Around 30 people from government, philanthropy, community service organisations and academia joined the first Transforming Australia’s Social Services Roundtable on 23 October in Canberra. Participants gathered to discuss the challenges with Australia’s current system, and possible pathways towards its transformation to truly address vulnerability and disadvantage.
In the first session, participants unpacked the purpose of the social services system in addressing factors that worsen vulnerability. Looking at research on people- and place-centred ways of working, they explored potential drivers that could lead to transformation of the system. Opportunities were explored for building on the current reforms underway – such as Closing the Gap as well as reforms to early childhood education and care, disability employment services, the Australian Public Service and more – and promoting greater collaboration and alignment of effort.
Making the most of reform opportunities means overcoming assumptions and established ways of working while also embedding new practices within the tools and mechanisms that unlock government resources. Session 2 proposed avenues to further embed the drivers of a transformed system, including:
1. establishing a clearer purpose for the system and its subsystems;
2. integrating shared learning and developmental evaluation mechanisms;
3. developing new ways of commissioning social services; and
4. using demonstration sites or innovation zones to test new approaches and how to take them to scale.
CPD is due to release a report on this topic shortly after the roundtable, which will present the six interconnected drivers for a transformed social services system in more detail, along with recommendations to government on how to get started bringing this new approach to life. We will aim to bring this group back together in the new year to maintain momentum for reform.
Anyone interested in learning more about the roundtable or ways they can be involved is welcome to contact us.
