Recommendation 3 As part of overhaul of Part 2.6 of the Act: The VIT Council, or an appropriate committee of the Council (currently the Professional Conduct Committee), determines following a VIT investigation, whether a particular matter is referred to VCAT. The VIT to retain current decision-making powers on initial and other registration issues – at a Council or committee level – with existing review of those decisions in VCAT maintained. A simple, clear definitional threshold for teacher misconduct warranting referral to VCAT is determined so that only minor matters (for example, swearing in front of a student or registration fees not paid) are reserved for disciplinary decision by the Council or relevant committee of the Council under delegation from the Council. This definitional threshold should be determined by reference to current, best practice professional regulation legislation, such as the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law and legal profession schemes. With appropriate modification, the actual definitions from either of those schemes could be mirrored in the teacher misconduct scheme. Government to consider recommended legislative change In considering reforms to the VIT’s disciplinary procedures as part of the proposed policy review and amendment of Part 2.6 of ETRA (see recommendations 1 and 2), the Department, in collaboration with the VIT, will take into account: the appropriate threshold for referral of disciplinary matters to an independent body (after consideration of the appropriate review body for various decisions relating to regulation of teachers (see recommendation 2)); the roles of the Council of the VIT and the VIT Professional Conduct Committee in determining which matters should be referred to an independent body for decision. It is expected that changes to the disciplinary system will be implemented as part of the proposed policy review and amendment of Part 2.6 in 2019–20.
Recommendation 10 Immediately refresh the VIT Council’s Charter to align with contemporary governance practices, including regular Council performance reviews and periodic independent performance reviews of Council. Council should also establish a Council Code of Conduct based on the VPSC guidance, but tailored to the VIT, at the same time the new Charter is adopted. Accept in principle The Government expects the VIT to: refresh the Council’s Charter by the end of 2018 including by providing that independent Council performance reviews are conducted regularly; establish a Council Code of Conduct, based on VPSC guidance and tailored to the VIT, to be adopted by no later than January 2019. Recommendation 11 Immediately establish a delegations framework and review of all delegations made by the Council with a view to reserving important matters for Council decision, rather than for decision by the VIT executive. Accept in principle The Government expects the VIT, by the end 2018, to: establish a robust delegations framework consistent with best practice; review all delegations made by Council with a view to reserving important matters for Council decision.
Recommendation 20 Embed a more clearly defined outcomes-based approach to corporate planning and performance measurement that aligns with that of standard Victorian public sector practice. Accept in principle The Government expects the VIT to review and amend its Strategic and Business Plans to ensure they contain an appropriate approach to corporate planning and performance measurement by the beginning of 2019. Recommendation 21 Ensure reforms to registration processes and including migration to online registration and renewal processes across all registration processes are completed by the end of 2018. Accept in principle The Government understands that the VIT is currently undertaking the Teacher Electronic Records Information (TERI) Project to introduce cloud-based technologies that will encompass all registration, renewal and audit procedures and activities. The VIT has advised that the timeline for completion of the TERI Project is the end of 2018. Recommendation 22 Expand future-focused research activity, including through facilitating and fostering stronger feedback loops between ITE providers and employers. Accept in principle Recommendations 19 and 22 are related and can be implemented concurrently. The Government supports the VIT developing closer partnerships with higher education institutions in order to leverage opportunities to improve teacher quality and manage regulatory risk. This work is expected to be progressively undertaken in 2018 and 2019. Recommendation 23 Undertake a significant shift toward more risk-based, intelligence-led and outcomes-focused regulation in the immediate term to assist in best targeting resources. This should include utilising the full suite of compliance activities and significantly increasing assistance given to teachers to comply with the standards and prevent misconduct. Accept in principle Recommendations 23, 24 and 25 are related and are expected to be implemented concurrently. The Government expects the VIT to recalibrate its regulatory monitoring and compliance activities to a more risk-based, intelligence-led and outcomes focused approach, including through educating and assisting teachers to comply with standards as a means of preventing misconduct. This work is expected to be progressively completed by the end of June 2019.
Recommendation 27 Strengthen the executive leadership of the organisation, including through: Developing a vision for the organisation reflective of the new objects, complimented by a strong outcomes-focused strategy Ensuring alignment with GSERP and VPSC executive performance management guidance. Accept in principle The Government expects the VIT to have undertaken work to strengthen the executive leadership in the organisation, including through: the development of a vision for the organisation that reflects the new objects or functions of the Council; the development of a strong outcomes-focused strategy; and aligning performance practices with GSERP and VPSC executive performance management guidance. The VPSC is currently undertaking a TAFE and other Education Industry Sector Review. The Final Report (due in May 2018) is expected to inform and guide the implementation of this recommendation. The vision and strategy is to be reviewed and updated by the end of 2018 (and on an ongoing basis). Recommendation 28 Strengthen staff engagement, decision-making transparency and communication to improve staff morale and associated performance of the VIT. Accept in principle The Government expects the VIT, through the leadership of the new CEO and the VIT’s senior management team, to implement a more transparent and open decision-making model and to improve communication with staff. This should be included in the Action Plan for organisational change (see recommendation 31). It is expected that this will be completed by the end of 2018. Recommendation 29 Establish an executive-level Principal Practitioner position as a direct report to the CEO. This position should support the building of public trust and confidence in the VIT’s teaching expertise. Accept in principle The Government expects the VIT to immediately establish and recruit to fill the position of a Principal Practitioner (or equivalent) in its leadership structure as part of its organisational structure reforms (see recommendation 26) by the end of June 2018.