send a note to marketing@learninglinks.org.au for inclusion in the newsletter

• Staff who receive a card should proudly display it somewhere your peers and management can see it!

• Cards are available from HR and Admin

Human Resources

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• In Ed Support the year has started well with 78% of clients returning to services in 2015. An 8% increase since 2014.

• Bossley Park public school are going to use the funding we received from Fairfield RSL Club for one day of OT each week doing the whole school therapy program.

• A series of Professional Development opportunities have been developed for professionals commencing in March 2015

• Commenced the process of selling both the Toy library van and the 14 seater bus

• The new manager for Family Services, Alexis Kim, has commenced

• EOI will be sent to LL staff to register their interest in becoming a trainer/presenter of our Professional Development series

Client Services

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• The first phase of the distribution of Toy Library Resources across services has occurred. Phase 2 will involve the resources and equipment being made available to those agencies successful in the recently announced ADHC tender process

• Equipment and resources stored to date in Shop 4 at Mt Pritchard have been successfully moved to our premises following the hard work of a number of staff. This is the first stage in the major task of finalising service delivery at Mt Pritchard by June

• Collaboration and planning around the implementation of the pilot program in partnership with Ability Options continues to progress. This will see Learning Links deliver Early Intervention services to children in the Hunter region via Ability Options location in Charlestown and in local communities

Operations

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Corporate Services 

Finance – January 2015

• The overall revenue was $1,094.3K against forecast revenue of $1,071.0K and the net surplus was $53.5K compared to a forecast net deficit of ($21.8K). Client Services was $22.5K above forecast. Commercial Enterprises, comprising of Housie, EEC & OOSH was $21.7K ahead of forecast, as was Fundraising and Grants by $3.3K. Support Services cost was $27.8K below forecast.

Year to Date

• Revenue – Total revenue of $9.4 Million is $74K ahead of forecast and the YTD net surplus of $75.7K is $89.7K ahead of forecast.

• Net Surplus/(Deficit) – Compared to forecast: Client Services are +$33.1K, Commercial Enterprises +$22.0, Fundraising & Grants +$7.8K & Support Services +$26.8K.

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Corporate Services 

Information technology

• Office 365 has been implemented across the organisation

• Learning Links 2015-16 IT plan has been presented to the Board

• Alternative Software packages will be researched as part of this plan

• Peakhurst High bandwidth internet connection is in the final stage with our supplier.

7 months to January 2015 - Net Surplus/(Deficit) vs Budget

Variance$'000

Client Services 33.1Housie & Bingo 34.5EEC -12.5 Fundraising & Grants 7.8Support Services 26.8Total 89.7

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Marketing & Business Development

Marketing & Fundraising

• LL advertisements have been designed and are ready for March publications of Sydney's Child, St George Leader and Southern Courier. The message features a strong call to action to parents needing support for children.

• New LL signage and posters have been designed and will be on display shortly. These reflect new messages with a refreshed look and feel.

• LinksBuzz, the refreshed internal newsletter was launched this month and is aimed at sharing good news/ stories and key achievements from staff right throughout the organisation.

• The LL Corporate Scrabble Challenge is now confirmed for June 17th and will take place at the Museum of Contemporary Art with James Valentine as our MC.

• CruiseExpress are holding a fundraising auction as part of their “Bon Voyage Party for Rhapsody of the Seas” with proceeds going to Learning Links

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Marketing & Business Development

Partnerships & Events

• Scrabble Challenge proposals are going out now to prospective sponsors – please let Kate Whitney know if you can help with possible corporate contacts.

• We are initiating relationships with companies identified in our corporate strategy, including IKEA, Fujixerox, Harvey Norman, AMP, RaboDirect and Novartis.

• LL is hosting a Corporate Volunteer Day in April at our Peakhurst location for employees at McAfee Internet Security and Intel. Staff are invited to submit ideas in the coming weeks for any projects they would like assistance with.

• Conversations continue with GoodStart regarding delivery of services at their child care centres.

• Account management in support of our new Professional Development program continues with consistent demand for our programs from agencies, community service organisations and child care centres.

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Government Funding & Trusts and Foundations

• Applications have been sent to the following funding bodies:

• ANZ Staff Foundation

• Commonwealth Bank Staff Community Fund

• IOOF Foundation

• The Primary Club of Australia

• ClubGRANTS 2015 strategy outlining targets and products using learning sfrom our 2014 campaign is being developed with implementation starting in April. Staff are encouraged to see their manager with funding requirements that may be incorporated.

• Board members from the RaliFoundation are visiting LL Peakhurst on the 24th March. Our Board and CEO will be hosting an informal morning tea. The RaliFoundation is one of our major supporters in particular of Reading for Life program.

Marketing & Business Development

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Commercial Enterprises

Housie

• Continues to flourish with profit as at the end of January just under $300k up on the same period last year. To put it in perspective at the end of January (7 months) we have exceeded the profit achieved to June 2014 ((12 months) New sessions happened at Ingleburn, Penrith RSL and Helensburgh in January with new sessions likely at Panthers, Penrith RSL (another), 2 in St Mary’s, Steelers and Berkerley

Childcare with Clubs

• This project continues to gain speed as we are having serious discussions with a large club about providing Childcare and additional services to their community. More to come!

Oosh

• Our new Oosh at McCallums Hill continues to flourish with capacity reached at some sessions. Our Co-ordinator Hesina and her young team are providing a wonderful experience for the children. A common occurrence is seeing a child in tears because they don't want to go home.! We have 4 children with additional needs attending and a special thanks to the provisional psychs who have been helping out at the Oosh

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Welcome and Farewell

A warm welcome to:

• Kelly Lightfoot

• Alexis Kim

• Theodora Moskovakis

• Louise Green

• Rennea Soth

• Basak Erener

We are delighted to have you as part of the LL family

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We say goodbye and thank you to:

• Stephanie Ingram

• Val Hand

• Anita Samson

Thank you for your contribution to Learning Links.

We wish you all the best in your future endeavours.

Welcome and Farewell

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Questions and Feedback