The group consists of a board of major SA education stakeholders including peak government and non-government care and education associations, unions and tertiary institutions.

The group advises on the reviews of the Education and Children’s Services Acts. Meetings are held during the day, on an ‘as-needs’ basis.

The State Government is currently reviewing the Education & Children’s Services Acts. It has convened this group of education employees and some independent stakeholders to provide feedback on the proposed amendments.

To date the process has seen the following changes:

Creation of the SACE Board
The Compulsory Education Age Bill

In 2008, to key papers were produced as precursors to legislative change:

Discussion Paper 2 - which dealt with the regulation and registration of education services
Discussion Paper 3 - which dealt with changes to the role of the Governing Council.

SAASSO provided a detailed Ministerial Submission on the limited mechanisms used to stimulate proposals for Discussion Paper 3. Specifically, we questioned the appropriateness of ‘reform’ of an Act which had seen only limited implementation due to bureaucratic resistance.

In 2009, the reform process has slowed and with a State Election looming in 2010, it is unclear what proposals will be tabled in the foreseeable future.

SAASSO’s State Council regularly meets with representatives from the review team to provide input.