Human Services: The case for change
Human Services: The case for change was released by the Minister for Mental Health, Women’s Affairs and Community Services, Mary Wooldridge and the Minister for Housing, Children and Early Childhood Development, Wendy Lovell at the Human Services Partnership Implementation Committee (HSPIC) Partnering Dialogue – Realising our potential: department, sector and community on 14 December.
Human Services: The case for change outlines the need for system-wide change to better assist the vulnerable, tackle disadvantage, and move towards a more client focussed human services system. The document reflects consolidated sector feedback about current challenges and potential solutions, acknowledging that the sector will play an integral part in shaping and driving the implementation of future initiatives.
There are some great strengths in our existing system, including the dedication and professionalism of our workforce, the ingenuity and innovation of our community sector, and pockets of great practice where particular programs and organisations are achieving amazing results for some of Victoria’s most vulnerable people.
However, the historical development of our system has led to prescriptive, fragmented and overly bureaucratic structures. We are delivering hundreds of programs targeted at a range of different issues – yet rarely do we focus on people as a whole. This can mean a lack of focus on the whole context of a client’s life.
From a client’s perspective, the system can seem complex and confusing, with clients having to navigate from program to program themselves, rather than experiencing seamless support. Crucially, a lack of focus on long-term solutions that help people move permanently out of disadvantage can lead to people becoming dependent on the system.
These are the challenges we must address together. Human Services: The case for change represents the starting point for these discussions.
It sets out five core principles that will guide our approach to moving towards such a system:
1. People are at the centre of everything we do.
2. People in need should have access to the right support, provided in a cost-effective way.
3. All parts of the human services system should work together.
4. A skilled workforce is key to a more integrated system and to better client outcomes.
5. Victorians who access our services will be valued, respected and treated fairly at all times.
The first step in this process of change is reforming case management commencing at two lead sites: Dandenong and Geelong/South West.
Case management reform will immediately assist those clients in most need, with the most complex problems, while providing a strong platform for larger scale system reform. Consultation with the broader human services sector, our workforce, service delivery partners and other stakeholders in coming months will inform the next steps.
For more information contact the Industry, Workforce and Strategy Division on 1300 650 172, email caseforchange@dhs.vic.gov.au or visit Human Services: The case for change news article.
