ASSISTED TRAVEL SUPPORT OFFICER FACT SHEET #1 Assisted School Travel Program

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1 ASSISTED TRAVEL SUPPORT OFFICER FACT SHEET #1 Assisted School Travel Program Assisted Travel Support Officers provide a high level of supervision and support for students on transport. Assisted School Travel Program The Assisted School Travel Program (ASTP) supports eligible students with a disability who need transport assistance in order to attend school. Most students with a disability travel successfully on buses and in taxis without the need for an Assisted Travel Support Officer (ATSO). A few students with complex health and or behaviour needs require the services of an ATSO to ensure their safe travel to and from school. Schools in partnership with families assess a student s travel support needs and apply to ASTP for an ATSO when needed. About ATSOs ATSOs are employed through the Department of Education and Communities on a temporary basis during the school year. An ATSO will work with the school, parents, contractors and drivers to provide a high level of supervision for students when on transport. To help ATSOs in their role ASTP facilitates training in Child Protection, Code of Conduct, Anaphylaxis, e- Emergency care and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Schools also provide individual training and briefings on the specific travel support needs of students on transport. ATSOs are expected to participate in training in order to improve their skills. ATSOs must be 18 years of age, physically able, have good communication skills, be respectful and understanding of students with disability, and be able to work collaboratively with others. How to apply Prospective applicants must complete an Expression of Interest (EOI) package and return all the completed documentation to ASTP. The EOI package is available on the ASTP website at: programs/astp/index.php As part of the EOI process applicants will have to complete the Working with Children Check (WWCC). This is mandatory for anyone working with children. More information about the WWCC, including the application form, can be found on the Commission for Children and Young People s website: or phone: (02) Applications for a WWCC number cost $ Upon receipt of the WWCC number applicants will need to proceed with the free on-line anaphylaxis e-training provided by the Australian Society of Clinical Immunology Services (ASCIA). PUBLIC SCHOOLS NSW DOC13/

2 This on-line course is essential for all NSW Department of Education and Communities employees working with children. EOI applicants can complete the anaphylaxis e-training for schools and childcare workers via this website: -e-training-schools-and-childcare After completing the course the certificate can be printed and attached to the EOI application. Please note the certificate does not need to be signed by a supervisor. It is important to note that the EOI application process can take several weeks given the various checks that are undertaken. It is essential that all information is fully completed. ASTP will formally advise applicants if they have been successful and provide information on whether they will be on a relief list or commencing work on a transport run. Identification cards will also be issued. ATSO responsibilities Assisted Travel Support Officers provide a high level of supervision and support for students on transport. To do this ATSO are expeted to: abide by the department s child protection and code of conduct policies maintain a courteous and respectful relationship with students, drivers, parents and school staff ensure the safety of all students throughout the journey sit in close proximity as practical to the student/s being supported or follow the recommended seating plan ensure you have a copy of the student s travel support plan from the school and follow the strategies listed seek assistance from the school with support strategies inform the school and ASTP of any significant student behaviour, incidents or issues that occur whilst transporting students in your care. liaise with drivers and contractors about pick up times, locations and day to day transport operations including absentee notices. be punctual and reliable in ensuring students get to and from school. About Parents Parents meet the transport at pick up and drop off times and ensure their child is safely seated with seat belts fastened. They provide any equipment required for safe travel as specified in the student s travel plan. Parents are encouraged to communicate the specific needs of their child to appropriate travel staff and to notify the contractor if their child is not attending on a particular day. About schools Schools develop individual student travel support plans as required. They provide ongoing support for drivers and ASTOs regarding the specific needs of students. School ensure students are safely seated with seat belts fastened. They meet transport to provide a safe entry and exit for students. ATSOs should contact the school principal and ASTP with any concerns regarding students or school procedures. About drivers Drivers should ensure vehicles are roadworthy and clean. Drivers follow a run card and should carry driver identification at all times. All vehicles carry a yellow Emergency Action and Procedures card which drivers follow when necessary. Drivers and ATSOs need to work as a team in managing students on transport. About payments ATSOs are paid fortnightly. Completed forms can be scanned/ ed or posted. Claim forms require the signatures of school principals and contractors. Incomplete forms are returned to ATSOs for correction and may delay payment. Child Protection For child protection purposes if the nominated adult is not at home at the time of drop off, drivers will contact the parent, school and ASTP. In the event of a home alone drivers will return the student to school or dropped off at the nearest office of the Department of Family and Community Services or to the police. Things to remember ASTP s focus is on ensuring students are transported safely and comfortably. Therefore ATSOs are expected to: ensure students are not left alone or unsupervised in vehicles not have unnecessary physical contact with students refrain from giving students food or gifts not smoke around students or in vehicles or be affected by alcohol or drugs refrain from using a personal mobile phone whilst on duty. Where can ATSOs find information? Any questions or concerns relating to how to apply, pay claims, incidents on transport or any other issues related to travel please contact the school or ASTP for assistance Monday to Friday 8:00am 5:00pm on or ASTP at atso.astp@det.nsw.edu.au Further Information Assisted School Travel Program Locked Bag 7009 Wollongong East NSW 2520 generalenquiries.astp@det.nsw.edu.au ntsupport/programs/astp/ January 2014 NSW Department of Education and Communities PUBLIC SCHOOLS NSW

3 Expression of Interest: Expression of Interest Assisted Travel Support Officer Assisted School Travel Program Thank you for your interest in becoming an Assisted Travel Support Officer (ATSO). Please complete the following information so that we can place you on our list of available ATSOs. How to apply: PART 1 Step 1: Obtain a Working with Children Check (WWCC) number from Step 2: Complete the free Anaphylaxis e-training for schools and childcare workers via the following website: Print off the certificate when finished - you do not need a supervisor to sign the certificate for the purposes of this EOI. Attach a copy of the certificate with this application. Step 3: Complete all other required documentation Step 4: Send your Expression of Interest (EOI) documentation to Assisted School Travel Program *First Name: *Last Name: *Address: *Town/City: *DOB *Telephone: *Post Code: *Gender: Mobile: * Language(s) spoken at home: Please note: Basic English Communication Skills are a requirement of the ATSO Role *Working with Children Check (WWCC) clearance number: *Expiry Date of WWCC clearance number: *MANDATORY INFORMATION REQUIRED an EOI cannot be processed unless these fields are completed. If you are currently an employee of the Department of Education and Communities (DEC) please complete the following section: DEC Employee number: School: Provide supporting information about your experience of working with children with disability and list any relevant training eg first aid certification etc. NSW Department of Education & Communities Assisted School Travel Program Locked Bag 9, Wollongong East NSW 2520 T: E: atso.astp@det.nsw.edu.au W: Page 1 of 3

4 I am able to work on the following days. Please tick ( ) days and times. Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday AM: AM: AM: AM: AM: PM: PM: PM: PM: PM: PART 2 Please indicate your preference in at least one (1) section below: Section A: If you have a preference to work for a specific school(s) please provide the details below: School Address Section B: If you have a preference to work for a specific contractor(s) please provide the details below: Contractor Run Area Section C: Please indicate your preferred work areas by placing a tick ( ) against the transport areas listed below. GREATER SYDNEY METROPOLITAN AREA Bankstown Lake Macquarie Port Jackson (Inner West) Blacktown Liverpool Ryde Bondi Maitland Shellharbour Campbelltown Mount Druitt St George Central Coast/Gosford Newcastle Sutherland Fairfield Northern Beaches Windsor Granville Parramatta Wollongong Hornsby Penrith COUNTRY AREAS Albury Deniliquin Port Macquarie Armidale Dubbo Queanbeyan Batemans Bay Griffith Tamworth Bathurst Lismore Taree Bourke Moree Tweed Heads/Ballina Broken Hill Muswellbrook Wagga Wagga Clarence/Coffs Harbour Orange NSW Department of Education & Communities Assisted School Travel Program Locked Bag 9, Wollongong East NSW 2520 T: E: atso.astp@det.nsw.edu.au W: Page 2 of 3

5 PART 3 1. Please complete and provide all of the relevant documentation to confirm your EOI. Please ( ) the boxes when completed. Document Working With Children Check Confirmation Letter This WWCC Number can be obtained from the Commission for Children and Young People at for a fee of $80. This number must start with WWC & end with an E. ( ) Anaphylaxis e-training certificate The course is provided free by ASCIA at the following website: Two passport size photos (45mm x 35mm) 100 points of identification Proof of identity must accompany your EOI a minimum of 100 points is required. Please note: At least one copy of the identification supplied must include details of your current residential address and include your signature. All ID must be certified by a Justice of the Peace (JP) or legal practitioner with a current practicing certificate. Declaration for Child-Related Work National Criminal Records Check National Police Checking Service Application ATSO Bank Account Details Form Complete with your full name, BSB and account number details. Australian Taxation Office Tax File Number Declaration Form* Please provide the hard copy of this completed document to Assisted School Travel Program. Please note that we require both sides of this form, not just the front sheet. 8. A paper copy of the Tax File Number Declaration Form (NAT 3092) can be obtained by: the ATO s online ordering system phoning the ATO on going to an ATO shop front going to most newsagents. If applicable - Choosing a Super Fund Form - Standard Choice Form 9. Complete this form to indicate your preferred superannuation fund. A First State Super account will be opened automatically if there is no nomination for another fund manager. A copy of the Standard Choice Form (NAT 13080) can also be obtained from Please note: All documentation is required to be provided and complete for your EOI to be processed. Please return your EOI form and supporting documentation to: atso.astp@det.nsw.edu.au *Please note that if you are sending in via , a hard copy of your Tax File Declaration form must be mailed to the address below Mail: Assisted School Travel Program Locked Bag 9 WOLLONGONG EAST NSW 2520 NSW Department of Education & Communities Assisted School Travel Program Locked Bag 9, Wollongong East NSW 2520 T: E: atso.astp@det.nsw.edu.au W: Page 3 of 3

6 Appendix 7 Declaration for child-related work National Criminal Records Check This form must be completed by all persons applying for paid employment (child-related positions) with the NSW Department of Education and Communities ( the Department ) and contractors seeking engagement with the Department s Assisted School Travel Program. This process forms part of the Department s National Criminal Records Check requirement. Note: Applicants making this Declaration must also complete the National Police Checking Service Application/Consent Form (Appendix 8). Notwithstanding the completion of this Declaration, the Department may at its discretion conduct a National Criminal Records Check on applicants using their completed National Police Checking Service Application/Consent Form. Surname First Name WWCC Clearance Number Middle Name Date of Birth Female Male Previous Names/Aliases Telephone Address (Number, Street, Suburb/City) State Postcode You MUST complete (i.e. ) either sections A, B or C of this Declaration form as applicable. For the purpose of Section A and Section B below, teachers aide means and includes all positions that have an in-classroom support role in schools or TAFE (for example, School Learning Support Officers and Educational Paraprofessionals). SECTION A this section applies if you are seeking employment (i) as a teacher or (ii) as teachers aide, in schools and TAFE. I declare that: 1. I have no criminal convictions, including spent convictions, within the meaning of the Criminal Records Act 1991 and I am not subject to any unresolved charges relating to a criminal matter in Australia or overseas. 2. In making this declaration, I understand that conviction is defined in the Criminal Records Act 1991 and includes a conviction, whether summary or on indictment, for an offence, and includes a finding or order that an offence has been proved, or that a person is guilty of an offence, without proceeding to a conviction. SECTION B this section applies if you are seeking (i) employment in a child-related position other than as a teacher or teachers aide; or (ii) engagement as a contractor in the Assisted School Travel Program. I declare that: 1. I have no criminal convictions in the past ten years and am not subject to any pending court proceedings relating to a criminal matter in Australia or overseas. 2. I have no convictions that cannot become spent within the meaning of the Criminal Records Act 1991 including but not limited to: (i) convictions for which a prison sentence of more than six months has been imposed; and (ii) convictions for sexual offences. 3. In making this declaration, I understand that conviction is defined in the Criminal Records Act 1991 and includes a conviction, whether summary or on indictment, for an offence, and includes a finding or order that an offence has been proved, or that a person is guilty of an offence, without proceeding to a conviction. Appendix 7 15 June

7 SECTION C this section must be completed where you are unable to make the relevant declaration in section A or section B. I am unable to make the relevant declaration in section A or section B. I have completed the National Police Checking Service Application/Consent Form (Appendix 8) and understand that my employment or engagement will be subject to a National Criminal Records Check to determine my suitability for employment or engagement. I am aware that providing false or misleading information in either sections A, B or C in this document may lead to the following: the Department withdrawing any offer of employment or engagement that it has made to me; or the Department terminating my employment or engagement, or taking disciplinary action which may include my dismissal; and the Department considering any false or misleading information I provide, when considering any future applications by me for employment or engagement. Signature Date / / Appendix 7 15 June

8 DOC13/ ATSO Bank Account Details Form Personal Details Last Name: Employee Id: (If applicable) Given Names: Location: (If applicable) Bank Account Details This section is used to provide the account to which your net pay is deposited New details: Changed details : Name of bank/building society/credit union: Branch where account is held: Branch no. (BSB 6 digits): Account no. (limit 9 digits): Account Name (e.g. Mr. John Citizen): Declaration I authorise these details to take effect: Immediately or from a designated future date (please indicate date): / / Print name: Signed: Date: / / Assisted School Travel Program Office Use Only Processed by: Checked by: Date: / / Date: / / NSW Department of Education & Communities - Assisted School Travel Program Locked Bag 9, Wollongong East NSW 2520 T: E: atso.astp@det.nsw.edu.au W:

9 Proof of Identity NOTES: 1. All persons who are employed or engaged in child-related work are required to provide Proof of Identity that meets the 100-point check. This document sets out the documents that may be provided, including the value of each document. 2. Other than Special Category 4 provided below, the 100 points proof of identity documents must include ONE Category 1 document; or at least ONE Category 2 document containing a photograph. Collectively, these documents must, as a minimum, also provide evidence of the person s date of birth and signature. 3. If a name used in one document is different from that shown on the other documents provided, evidence of the name change is to be provided (for example, Marriage or Change of Name Certificate, or divorce papers issued by the Family Court). These documents DO NOT count towards the 100 points. 4. Certified copies must be provided, as certified by a Justice of the Peace or a legal practitioner with a current practising certificate. The suitable wording for certification of the copy would be: I certify this is a true and unaltered copy of the original. The certification statement is to be written on the copy and then signed by the officer. In addition, the person must print their name and position. Category 1 70 points (Only ONE form of identification accepted from this category.) Birth Certificate/Birth Extract Australian Passport (Current, or expired within the previous two years, but not cancelled) Australian Citizenship Certificate International Passport (Current, or expired within the previous two years, but not cancelled) Other document of identity having same characteristics as a passport e.g. diplomatic/refugee (Photo or Signature) Category 2 40 points (More than one of the following documents may be counted. The initial document will score 40 points, and any additional documents will be awarded 25 points each.) Current Licence or Permit (Government Issued) Working With Children/Teachers Registration Card ASIC/MSIC Card Public Employee Photo ID Card (Government Issued) Department of Veterans' Affairs Card Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card or Health Care Card Current Tertiary Education Institution Photo ID Reference from a Doctor (must have known the applicant for a period of at least 12 months) 1

10 Proof of Identity Category 3 25 points (More than one of the following documents may be counted; each will score 25 points.) Foreign/International Driver s Licence Proof of Age Card (Government Issued) Medicare Card/Private Health Care Card Council Rates Notice Property Lease/Rental Agreement Property Insurance Papers Tax Declaration Superannuation Statement Seniors Card Electoral Roll Registration Motor Vehicle Registration or Insurance Documents Professional or Trade Association Card To use more than one of the following documents, they must be from different organisations: Utility Bills (e.g. Telephone, Gas, Electricity, Water) Credit/Debit Card Bank Statement/Passbook Special Category 4 Aboriginal person or Torres Strait Islander resident in a remote area/community The applicant will meet the 100-point requirement if the applicant is an Aboriginal person or Torres Strait Islander resident in a remote area/community, and the identity of the applicant is verified by two persons recognised as Community Leaders of the community to which the applicant belongs. DOC13/ Adapted from DEC WWCC Procedures 15 June 2013