"Help! I'm Drowning in Admin... and I'd rather be barefoot in mud with a bunch of four-year old's."

"Help! I'm drowning in admin and I'd rather be barefoot in mud with a bunch of four year old's"

This statement (or at least some version of it, probably minus the mud if that's not your thing!) is something I am hearing daily. I hear it from educators, from nominated supervisors, from approved providers. In fact, I've been saying it myself. 

We are all talking about the administrative load and the impact that it is having on our ability to do what we love. I would suggest that very few of us got into this profession because we like filling out forms, or writing policies, or reading legislation, or making and completing checklist upon checklist. 

Of course, there is always going to be administration. This is a regulated profession and there are obviously important requirements to ensure that children are safe and supported. The problem isn't that there is administration, the problem is: 

• The volume of administration - the load keeps growing, the expectations keep increasing, and yet no-one can find more hours in their day
• The competing priorities from different governing bodies 
• The timeframes given to services to implement administration (e.g. new policies) 
• The lack of support or guidance given (I will admit that typically implementation guidance is given, however in the last 18 months there have been numerous occasions where the guidance is received well after the new bit of admin has needed to be implemented) 
  

In the last 18 months in particular, our sector has seen a huge shift, and a much needed emphasis on child safety. I don't want to downplay the importance of that. What I am worried about though is the number of professionals we are losing from our sector. Professionals who love what they do, but just can't keep up with the admin of it all. Professionals who are exhausted by constant change. Professionals who are feeling like they are in a permanent state of waiting to be caught out because they missed a key policy or form or checklist or requirement. Many of those who remain in the sector are in a heightened state of alertness.

So, what's the solution? 

I honestly wish I knew. Our team has put some amazing systems in place that have helped us to monitor implementation of changes, and compliance with regulations, but it still doesn't always feel like enough. We simply need to keep doing our best. 

• Ask for help where you can
• Ask the regulatory authority for support, information, guidance
• Create systems that work for you and your team
  

And remember - children are what matters. Our care, connection, protection and education of children is what matters. If we don't embrace that, if we don't have moments of remembering why we do what we do (those moments may or may not include some barefoot in the mud time), we will burn out in no time at all. If our sector continues to lose passionate professionals to burnout and administrative overwhelm, there will be no-one left to care for and educate children, the administration will all have been for nothing. 

If you are reading this as a "burning out" Nominated Supervisor, you might want to check out our Nominated Supervisors Membership - we've got some great modules to support you. It's just $37/month and you are free to cancel any time. We also have live monthly zoom sessions. Find out more here