Single Staff Model Service Policy

1. Overview

1.1. Purpose
To keep children, team members and all people attending the site safe, this policy outlines Junior Adventures Group's (JAG's) preference for two staff to be in attendance at the Service at any one time. In some unique circumstances, it may be necessary to operate the Service under a single staff model (SSM). This policy outlines the parameters of operation where an SSM is in place.

1.2. Scope
All JAG People are required to comply with the provisions set out in this policy, their contract of employment and all other relevant policies, procedures and legislation.

1.3. Legislative Requirements
Under the Education and Care Services National Regulations, JAG is required to have policies and procedures in place to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of the children in care.

2. Policy Statement
Operating a Single Staff Model (SSM) will only be considered in limited and exceptional circumstances where it is necessary to meet the needs of children, families, schools and the community. All aspects of service delivery, including children's safety, wellbeing, supervision, educational outcomes and safeguarding requirements, will be considered before approving the operation of an SSM.

Child safety considerations underpin all decisions relating to the implementation and operation of a Single Staff Model. JAG is committed to maintaining child-safe environments and ensuring that any Single Staff Model service operates in a manner that is consistent with the Education and Care Services National Law, National Regulations, National Quality Standard, National Principles for Child Safe Organisations and JAG safeguarding requirements.

Decisions regarding the implementation and ongoing operation of an SSM will be made in consultation with the school community and reviewed regularly to ensure the arrangement remains appropriate and safe.

3. Principles

3.1. Risk Assessment
JAG recognises that, in limited and exceptional circumstances, a Single Staff Model (SSM) may be required to meet the needs of children, families, schools and communities.

The operation of a Single Staff Model (SSM) presents additional risks that require enhanced planning, supervision, governance and monitoring. A Single Staff Model will only operate where the Approved Provider is satisfied that children's safety, wellbeing, learning outcomes and supervision can be maintained at a level consistent with the Education and Care Services National Law, National Regulations, National Quality Standard and JAG safeguarding requirements.

Consistent with the paramountcy principle, the safety, wellbeing and best interests of children are the primary consideration in all decisions relating to the implementation, operation and review of a Single Staff Model. Where there is any conflict between the needs of the service, operational considerations, community expectations or the interests of adults, the safety, wellbeing and protection of children will take precedence.

Prior to approval of a Single Staff Model, a comprehensive service-specific risk assessment must be completed and approved by Senior Leadership. The assessment must identify hazards, assess risks and document controls to ensure children's health, safety, wellbeing and protection are not compromised.

The risk assessment must consider, at a minimum:

• Adequate supervision requirements for all children, including active supervision practices.

• Children's ages, developmental stages, additional needs, behaviours and vulnerabilities.

• Service attendance patterns and child-to-educator ratios.

• Visibility of children across all indoor and outdoor environments.

• Arrival, departure and transition arrangements.

• Toilet access, first aid requirements and medical management needs.

• Child protection and safeguarding risks.

• Management of visitors, contractors and unauthorised persons.

• Venue security and emergency access.

• Communication systems and access to emergency support.

• Proximity to emergency services and neighbouring JAG services.

• Availability of relief educators and escalation pathways.

• Incident, injury, trauma and illness response capability.

• Emergency evacuation and lockdown procedures.

• Lone worker safety considerations.

• School-specific environmental risks.

• Feedback from children, families and the school community.

The Approved Provider may suspend or cease a Single Staff Model arrangement at any time where risks cannot be adequately controlled or where children's safety, wellbeing or supervision may be compromised.

3.2. Review of the Model
Single Staff Model services will be subject to enhanced monitoring and review. In addition to routine operational oversight, the Service Leader and Regional Management will regularly review:

• Supervision practices.

• Child safety risks.

• Attendance patterns.

• Behaviour support requirements.

• Incident and near-miss data.

• Family and child feedback.

• Emergency preparedness.

• Compliance with policies, procedures and legislative obligations.

A formal review of each Single Staff Model service must occur at least once per term and whenever a significant incident, environmental change, identified risk or increase in enrolments occurs.

The continuation of a Single Staff Model arrangement is dependent upon demonstrated evidence that children's health, safety, wellbeing and educational outcomes continue to be protected.

3.3. Policies and Procedures
All JAG People will adhere to organisational policies and procedures relating to the provision of education and care of children at all times. Additional tailored information—including practices to ensure safety and a comprehensive induction—will be completed to support this model of education and care. These will complement company-wide policies and procedures.

It is the responsibility of team members to keep up to date with policy and practice changes and apply these in the planning and delivery of the education and care they provide.

The selection and onboarding of team members assigned to the SSM will take into consideration the requirements of the SSM.

3.4. Communication
Regular communication with families and the school is vital to ensure that this model works for everyone involved. This includes proactively seeking feedback from children, families and the school.

3.5. Supervision
Maintaining high-quality supervision is a critical requirement of any Single Staff Model service.

At all times, the Responsible Person must ensure children are adequately supervised in accordance with Section 165 of the Education and Care Services National Law and Regulation 101 of the Education and Care Services National Regulations.

Supervision practices must ensure that educators:

• Know the whereabouts of all children at all times.

• Maintain awareness of children's activities, interactions and behaviours.

• Anticipate and respond to emerging risks.

• Position themselves to effectively observe and respond to children.

• Support children's safety, wellbeing and engagement.

• Actively monitor all environments used by children.

• Implement safeguarding practices that minimise opportunities for harm.

Single Staff Model services must operate within clearly defined boundaries that enable continuous visibility and supervision of all children. In a Single Staff Model session, the Responsible Person must limit the program to areas where continuous visibility and active supervision of all children can be maintained.

The Responsible Person must not position themselves in a manner that compromises supervision of any child.

Where supervision cannot be maintained, the activity, environment or program must be modified immediately, or additional support obtained.

Enhanced supervision strategies must be implemented during:

• Arrivals and departures.

• Indoor-to-outdoor transitions.

• Excursions and walking transport.

• Bathroom and toileting routines.

• Administration of medication.

• Behaviour support incidents.

• High-risk activities.

• Emergency situations.

The Responsible Person must maintain access to communication devices and approved escalation contacts throughout the session.

3.5.1 Supervision Controls
Single Staff Model services must implement additional supervision controls, including:

• Clearly defined service boundaries.

• Restricted access to non-program areas.

• Continuous headcounts and attendance verification.

• Active supervision scanning techniques.

• Environmental positioning that maximises visibility.

• Child movement monitoring procedures.

• Enhanced sign-in and sign-out verification processes.

• Escalation procedures when attendance exceeds assessed safe operating capacity.

Where the Responsible Person determines that supervision cannot be maintained safely, the session must be modified, suspended or closed until risks can be effectively managed.

3.6. Emergency Preparedness
The Service Leaders will review Emergency Procedures and ensure suitability for the single staffing arrangement. Alternative emergency procedures must be developed in consultation with JAG Senior Leadership and communicated with all stakeholders. The emergency procedures must be practiced termly to ensure that children and team members are aware of the plan.

3.7. Child Safety
The safety, wellbeing and protection of children are paramount in all Single Staff Model services.

JAG recognises that reduced staffing arrangements can increase supervision and safeguarding risks. Accordingly, additional controls, monitoring and accountability measures are required to ensure children remain safe at all times.

Single Staff Model services must operate in a manner that:

• Promotes the safety, wellbeing and rights of every child.

• Supports active supervision and visibility of children.

• Minimises opportunities for harm, abuse, grooming or neglect.

• Maintains compliance with the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations.

• Ensures concerns relating to child safety are identified and escalated immediately.

• Maintains appropriate professional boundaries.

• Supports children's participation, voice and agency.

• Protects children during transitions, toileting, emergencies and high-risk activities.

Any safeguarding concern, allegation, disclosure or incident occurring within a Single Staff Model service must be immediately escalated in accordance with JAG safeguarding procedures, mandatory reporting obligations and relevant reportable conduct requirements.

The operation of a Single Staff Model must never compromise the ability of educators to protect children from harm, provide adequate supervision or respond effectively to emergencies.

4. Key Terms

Single Staff Model Service: Where a service is delivered with one JAG person

JAG People: Any adult that governs, manages, conducts work for or provides activities to JAG in a paid or unpaid activity spanning all levels of the organisational structure

Team Members: JAG People who work directly with children.

5. References

Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations

• Children Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010

• Child Safe Standards

• Educational and Care Services National Regulations

• National Quality Standards for Early Childhood Education and Care

Other Relevant Legislation

• Regulation 84 – Awareness of child protection law

• Regulation 90 – Medical conditions policy

• Regulation 145 – Staff record

• Regulation 147 – Staff members

• Regulation 149 – Volunteers and Students

• Regulation 150 – Responsible person

• Regulation 151 – Record of educators working directly with children

• Regulation 168 – Education and care service must have policies and procedures

• Regulation 170 – Policies and procedures to be followed

• Regulation 171 – Policies and procedures to be kept available

• Regulation 172 – Notification of change to policies or procedures

Related Policies

• HR Policies for SSM recruitment, including onboarding, orientation and induction for this scenario

• Emergency and Risk Management

• Medical Conditions Policy

• Incident, Injury, Trauma and Illness Policy

Related Procedures

• 02P004 Medical and Health Management Procedure

• 02P008 Emergency and Risk Management Procedure

• 04P001 Single Staff Model Procedures

Other

• Quality Area 2, 4, 6 & 7: Standards 2.2, 4.1, 6.2, 7.1

• OCG Guide to Child Safe Standards - https://ocg.nsw.gov.au/child-safe-scheme

• CCYP Child Safe Standards - https://ccyp.vic.gov.au/child-safe-standards/

• National Principles for Child Safe Organisations - https://childsafe.humanrights.gov.au/national-principles

Version: 4.1
Change History: JAG Policy Change Register
Date Approved: 12/06/2026
Date Implemented: 15/06/2026
Document Owner: Quality Service Development
Document Approvers: CEO / Approved Provider
Next Review: 24 months