|
|
AIM
To provide a clearly defined payment procedure for Families, Carers and the Co-ordination Unit in order that payment of accounts is prompt, efficient and fulfills Regulations requirements.
RATIONALE
It is the role of the Co-ordination Unit to facilitate and regulate payments made to Carers by Families attending the Scheme. To this effect a uniform process has been created which will help maintain continuity if Families change attendance between Carers, and which will give Carers a consistent framework in which to process their accounts.
This policy will ensure that the process of payments is kept within our regulatory requirements.
STRATEGIES
1) Payments on Daycare hours utilized by Families should be made to Carers; payment from Families is the difference between cost of care and amount of their Benefit entitlement. Subsidy is paid bi-weekly, directly to the Carer, on the Family's behalf, by the Co-ordination Unit;
2) Carers may elect not to work on Public Holidays. However, booked hours on Public Holidays attract normal charges. If the carer is willing to work on a Public Holiday, there is a higher fee rate (as per Fee Schedule). If a substitute carer is used, full fee may apply;
3) The payment of accounts to Carers, from the Co-ordination Unit will take place
every 2 weeks; However Carers have a choice of how often they present their accounts to the Families using their services. Such arrangements should be made between the Carer and the Family when appropriate;
4) Carers must advise the Families of the amount due, and issue a receipt when
they receive payment of the account; receipts need to contain the following
information :
- name of the service; receipt number; date the payment was made;
name of the family or person who paid; name of the child/children covered
by the receipt; period to which the fee relates; amount of Child Care
Benefit for the period covered by the receipt; amount paid (do not include
CCB in this amount); signature of the person issuing the receipt.
5) Families should pay their Carers promptly after receipt of accounts, and in
accordance with their payment arrangements;.
6) If Families fail to pay their account for 2 consecutive payments, the Carer must
advise the Co-ordination Unit at once, and inform the Family that he/she has done so;
7) The Carer has the right to deny further care to any family who has failed to meet
payments;
8) Families cannot be referred to a new Carer until outstanding debts have been
settled with the original Carer.
9) Families are encouraged to contact the Co-ordination Unit and discuss with the
Co-ordinator pressing financial needs they may have, which prevent them
from meeting their child care payments.
There is help available for genuine financial difficulties.
10) Families are required to sign/initial their children arrival and departure times, when delivering and picking up their children. These hours may not coincide with booked times, but they will be a correct record of attendance.
REQUIREMENTS OF REGULATIONS AND OTHER STANDARDS
Australian Government, Department of Family and Community Services, Child Care Service Handbook 2005/6 part 2, Overview, 9 (1-7), 12(1-6), 13(1-12)
|
|
|
