Annual Report 2002–03 Volume I



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Partnerships for people


This section describes how FaCS implements the Government’s commitment to encouraging the wider community to become involved in creating and delivering its policies, programs and services.

To encourage wider community involvement, FaCS:

administers Australian Government funding to service providers and peak community organisations

works collaboratively with business, the community and other government organisations through a ‘social coalition’

works with Centrelink to make sure government policies are delivered effectively to the Australian community.

External providers


FaCS administered almost $1.3 billion in payments to the states, territories and the community sector in 2002–03 to provide services in areas including public housing, disability, child care, youth, community and Indigenous programs, family relationships and homelessness. Within the community sector FaCS funds in total, directly and indirectly, almost 13 000 organisations.

FaCS identified service delivery and implementation as priorities in its Priority Plan 2002–03. A service delivery policy promoting best practice and consistency of practice across FaCS is under development. To underpin this policy a number of resources will be produced, including a practical guide for FaCS staff that will support them through the service delivery lifecycle.

FaCS is a leader in managing funding arrangements with the community sector and developing standard funding agreements. It has made its funding agreements more consistent, with a focus on delivering services and outcomes for the community. FaCS’ relationships with service providers, however, go beyond the mechanics. Its partnership approach-working collaboratively with Australian Government, state, territory and non-government community agencies-has made project development, service planning, funding and service delivery more holistic.

The Community Builders project in South Australia (SA) is an example. FaCS and the SA Office of Regional Development identified a need for a community-based leadership program. A partnership reference group, with FaCS, the SA Office of Regional Development and the Local Government Association of South Australia as members, guided the project implementation.


Funding for peak bodies


Through the National Secretariat Program, FaCS supports peak organisations to contribute to government policy and service delivery and channel information between government and their membership. It also provides a consultative mechanism for the ministers and the portfolio.

The National Secretariat Program provided financial support to 20 national community peak bodies representing six portfolio programs: community services, homelessness, welfare, disabilities, children’s services and family relationships.



Total expenditure 2002–03: $3 396 486 (GST exclusive).

Table 74: Organisations funded under the National Secretariat Program

PEAK BODY

2002–03a

National Secretariat

Australian Council of Social Service

$467 227

National Industry Association for Disability Services (ACROD)

$250 000

Families Australia

$250 000

Australian Early Childhood Association

$250 000

Australian Federation of Homelessness Organisations

$250 000

Volunteering Australia

$150 000

Secretariat support

Blind Citizens Australia

$120 000

Deafness Forum of Australia

$120 000

Head Injury Council of Australia

$120 000

National Council on Intellectual Disability

$120 000

National Ethnic Disability Alliance

$120 000

Australian Association of the Deaf

$120 000

Physical Disability Council of Australia

$120 000

Women with Disabilities Australia

$120 000

Program support grants

Centacare Australia

$107 720

Family Services Australia

$153 822

Relationships Australia

$105 730

Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care

$129 785

Lone Fathers Association

$50 000

National Council of Single Mothers and their Children

$50 000

Australian Early Childhood Association

$50 000

Australian Federation of Homelessness Organisations

$50 000

Australian Association of the Deaf

$40 000

Blind Citizens Australia

$40 000

Deafness Forum of Australia

$40 000

Total

$3 396 486

a. The nature of this program means that some funding is also reported in the individual output group performance reports.

FaCS—Centrelink relationship


Centrelink is the primary agency for delivering income support on behalf of FaCS and it acts as a gateway for related services.

The Business Partnership Agreement (BPA) between FaCS and Centrelink is a significant purchasing agreement. FaCS and Centrelink are committed to continuing development of the partnership and ensuring policy and service delivery improvements flow on to the Government and Australian community.

The agreement details the principles and corporate aspect of the relationship, and identifies Centrelink’s role in delivering FaCS outputs and contributions to outcomes. The agreement continues to recognise and respect the simultaneous independence and interdependence of the two organisations. It is based on an efficient and cooperative partnership, relying on communication, open accountability, mutual understanding and trust, rather than being a legalistic and prescriptive contract. Annual changes to the agreement reflect the maturing relationship as well as variations and additions to the work of the portfolio.

State and territory office network


The state and territory office (STO) network takes on ‘lead state’ roles, contributing to specific policy areas (see Table 75).

With their unique expertise and local networks, lead states added value to FaCS’ work by:

assuring ministers that FaCS’ advice is informed by community input

enhancing our capacity to do business in a ‘joined-up’ way

providing links across programs and with other levels of government

using local knowledge to give us a competitive advantage in a contestable policy environment

highlighting ‘hot spots’ and trends

gathering and disseminating information within the department and between Centrelink and other service providers.

For example, as the lead state on youth, the New South Wales office had regular teleconferences and contact with the STO Youth Managers Network and with youth branches at National Office. During the year it took responsibility for the Youth Lead State discussion database, which went ‘live’ on 12 February 2003.

To fulfil its responsibilities as the lead state on Families, the South Australian office used its collaborative model to ensure effective two-way communication with both external and internal stakeholders. With contributions from National Office and the rest of the STOs, the South Australian office issued quarterly reports, invaluable in raising and tracking emerging childhood and family issues, most recently in the areas of foster care and work and family.



Table 75: FaCS lead state responsibilities

Area of focus

Output group

Lead state

Families

1.1

South Australia

Youth

1.2

New South Wales

Children

1.3 & 1.4

Victoria

Housing/Homelessness

2.1

South Australia

Community

2.2

Victoria (Tasmania as support)

Indigenous

2.1 & 2.2

New South Wales

Labour Market

3.1

New South Wales

Disabilities

3.2

Western Australia and Queensland

Carers

3.3

Indigenous Policy and Northern Australia Office

Aged

3.4

Victoria


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