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About Us
CHILD Australia is funded by the Commonwealth Government’s Inclusion and Professional Support Program (IPSP) to manage the Professional Support Coordinator programs in Western Australia and the Northern Territory. The IPSP supports the implementation of the National Quality Framework and National Early Years Workforce Strategy.
The Professional Support Coordinator programs provide professional development and support to early childhood professionals in Australian Government Approved Childcare Services (AGACCS) and aim to improve the quality of care provided in childcare settings.
PSCWA also coordinates ongoing professional development to support the professional learning of Inclusion Support Agencies (including Inclusion Support Facilitators) and the Indigenous Professional Support Unit.
CHILD Australia’s Professional Support Coordinator in Western Australia (PSCWA) respond to current and emerging professional development and support needs in the early childhood education and care sector.
The objectives of PSCWA are to provide professional development opportunities that are based on latest research evidence and best practice in order to:
- lead professional practice and drive quality improvement;
- support early childhood services implement the new Early Years Learning Framework;
- assist services and their staff attain or exceed quality standards set by the Federal Government’s National Quality Framework;
- prepare early childhood professionals for the increasing expectations that National Quality Framework accreditation brings;
- enhance and update early childhood professionals knowledge and skills in existing and new areas of practice;
- provide support pathways for new and existing early childhood professionals to attain accredited qualifications;
- promote networking and collaboration that supports reflection, the sharing of experience and the process of finding solutions to industry challenges; and
- provide professional development to support the inclusion of children from diverse backgrounds, including indigenous children, children with disabilities and children from CALD backgrounds.
In the areas of Professional Development, the training needs of early childhood education and care staff are identified annually through a state-wide training needs analysis, the results of which are used in developing a scheduled training program or “Calendar”. Courses are offered throughout the state, with costs subsidised by the PSC. Customised training is also available, the need for such support usually being identified as a result of contact made with the PSC or an Inclusion Support Facilitator. This form of training is tailored to a service’s specific needs, but can include other services if similar PD needs have been identified.
PSC WA works closely with other agencies and peak bodies to ensure an informed and collaborative approach to service delivery. This is particularly important in WA where many services operate in remote areas where access to support is limited. PSC WA is committed to flexibility and innovation in their responses to requests for support, a feature critical to providing effective services to remote areas. Our industry partners include:
- Childhood professionals in WA
- NGALA
- Various Peak Childcare Associations and Groups
- Early Childhood Australia (WA Branch)
- Indigenous Professional Support Unit
- Minister's Childcare Reference Group (CCRG)
- National Children's Services Forum (NCSF)
- National Investment For The Early Years (NIFTeY)
- WACOSS Policy Advisory Committee for Children
- Early Years regional working parties (in nominated WA Early Years sites)
- National Alliance of Disability Resource and Training Agencies (NADRATA)
- Princess Margaret Hospital for Children (PMH)
- Early Childhood Intervention Australia (WA) - WA Chapter
- Inclusion and Support Agencies (ISA)
- Indigenous Professional Support Unit
- State and Federal Government Departments
PSC WA also provide a website membership that includes access to a variety of procedural handbooks and “policies to go by”. These policies and handbooks assist early childhood education and care services meet regulatory requirements.
Website membership is included with Child Australia’s Resource Centre membership.
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Contact Us
5 Carson Road, MALAGA WA 6090
PO Box 2562, MALAGA WA 6944
Helpline: 1800 783 768
Facsimile: (08) 9249 4366
Email: pscwa@childaustralia.org.au
Need Help?
Contact the free PSCWA Helpline on 1800 783 768.
Need Training?
Download the PSCWA Professional Development Magazine or Wall Calendar today.
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