Collaboration Key to Reform Victorian Community Sector
1 November 2013 at 2:33 pm
Government and the community sector will come together to form the new Victorian Community Sector Reform Council which will examine ways to best meet the needs of an ageing and growing population and improve the wellbeing of disadvantaged and vulnerable people.
According to Victorian Council of Social Service CEO Emma King, the reform council was formed in response to the recommendations of Professor Peter Shergold’s review of the community services system, titled Service Sector Reform: A roadmap for community and human services reform which included an extensive state-wide consultation process involving more than 700 participants.
The council will be co-chaired by Department of Premier and Cabinet Secretary Andrew Tongue and MacKillop Family Services CEO and VOCSS President Micaela Cronin.
“The report makes a series of recommendations, including initiatives to optimise collaboration, bringIng together government and the community sector with the goal of improving service delivery and meeting future challenges across Victoria to support better outcomes for all in the community,” King said.
“The report makes clear that change is required in the way that both government and the community sector work to provide more effective services that best meet the needs of vulnerable and disadvantaged Victorians.
“The Community Sector Reform Council will enable a collaborative approach to the implementation of Professor Shergold’s recommendations in a way that ensures the continuity and sustainability of vital frontline services to Victorians who need assistance and support.
“High level involvement across government departments and the sector will help overcome the silos that have been a barrier to effective reform and will support the delivery of services in more effective and innovative ways.
“The overarching goal is to work together to make a real difference in Victorians' lives. It is clear that we need to address the challenges facing Victoria including demographic changes, cost of living pressures and a growing reliance on community service organisations. This will be fundamental to a stronger and more inclusive community.”
Prof Shergold’s review was part of the Service Sector Reform Project, which started in 2012 and aimed to improve how government and the community sector work together to improve the lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged Victorians.
The project was in a partnership between the Victorian Council of Social Service, the Victorian Department of Human Services and the Office for the Community Sector.
The project aims to deliver lasting reform to the way that community services are delivered in Victoria, and has emerged from the Government’s position paper, Human Services: The case for change.
