14 August 2023
Member Update
Dear Families ACT members,
We hope you are avoiding all the winter illnesses! In this update: our 2022-23 annual report, an update on CYFSP Commissioning including the Sector Sustainability Program, the Next Steps listening report, the MACR service design workshops, our submission to the CYP Amendment Bill 1, spaces still available at the next Reflective Supervision training, our September JCR and ‘Talk to them’ training!
Families ACT’s 2022-23 annual report
Thank you to all our members who responded to the member survey in May 2023. Your feedback is reflected in our 2022-23 Annual report to the Community Services Directorate. This year we are also reporting against the four outcomes identified in our Deed of Grant. Please contact Will on eo@familiesact.org.au if you have any questions about our report.
Commissioning
CYFSP Commissioning
CSD continues to engage with the sector to inform the design phase of the Child, Young People and Family Services (CYFSP) commissioning process. The last Future Focussed Workshop on 23 May 2023 (see Future Focus Workshop listening report) started to explore possible program outcomes and future service delivery. Yvonne and Will attended the CYFSP Outcomes and Service Delivery Design Workshop on 8 August 2023 to review and provide feedback on draft program outcomes for CYFSP. A listening report of this workshop is now being collated.
Sector Sustainability Program
The first stage of the 2023-2028 Sector Sustainability Program has commenced, being co-led by ACT Government and Capital Region Community Services. The program was initiated following the clear view of sustainability challenges that were highlighted in the ACTCOSS and Government funded report: Counting the Cost: Sustainability funding for the ACT community services sector.
A Key focus areas and implementation plan was released to commence the program and nominations for the program’s governance committee are being sought (by 24 August 2023).
Community Central Referral Service commissioning underway
Commissioning for a central referral service for community services, supports and programs has commenced. The new service will refer those who need it to programs such as homelessness services; child, youth and family support services and the child protection sector. For more information on how you can provide feedback on the draft Community Central Referral Service Discovery document, please click here.
Other ongoing Commissioning cycles
There are currently over 30 active sub-sector commissioning cycles across the human service system. Each cycle moves along the commissioning phases of discover, strategise, design, invest, deliver & integrate. Regular updates on each cycle are provided on the Commissioning website.
Next Steps Listening report released
Last week, CSD released a Listening Report summarising the Next Steps focus group discussions and feedback received from 14 focus groups hosted by CSD’s Children, Youth and Families Division during April, May and June 2023. It also includes a summary of feedback from 7 written submissions received in May 2023. This feedback has been used to update the new service system and inform the approach to implementation. Feedback has also been used to inform the procurement program for the child protection, out of home care and support services. For more information on the child services reforms under Next Steps, please click here.
MACR Service Design workshops
On 26 July 2023 Yvonne attended the first of two MACR service design workshops at CSD. The first workshop looked at the function and responsibility of the multidisciplinary therapeutic panel under the legislative changes raising the minimum age of criminal responsibility. Another workshop is scheduled on 22 August which Will and Yvonne will attend.
Submission to Children and Young People Amendment Bill consultation
Families ACT’s submission to the Children and Young People Amendment Bill 1 Discussion paper is now available on our website. A listening report of the stage 1 consultation should be available late August. Work on stage 2 of amending the Children and Young People Act has commenced and the consultation on the stage 2 proposed amendments is scheduled to open soon. For more information on changing the CYP Act, please click here.
Register now for next Reflective Supervision training in September
Are you a team leader or manager within a Child, Youth and Family Services Program? Do you want to develop your skills as a supervisor? Learn about the supportive, educational, and reflective functions of supervision. Together with the Youth Coalition of the ACT, we have developed a reflective supervision training package specifically for local community sector services. The next training takes place over 3 days, consisting of 1 full day and 2 half days, on 14th September 2023 from 9:30am - 3:30pm; 28th September 2023 from 9:30am - 2:00pm and 12th October 2023 from 9:30am - 1:00pm. You will need to commit to attend all 3 sessions and complete the ‘take home’ tasks which support the reflective learning process.
For more information and to register, click here.
Join us for our next Joint Case Review (JCR)
Join us for our next Joint Case Review (JCR) on Thursday 21 September 2023 at 9.30am - 11.30am at our office. JCRs are structured group learning activities providing opportunities for problem solving, sharing knowledge & collaboration. For more information about JCRs, click here. To register for the September JCR, click here.
“Talk to Them” training - Responding to domestic & family violence (DFV) in youth work
The Youth Coalition of the ACT and the ACT Government - Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Office (DFSVO) have two upcoming training "Talk to Them" training sessions. The training takes place over 2 days on the 29th and 30th of August from 9:30am -4:30pm. The training will equip you with the necessary knowledge and confidence to initiate discussions about Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) with young people. Youth workers play a vital role in engaging with young people and providing them with support. This training will increase you capacity to understand, recognise and respond to DFV issues, safely refer the young person and/or family to specialist DFV services, and continue to support them as they navigate the specialist DFV support system. To register and for more information, click here.
Best wishes,
Yvonne Gritschneder
comms@familiesact.org.au
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