Hi Julie,
no probs, happy to help if I can!
Have pasted some definitions of the different social work grades here. Am a little unsure myself of how it all works. My new job had been offered on class 2, year 1 due to my case management experience and also because I had managed a support service in my last post. A lot of jobs that are case management based tend to be class 2. I would see class 3 as management or senior positions.
13.2.2(a) Class I means and includes all qualified persons who are appointed to work under the direction and supervision of more experienced social workers.
13.2.2(b) Class II means and includes all qualified persons who are appointed to work as such, who are not working under direct supervision and who have some administrative responsibility, including:
Social worker in charge of an agency or department with a staff of up to three social workers or with a staff of social workers plus other employees totalling at least six in number; or
The only social worker employed; or
Social worker responsible to senior social worker for a major activity or group of activities within an agency or department; or
Social worker appointed as assistant to a social worker in Class II; or
Case work supervisor.
13.2.2(c) Class III means and includes all qualified persons who are appointed as such to positions including:
13.2.2(c)(i) Social worker in charge of an agency or department with a staff of more than three and up to seven social workers, or with a staff of more than three social workers plus other employees totalling at least thirteen in number; or
13.2.2(c)(ii) Senior social worker specifically appointed as follows:
in charge of a designated training unit for social work students; or
assistant to Class IV; or
13.2.2(c)(iii) Any social worker in any position which requires special skill and experience and where the responsibilities are mutually agreed by employer and employee to be equal to those of a social worker appointed under 13.2.2(c)(i) hereof.
13.2.2(d) Class IV means and includes all qualified persons appointed as such who have senior administrative responsibility, including:
13.2.2(d)(i) Social worker in charge of an agency or department with a staff of eight or more social workers, or with a staff of social workers plus other employees totalling at least fourteen in number; or
I don't see why your OH should go back to field work if he has had a lot of management experience. I would say he should be looking for jobs that match his experience, I would doubt it would be a problem.
The only issue I had raised at the 2 interviews I went to was that I would be starting again building professional networks, which of course can be tough, and lack of local knowledge or services, resources etc. This was discussed at length at the interviews. It ultimately didn't affect their decision, but I had to emphasise my ability to find these things out and had done some research before hand etc to discuss with them. The internet is a great resource, which I pointed out! One way around this of course would be to do some agency work, which I considered, as one way to get to know my way around. Spoke toa helpful agency in Melbourne.
Don't know if you have found it yet, but
Infoxchange Australia - Technology for Social Justice is a good site, especially for jobs.
Salary packaging schemes are a way of directing some of your income before it is taxed towards a specific item like childcare, rent, mortgage, loan etc. We put OH's onto a visa card which we can then spend anywhere we like. You can also put it towards household expenses etc and I think there is some allowance for a laptop, every time you speak to them they go on about laptops! Don't understand the finer points of it all, find tax far too complicated! but you are definately better off. I have been really fortunate as my post offers salary packaging even for part-time staff , where you still get the full allowance, so will actually pay very little tax. Can't help with the social clubs though!
Where are you thinking of heading?
Sarah
