Staff Portal - ALHCA

About Us - ALHCA

Australia’s Leading Home Care Agency (ALHCA) is owned and operated by a passionate Mother-Daughter team, Annie Sargood and Chris Sargood. They launched in 1999 – providing services Australia wide across metropolitan, rural and remote locations. The team specialises in the care and support of families, children, young people and parents who are approved for the In Home Care Program (Government subsidised Childcare in the family home).

IHC is a flexible form of early childhood education and care where an Educator provides care in the child’s home. It is restricted to families who can’t access other types of approved care. This could be due to:

• Families living in remote and rural areas
• Parents working non-standard or variable hours
• Families faced with challenging or complex needs, who are facing challenging situations

In Home Care Flow Chart

About Us - MLNA

“Melbourne’s Leading Nanny Agency” (MLNA) is owned and operated by a passionate Mother-Daughter team, Annie Sargood and Chris Sargood. Launched in 1999 as “Armadale Sitters” eventually becoming known as “Melbourne’s Leading Nanny Agency”, providing services Victoria wide. They unquestionably consider themselves to be the top Nanny Placement Agency in Melbourne, leading the way in customer service and the quality of care provided.

We specialise in placement solutions for Nannies, Babysitters, Mothercraft Nurses, Night Nannies, Cleaners, Housekeepers and After School Carers. Annie and Chris pride themselves in providing exemplary in home care, providing only carers that they would have care for their own families. They understand the pressures of balancing daily life and have chosen a fabulous team of equally passionate office staff to uphold their high standards.

The team pride themselves on being able to help support your family with:

• Nannies
• Nanny Share
• Live in or out Nannies
• Night Nannies
• After School Carers
• Before School Carers
• Babysitters
• Cleaners
• Housekeepers
• Mother craft Nurses
• House Minding
• Mothers Helpers

Road Map of Services Offered by MLNA

Our Promise

Safety is our number one priority, also holding advocacy, integrity, honesty and transparency as high values, while providing professional friendly service. Our passionate office team understand the fragility of creating a manageable family life balance and pride themselves in being the leaders in screening and matching Educators with families, to provide the highest possibility of having all of the family’s needs met.

In line with the Early Years Learning Framework and the Early Childhood Australia Code of Ethics, we support our Educators to provide care that engages all children in learning that promotes confident and creative individuals and successful lifelong learners, helping them to be active and informed members of their communities.

We are committed to building secure, respectful and reciprocal relationships and partnerships that respect diversity, equity, inclusion, reflection and collaboration to maintain the rights and dignity of children, families, colleagues and communities.

Who's Who - Meet the Team

Organisational Chart

PLEASE UPLOAD/COMPLETE AND SUBMIT ALL RELEVANT PAPERWORK BELOW

You will need to submit (if you have not already) all the following documents prior to your commencement:

• Resume
• Identification - Drivers License OR Passport
• Police Check - No more than 6 months old
• Working with Children's Check (WWCC) OR Blue Card (QLD only)
• First Aid Certificate
• CPR Certificate
• PRODA Number
• Mandatory Reporting Certificate - Child Safety Certificate (Relevant to the State/Territory you will be working in)
• Qualification

Please complete and submit the following forms (to access the forms, please use the password abcd7000):

How to apply for a Police Check

When onboarding with the agency, you need to hold a Police Check that is no more than 6 months old. Please note if you have lived or worked in another country in the past 12 months, you will need to apply for an International Police Check.

How to apply for a Working with Children's Check (WWCC) or Blue Card (QLD only)

You need to apply for an EMPLOYEE Working with Children Check/Blue Card and update your card to list Australia's Leading Home Care Agency as an employer - 23-32 George Street, Sandringham VIC 3191.

Where to book a First Aid or CPR Course

The CPR component (HLTAID009) needs to be updated every 12 months and First Aid (HLTAID011 or HLTAID012) needs to be updated every 3 years.

Where to apply for a PRODA Number

The Department of Education and Training require all In Home Care Educators to register for a PRODA account.

• View Instructions here
• You will need three identity documents to complete your registration
• After you have registered, please send through your 10 digit RA number (which will be emailed to you when you register)

EDUCATOR MANDATORY REPORTING CHILD SAFETY CERTIFICATE TO BE COMPLETED AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE

Child Safety is our Number One Priority

Teaching children simple strategies about keeping safe can help them build confidence, resilience and empower them to be safe in a variety of situations.

Really important Child Safety resources below:

• View Child Safe Organisations Website
• View National Principles for Child Safe Organisations
• View National Principles for Child Safe Organisations Poster
• View Kidsafe Library

Safe Sleeping

• View Red Nose Australia's Resource Library
• View What is a Safe Sleeping Environment?
• View Six Safe Sleeping Recommendations
• View Why should you sleep your baby on their back?
• View How to dress a baby for sleep?
• View Safe Sleep for IHC
• View Safe Sleep Monitoring Checklist
• View Safe Sleep Physical Check Template
• View Best Practice Sleep and Rest Audit Tool for Education and Care Settings

Transport and Traffic

• View Safely Transporting Kids
• View Safe Transport Took Kit
• View Road Safety
• View Car Safety
• View Safe Transport for IHC
• View Elmo Stays Safe - Story Book

Sun Smart, Burns and Scolds

• • View Be SunSmart Website
  • View Burns and Scolds First Aid
  • View Sun Smart Advice Early Childhood
  • View Babies and Outdoor Play
  • View Cancer Council Policy Guide
  • View Cancer Council Be Sun Smart, Play Sun Smart Resource Sheet
  • View Sun Damage and Young Children Fact Sheet

Water Safety

• View Safety Alert - Baby Bath Aids
• View Information on Preventing Drowning in the Bath (0-5 years old)
• View Safe Bath Temperature (0-5 years old)
• View Drowning Information Sheet
• View Pool Safety Barriers
• View Water Safety for Children (0-8 years old)

Cyber Safety

The National Principles for Child Safe Organisations recognise the importance of safe physical and online environments to promote the safety and wellbeing of all children. All IHC Educators have the responsibility to ensure children are protected of harm when and if they engage in digital technologies. Please view the below resources relating to online safety.

• View Online Safety Resource Library - eSafety
• View Internet Safety - Children 2-5 years
• View Internet Safety - Children 6-8 years
• View Sexting: early conversations with children 6-11 years
• View Pornography: talking with children 7-8 years
• View Grooming: recognising the signs

Remote and Rural Safety

• View Child Safety Information Sheet
• View Child Safety on Farms
• View a Practical Guide - vehicles, chemicals, animals, etc

Cultural Safety

• View Cultural Safety for Aboriginal Children
• View Safety of Children from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds

Child Protection and Mandatory Reporting - Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect

Click here for National Information on Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect.

Reporting WWCC concerns by State or Territory

A single screening unit has been set up in each state and territory to conduct working with children checks and issue the resulting cards, registrations or permits. The following state and territory screening units are the only organisations allowed, under legislation, to conduct working with children checks.

• View New South Wales
• View South Australia
• View Queensland
• View Queensland - Compliance and Enforcement
• View Western Australia
• View Victoria
• View Victoria - Legal Obligations
• View Northern Territory

COMPLETE YOUR MANDATORY REPORTING CHILD SAFETY CERTIFICATE HERE

You will be required to complete a Mandatory Reporting Certificate (relevant to the state or territory you are working in) prior to commencement. This will need to be renewed every 12 months.

*Please note, at this point in time, the QLD Government do not have a FREE child safety training course for QLD Educators to complete. At this stage, we are permitting all QLD Educators to complete the VIC version instead. We will be in contact with any updates as we receive them*

DOWNLOAD A FULL VERSION OF THE POLICY BOOKLET AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE

Online Forms and Updates (completed by the Educator)

Online Forms and Updates (completed by the Client)

Frameworks

CODE OF ETHICS (Early Childhood Australia)

• View the Early Childhood Australia Code of Ethics

National Quality Standards (NQS)

Quality Area 1 - Educational Program and Practice

Quality Area 1 allows you to reflect on your educational programs and practices; including the assessment and planning for each child's learning and development. Please click on the below PDF's for more information.

• Introduction
• What is Planning?
• Planning Cycle Infographic
• What is Critical Reflection?
• Supporting Agency - Involving Children in Decision-Making
• Information Sheet on Reconciliation

Quality Area 2 - Children's Health and Safety

Quality Area 2 recognises the importance of supporting children's wellbeing. It allows you to reflect and consider the practices and procedures in your service that support each child's healthy lifestyle, comfort, safety, protection, and wellbeing. Please click on the below PDF's for more information.

• Introduction
• Active Supervision: Ensuring Safety and Promoting Learning
• Information Sheet on Risk Assessment and Management

Quality Area 3 - Physical Environment

Quality Area 3 helps you look at how you use your physical environment, both indoors and outdoors, to create welcoming, inviting, inclusive, and safe spaces for children to feel comfortable and competent to explore, learn, create, and be. Please click on the below PDF's for more information.

• Introduction
• Information Sheet on Babies and Outdoor Play
• Information Sheet on the Environment as the 'Third Teacher'
• Information on Inclusive Environments

Quality Area 4 - Staffing Arrangements

Quality Area 4 assists in the consideration of staffing arrangements and the professionalism of the team in providing quality education and care, setting the benchmark of services providing 'qualified and experienced educators who develop warm, respectful relationships with children, create safe and predictable environments and encourage children's active engagement in the learning program'. (Please note: While this topic is not as relevant for In Home Care Educators, it still provides some useful information that shows the importance of connectedness, empowerment, resilience, and wellbeing). Please click on the below PDF's for more information.

• Introduction
• Information Sheet on Belonging, Being & Becoming for Educators

Quality Area 5 - Relationships with Children

Quality Area 5 focuses on the consideration of children's wellbeing, self-esteem, sense of security and belonging through the relationships you build and interactions you have with children. It also focuses on relationships between children and their peers and how you and your team can build children's capacity to form and maintain these relationships. Please click on the below PDF's for more information.

• Introduction
• Information Sheet on Relationships with Children
• Information Sheet on Supporting Children to Regulate their own Behaviour Information Sheet

Quality Area 6 - Collaborative Partnerships with Families and Communities

Quality Area 6 helps remind that meaningful, respectful, and supportive relationships with families contribute to quality outcomes for the children in your service. It also supports you to ensure the access and inclusion of all children and families in the community. Please click on the below PDF's for more information.

• Introduction 
• Information Sheet on Building Partnerships with Families

Quality Area 7 - Governance and Leadership

Quality Area 7 emphasises the importance of having effective leadership to operate efficiently and effectively. It also focuses on the importance of having a philosophy that guides all aspects of your service's operations. (Please note: While this topic is not as relevant for In Home Care Educators, it still provides some useful information on the importance of having a philosophy, along with ethical processes in place). Please click on the below PDF's for more information.

• Introduction

All the above information was taken from the 'Australian Children's Education & care Authority' website.
Please visit the website link for more information.

Mental Health and Trauma

Being mentally healthy during childhood means reaching developmental and emotional milestones and learning healthy social skills and how to cope when there are problems. Mentally healthy children have a positive quality of life and can function well at home, in school, and in their communities.

• View Child Trauma Tool Kit for Educators
• View Children's Response to Trauma
• View Mental Health and Wellbeing

Dealing with Emotions

• View a Workbook on Understanding how to Regulate Emotions
• View a Workbook on Understanding Anger
• View Mega Teens Emotional Workbook

Dietary Needs

• View 5 Food Tips for Healthy Kids
• View Food Allergy and Intolerance
• View Healthy Eating and Play for Toddlers (1-2 years)
• View Healthy Eating and Play for Kindergarten Children (3-5 years)
• View Healthy Eating Reward Chart
• View Nuts, Health and Kids
• View Get Up & Grow - Healthy Eating and Physical Activity for Early Childhood
• View Feed Australia
• View Nutrition Australia - Inspiring Healthy Eating
• View Healthy Eating Guide - Getting Started
• View Healthy Eating in the National Quality Standard - a guide for early childhood education and care services

Infectious Diseases and Illness

• View Exclusionary Illness List
• View Staying Healthy - Preventing Infectious Diseases

Big Kid Activities

Play gives children different sensory, physical and cognitive experiences. Experiences build connections in the brain, which helps children develop physically, cognitively, socially, and emotionally. It's important for children to have plenty of different types of play experience. We have put together a list of fun, easy, and challenging activities for kids of all ages to participate in. Why not send ALHCA photos of your creations? We can't wait to see what you get up to!

• How to Make a Grass Head
• How to Build a Bean Cubby
• How to Make a Bug Hotel
• Treasure Hunt Map
• Orienteering Obstacle Course
• Make a Human Sundial
• Printable Nighttime Sky Drawing

Educator Wellbeing Tools

Wellbeing encompasses the health of the whole person – physical, mental, social and emotional. As an Educator, it is important to be aware of your own needs and to seek additional support when you need it, to put you in a better position to support others who are in your care. There are a wide range of online resources that you can use to support your mental health and wellbeing, which offer guidance and practical strategies to support you through. Be You, by Beyond Blue, has a wide range of tools for you to utilise.

• Be You - Wellbeing Plan for Educators
  • This resource will help you consider strategies and resources you can use to promote and protect your wellbeing at and outside work, and address the unique challenges you may experience as an Educator.
• Be You - Planning for Wellbeing: mine, yours, ours
  • This resource will support Educators to reflect on their stressors, as well as provide information on how to engage in conversations with colleagues and support wellbeing in their learning community.
• Be You - Mental Health Continuum Guide
  • This resource can help in understanding the difference between mental health and mental health conditions. Mental health and mental health conditions are different and exist on a continuum.
• Be You - Wellbeing Check-in Poster
  • Use this list to check-in on your own mental health and wellbeing.

Infectious Diseases and Illness

• View Exclusionary Illness List
• View Staying Healthy - Preventing Infectious Diseases

How to Report Educator Injury in the Workplace

IHC E-Learning Series Information

All Educators can self-register to access the IHC E-Learning modules by clicking the below 'REGISTER' button. Once you have registered, you will receive a separate email from the learning management system (LMS) Learn Upon, to your nominated email address within a week, inviting you to register as a user in the learning portal.

Frameworks

CHECK THAT YOU HAVE COMPLETED THE BELOW, WATCHED THE VIDEO AND THEN COMPLETE THE EDUCATOR INDUCTION QUIZ AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE

• View Welcome Video from our Director Annie - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bwndk61B6_s
• View list of all Activation Requirements
• Completed the Home Safety Online Learning and the Home Safety Quiz
• Completed the Mandatory Reporting Child Safety Certificate
• Read and understood the Company Policies
• Familiarised myself with the Early Learning Framework and National Quality Standards
• Familiarised myself with the Child Health and Well Being resources
• Familiarised myself with the Educator Health and Well Being resources
• Familiarised myself with the Extra Training available
• Familiarised myself with the opportunity to complete the IHC E-Learning Modules specifically created by ACECQA for our unique sector
• View the Induction Video
• Complete the Induction Quiz
• Followed our Facebook Page
• Followed our Instagram Page
• Written a Google Review

INDUCTION VIDEO

CONGRATULATIONS, THANK YOU FOR WORKING SO HARD TO GET ALL THIS DONE.  WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT AND KNOW HOW MUCH EFFORT IT HAS TAKEN.  WE LOOK FORWARD TO A LONG REWARDING RELATIONSHIP.  OUR TEAM IS ONLY A PHONE CALL AWAY TO SUPPORT AND ASSIST YOU WITH ANYTHING THAT YOU NEED.  PLEASE COMPLETE THE INDUCTION QUIZ BELOW

INDUCTION QUIZ

In Home Care Support Agencies

• Culture Manual
• Bullying and Harrassment Policy
• Incident, Accident Information Policy
• Internet, Computer, Mobile Phone Policy
• Personal Leave Policy
• Privacy and Confidentiality Policy
• Policy Manual (FULL POLICY MANUALS)
• Team Office Cleaning Policy
• Work Health and Safety Policy
• Equal Opportunity Policy
• Casual Dress Policy