Industry Plan Implementation Governance Arrangements
Information on this page
- Governance arrangements
- Industry Advisory Group
- Consumer Advisory Group
- Project working groups
- Special interest advisory groups
- Further information
The following information outlines a strategy for implementing Partnering for the Future: The Victorian Industry Development Plan for the provision of support for people with a disability - referred to as the plan or Industry Development Plan.
The Executive Director of the Disability Services Division, Department of Human Services is sponsor of the Industry Development Plan implementation project.
Governance arrangements
The following governance arrangements will guide the plan's implementation:
- An Industry Advisory Group includes a diverse range of stakeholders and is the central vehicle driving the implementation.
- A Consumer Advisory Group enables full participation of people with a disability so they can have a significant influence on setting the priorities for industry development. This will make sure that the voice of people with a disability is strong in an environment where there are many voices.
- Time-limited working groups have been established to undertake the detailed implementation work.
- Special interest groups representing Koori and culturally and linguistically diverse communities will be established on an ad hoc basis. The groups will provide advice on issues relevant to their community of interest arising from the plan's implementation.
Consumer participation
People with a disability are members of the Industry and Consumer Advisory Groups, and participate in working group activities and processes.
Participation of parents and carers occurs through representation on the Industry Advisory Group and participation in working group activities and processes.
Industry Advisory Group
The Industry Advisory Group provides strategic advice and guidance on the plan's implementation.
Terms of reference
The role of the Industry Advisory Group is to:
- Provide high-level advice on:
- priorities for implementation of the Industry Plan
- location of responsibility for progressing the priority activities of the plan's key result areas
- establishment of monitoring and review mechanisms and criteria for assessing the achievement of key priority actions
- strategies for effective consultation and collaboration in undertaking priority activities with a diverse range of stakeholders reflective of the Victorian community.
- Report to the Minister for Community Services, Project Sponsor and the ‘industry’ every six months on progress with and achievement of key priority actions outlined in the Industry Development Plan
- The Industry Advisory Group will meet with the Minister for Community Services on an annual basis
- The Industry Advisory Group will take account of the views of the Consumer Advisory Group in finalising priorities for action and undertaking its monitoring, review and reporting functions.
Chairperson
The Executive Director, Disability Services Division chairs the group.
Membership
Membership comprises representatives of:
- people with a disability
- parents and carers and consumer advocacy groups
- statewide, regional and local service providers
- workforce organisations
- training organisations
- state and local governments
- philanthropic organisations
- academia
- business
- culturally and linguistically diverse communities
- Koori communities.
Membership is by invitation of the Executive Director, Disability Services Division.
Meetings
The group has been convened for up to three years. It meets bi-monthly. The terms of reference and meeting schedule are reviewed annually.
Consumer Advisory Group
The Consumer Advisory Group makes sure that there is maximum opportunity to involve people with a disability of diverse backgrounds and experiences in decision-making and priority setting for the implementation of the Industry Develpment Plan.
This group is one way of demonstrating the commitment to supporting people with a disability to become leaders in their communities and influence decision-making.
Terms of reference
The Consumer Advisory Group independently considers and advises on the following matters to inform the implementation strategy for the plan from the perspective of people with a disability:
- priority activities of the key result areas
- monitoring and review of working group activities, and achievement of key priority actions
- approaches to achieving effective partnership, consultation and information dissemination.
The views of the Consumer Advisory Group will be formally recognised and acknowledged in the advice provided by the Industry Advisory Group.
Chairperson
The Executive Director, Disability Services Division chairs the group.
Membership
Membership comprises people with a disability.
Membership is determined by a departmental panel, following an advertised expression of interest process.
Meetings
The group meets bi-monthly, in tandem with the Industry Advisory Group meeting cycle. The group has been convened for up to three years. The terms of reference and meeting schedule are reviewed annually.
Project working groups
Project working groups undertake detailed work to further the implementation of the plan’s key priority actions, taking account of activities already underway or in train across the industry.
Membership is constituted to reflect knowledge and skills and stakeholder perspectives required to inform and advance the key priority actions. Project working groups will:
- be chaired by industry leaders nominated by the Industry Advisory Group
- develop project plans specifying actions, milestones, output measures and outcomes for nominated projects. Some project activity may be outsourced
- establish specific project groups to address issues of diversity
- provide regular briefings and progress reports to the Industry Advisory Group and the Consumer Advisory Group on achievement of milestones in the implementation of the key priority actions
- ensure that the views of people with a disability are reflected in the working group activities and outputs.
Project working groups are supported by relevant program teams within the Disability Services Division, Department of Human Services and Office for Disability, Department of Planning and Community Development.
The following working groups have been established:
Workforce planning and development
This working group was established to inform the development, implementation and monitoring of a five-year workforce strategic plan for the disability support sector that:
- fosters collaborative partnerships with other human services and broader industry groups
- focuses on activities required to be undertaken within the next five years within the context of a broader vision of 2020
- specifies actions, milestones, output measures and project outcomes
- ensures that the views of people with a disability are reflected.
Representatives on this working group include relevant departmental staff and key stakeholders, for example National Disability Services (NDS), training organisations, unions and service providers.
Community service organisations governance and management capacity
This working group has been established to develop detailed strategies to address governance and capacity building. It will support community service organisations in strategic planning for the future that will lead to informed business and community decisions in the context of the plan.
The group aims to:
- increase awareness of governing bodies in relation to their role in the changing environment
- identify governance and management issues in relation to the changing environment
- develop advice and a project proposal for the plan’s implementation strategy through identifying priorities for support and investigating possible approaches to enhancing business and strategic planning capacity.
Individualised support
This advisory group provides a forum for informed discussion, with particular emphasis on providing advice and guidance on key tasks and deliverables of the Individual Supports project. Membership comprises a broad representative group of people and their carers who use disability services and key advocacy groups.
Special interest advisory groups
Special interest advisory groups, such as those representing Koori and culturally and linguistically diverse communities, will be established on an ad hoc basis to consider and advise on issues arising from the implementation of the plan.
Support to attend meetings
Arrangements will be made for a hearing loop, interpreters and attendant care support for any member of an advisory or working group, as required. All documents are provided in large print or alternative formats as required.
Reimbursement
Advisory and working group members are reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in the course of their respective group activities. Where required, reimbursement will also be provided to members requiring personal support to attend meetings.
Industry Development Plan Implementation Governance Structure
Further information
For further information about the implementation governance arrangements please contact:
Karen Piper
Telephone 03 9096 0031
TTY 03 9096 0133
Email industryplan@dhs.vic.gov.au