November 2002

Agreement signing a partnership milestone

Department of Human Services Secretary Patricia Faulkner has described a formal Partnership Agreement signed by the Department and funded sector representatives as a ‘milestone in the partnership journey.’

Ms Faulkner joined Victorian Council of Social Services Chief Executive Officer Cath Smith and Victorian Healthcare Association Executive Officer Iain Fraser in a signing ceremony at the second Department/Funded Sector Partnership Forum attended by Department executives and representatives of peak funded sector organisations.

The Partnership Agreement builds on months of discussions between the parties.

As well as spelling out basic principles for a stronger relationship, the Agreement provides a clear, practical agenda for reform.

It provides concrete commitments to improved business processes, real changes in attitudes and practices and better consultation on planning and service development.

Before the forum, sector representatives had requested a detailed briefing on the Partnership Flagship Project, in particular the Department’s commitment to introducing three-year service agreements.

The Department’s Strategic Projects Director Andrew Stripp addressed the forum on this project, which he described as the ‘driver of cultural change’ in the relationship.

Mr Stripp said the project would respond to the representations made by agencies to the recently-completed Parliamentary Accounts and Estimates Committee inquiry into the Department’s service agreements.

It would reduce administrative processes and provide greater funding security through the three-year service agreements.

Mr Stripp also outlined plans to develop a sector-wide Support and Development Framework to guide the Department’s investment in key infrastructure such as IT, workforce development and support for agency governance.

He noted that reforms to business processes needed to be complemented by changes to attitude and practice in the working relationship between Department and agency staff.

Mr Stripp said the Project would develop training packages and other supports to strengthen this relationship.

An annual survey of agencies and Department staff would help assess the progress of the Partnership Project and identify issues for further work.

Financial and Corporate Services Executive Director Lance Wallace provided information on Department budget and financial arrangements.

The next biannual Forum will be convened by the Secretary in March/April 2003.

• The Partnership Agreement and further information on the Partnership Flagship Project is on the internet at www.dhs.vic.gov.au/pdpd/partnership. Funded organisations can contact the Partnership Team at the Department on Partnership.Project@dhs.vic.gov.au.