June 2007

Partnerships key to service delivery

A commitment to continue with Partnership Forums was one of the first messages Fran Thorn gave to community sector representatives at the Department of Human Services Secretary’s Partnership Forum.

This was the 11th Forum and the first for Fran.

In her opening remarks, Fran stressed that she saw the Forums as providing a valuable opportunity for all participants to get to know each other better and to discuss the key service issues that impacted on the shared planning and delivery of community services.       

The Forum allowed many community sector representatives to meet Fran for the first time.

She described her involvement in the formative stage of the current partnership relationship, which occurred during her time at the Department of Premier and Cabinet.

The presentations by Victorian Council of Social Services Chief Executive Officer Cath Smith and the Secretary both emphasised the importance of contemplating what partnering has achieved in the past and what can be achieved in the future.

While Cath and Fran reflected on the benefits that have flowed from working in an established partnership, with a shared history and experience, there was also discussion about the need to recognise and respect some clear differences in the respective roles, responsibilities and accountabilities of the sector and the Department.

Financial and Corporate Services Executive Director Alan Hall provided the Forum with an analysis of the recent State Budget and the key Budget initiatives for the Department.

Tom Bentley, Executive Director for Policy and Cabinet in Victoria’s Department of Premier and Cabinet was Forum guest speaker.

He is a Director of the Australian and New Zealand School of Government, responsible for applied learning and innovative programs.

He was Director of Demos—a leading independent ‘think tank’ located in London—from 1999–2006.

Before that he was a special adviser to UK Secretary of State for Education and Employment David Blunkett, working on issues including school curriculum reform, social inclusion and creativity.

In his Adaptive State, Resilient Communities presentation Tom drew on this experience to give an overview of the changing demographics internationally, before looking at the local impacts of these changes on social structures and the subsequent emerging citizens’ demands. This stimulated discussion on consequences for community sector organisations in the short and longer term.

The next forum is scheduled for November.

Fran said she looked forward to continued robust partnership discussions.

•             For copies of Forum presentations and partnership information visit http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/pdpd.partnership/.