DECS Implementation Code of Conduct

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DECS Implementation
Presenters Adrian Nippress
__________________________________________________
____________________________
Ethical Standards and Merit Protection Unit,
August 2005
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The Code of Conduct
Principles Integrity the intent or meaning
behind your actions Respect - how you treat
others Accountability - fulfilling
responsibility to government, community DECS
Principles in Practice
Ethical Decision Making Model
As public sector employees we are required to act
(and are entitled to be treated by colleagues) in
line with the Code of Conduct
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Whole of Government Implementation

• Office of the Commissioner for Public Employment
• coordination across all government agencies.
• Chief Executives
• Distribution to individual employees
• Develop appropriate policies and training as
  required to give the Code effect in their agency
• Apply the Code in general management practice.

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CONTEXT The Legislative Framework
Parliament of Australia
Disabilities Discrimination Act 1992
Parliament of South Australia South Australian
Acts and Regulations
Honesty and Accountability Bill, amending PSM
Act 2004 Public Sector Management Act 1995 Equal
Opportunity Act,1984 Education Act 1992 Education
Regulations 1997 Freedom of Information Act
1991 Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Act
1986 Whistle Blowers Protection Act, 1993
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DECS CONTEXT
Organisational Values

• Cooperation
• Excellence
• Fairness
• Integrity
• Respect
• Responsibility - Accountability

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From DECS Strategic Directions
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DECS CONTEXT
Policy and Procedures

• Induction
• Performance Management
• Professional Standards for Teachers in South
  Australia
• Merit Selection
• Anti Racism Policy
• Sexual Harassment and Antiracism (Handbook)
• Managing Diversity
• Grievance Procedures

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DECS Implementation in three stages

• Initial Awareness Raising and Distribution
• (July to August 2005)
• Awareness Raising/Development
• (July 2005 to April 2006)
• Systemic Integration
• Work on this phase has begun and will be ongoing

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Systemic Integration On-going Compliance

• Areas of critical and immediate focus
• Recruitment
• Merit Selection
• Induction
• Performance Management
• Grievance Procedures
• Systemic training packages Merit Selection,
  PAC, Grievance Management, Anti-racism and Anti
  Sexual Harassment

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Extract from joint AEU / DECS Merit Selection
Training
Code of Conduct Integrity the intent or meaning
behind your actions Respect - how you treat
others Accountability - fulfilling
responsibility to government, community DECS
THE LEGISLATIVE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
As public sector employees we are required to act
(and entitled to be treated by colleagues) in
line with the Code of Conduct (Honesty and
Accountability Bill, amending PSM Act 2004)
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Extract from joint AEU / DECS Merit Selection
Training
Legislative and regulatory framework contd
Clarifications within the Code of Conduct
identify a number of principles particularly
relevant to merit selection
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Ethical Decision Making Model Pg 4

• Define the Problem
• Identify the underlying principles, legislation
  and policies
• Identify and consider the options
• Apply the Sunlight Test - Ask yourself

• What would your family or chief executive say if
  your actions were reported on the front page of a
  newspaper?
• How will the decision be viewed by future
  generations?
• Would you be happy if this action was performed
  on you?

• Choose your course of action

If you are unsure, seek advice before you act
you are responsible for your actions
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OPC Staff Meeting 26th October 2004
A conversation about
ETHICS
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Resources

• Ethics Resource Kit for the South Australian
  Public Sector, 2003
• Available for loan from ESMPU
• Copies to be provided to District Offices
• Guideline for the South Australian Public
  Service Ethical Conduct, 2001
• OPE website http//www.ocpe.sa.gov.au/ref_docs/et
  hical_conduct.pdf
• OPC Ethics Kit for managers
• from HR website www.decs.sa.gov.au/HR1/pages/def
  ault/conduct
• Leading and Building Culture A learning Journey
• Activity cards developed by SACLE, 2000

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ESMPU Training Package

• Designed to
• Provide a context
• links between the Code of Conduct and the DECS
  Statement of Directions
• Support leaders in
• applying the principles to their general
  management practice
• developing their own staff development programs
• establishing and maintaining ethical
  environments, ethical behaviours and ethical
  decision making processes in the work place
• Provide
• Tools and strategies for establishing and
  maintaining ethical environments, ethical
  behaviours and ethical decision making processes
  in the work place
• Resources

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Group Activity Determine Priorities for Action

• Objective Develop a culture that values staff
  wellbeing by
• Promoting best practice in OHSW practices in all
  sites
• Develop district and state-wide networks for
  collaborative development and sharing of best
  practice
• Implement Family Friendly workforce policies
• Implement Performance Management programs
• Identify and address key issues raised in
  Incident Reports ED155

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ESMPU Support

• Training Package
• Sessions for leaders / managers
• Collation of resources
• Consultancy Service
• Advice
• Policy Procedures
• Training Training Packages
• Recruitment - liaise re Code requirement
• Induction
• Grievance Management