Partnership Forum – Mandurah/Peel Community Event
Summary Paper
On Thursday, 22 March 2012, the Partnership Forum invited members of the public from the
Mandurah and Peel regions to a morning event at the Bendigo Bank Stadium, Mandurah.
This event was designed to allow community members to actively engage with Partnership Forum
members, learn how the reforms are progressing and to meet and hear from those leading some of
the major reform areas.
Speakers at this event included:
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Professor Peter Shergold, Chair, Partnership Forum;
Eddie Bartnik, Commissioner, Mental Health Commission;
Jenni Perkins, Director General, Department for Communities; and
Francis Lynch, Chief Executive Officer, Ruah and President of WACOSS.
Group discussions took place following presentations. These gave representatives from the
community, not-for-profit and public sectors the opportunity to discuss key themes of the reforms
and the impact these have had on their organisations and the community.
Representatives from approximately 80 not-for-profit community organisations and public sector
agencies attended the event, with most coming from Mandurah and the Peel region. The event
concluded with a question and answer session.
KEY THEMES
A number of key themes emerged from this event, primarily focused on matters arising from the
implementation of the reforms at a regional level. While these reforms provide opportunities for
greater innovation and flexibility within both the community and public sectors, there are challenges
for both in their practical implementation. Engaging clients through person centred processes at a
regional level was also discussed. The central themes emerging from the event are outlined below.
Increased Flexibility and Improving Services and Support
All not-for-profit community sector organisations need to be aware of Component II funding and the
shift towards a more mature contracting relationship between the public and not-for-profit sectors
as outlined in the Delivering Community Services in Partnership Policy. This policy is aims to ensure
the ongoing sustainability of the not-for-profit sector by allowing organisations, especially those
operating in regional areas, to be responsive and flexible in meeting future community need through
person centred and outcomes based approaches.
Engagement of Consumers, Carers and their Families
The reforms require both the public and not-for-profit community sectors to be more responsive to
the needs of individuals, their carers and their families. As the reform provides greater flexibility for
not-for-profit organisations, the not-for-profit community sector will need to actively engage those
people who seek to access services, many of whom may be challenged by the increased flexibility
and person centred approach to services.
Desire for Increased Regional Representation in the Reform Process
Regional uptake of the reforms may be hampered by a lack of regional representation on the
Partnership Forum. During the group discussion, participants expressed concern about the
successful implementation of the reforms where there was no representation on the Partnership
Forum from regionally based organisations.
SPEAKERS’ KEY MESSAGES
The speakers each provided their own insight into the reform agenda. Key points from each speaker
are summarised below.
Professor Peter Shergold, Chair, Partnership Forum
Professor Shergold outlined the key objectives of the reform process, including:
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The importance of a sustainable not-for-profit sector and ensuring that a fair and
appropriate price is paid by government to the sector for the services it provides. He noted
the history of low wages and underfunding of not-for-profit community organisations and
how the additional funding of $600 million over four years would be distributed to address
this historical shortfall.
Reducing the administrative burden that is traditionally associated with contracting for
services with the not-for-profit sector. This is to include the use of standard templates,
streamlined reporting and the implementation of longer tenure of contracts.
Emphasising innovation in the community sector as a new way of empowering citizens as
consumers.
Increasing the use of self-directed services, which enable individuals and communities to
determine the services they need and how they are delivered.
Genuine partnerships between the public and not-for-profit sectors recognising the
specialist knowledge that community organisations have in providing services “on the
ground”.
A new approach to collaboration and partnership.
Eddie Bartnik, Commissioner, Mental Health Commission
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Mental Health care is split between “health”, and “on-the-ground”, localised, support.
Emphasised that mental health “touches everyone” and that service delivery should be built
around families and individuals.
Key reform directions for the Commission include “person centred supports and service”;
“connected approaches”, of services and supports to ‘wrap around’ people and “balanced
investment” through early intervention and consistent support.
Jenni Perkins, Director General, Department for Communities
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Detailed the funding and contracting reforms from a line agency’s perspective.
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With the Department for Communities providing recurrent funding to 150 community sector
organisations, the reforms provide an opportunity to focus on “broader outcomes” and to
move away from overly prescriptive service agreements.
Described how the reforms have provided the opportunity to liaise with all levels within
organisations, a clearer understanding of different service models and a recognition that “no
one-size-fits-all”, thinking outside the “contract development” stage and movement towards
a more collaborative relationship between the public and community sectors.
Challenges in implementing the Reforms, including resources, short timeframes and the
requirement to think abstractly.
Francis Lynch, Chief Executive Officer of Ruah, President of WACOSS
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From the community sector’s perspective, the combination of reforms at State and Federal
levels can be a confusing process.
The reforms present an opportunity to work in partnership to develop a long term plan to
build the capacity of the sector as well as support community sector organisations to engage
in the changing environment.
OUTCOMES OF THE GROUP DISCUSSIONS
At the interactive Question and Answer session, questions were raised on the:
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Under representation of the health sector and of regional service providers on the
Partnership Forum;
Next steps for the reforms and how ideas will be put into action; and
The need for greater support for self-directed service initiatives to ensure there is uptake at
a regional level.