- McGowan Government delivers election commitment to build better relationships between government agencies and the not-for-profit sector
- Updated Delivering Community Services in Partnership Policy to strengthen partnerships and improve outcomes for Western Australians
- Five-year contracts will ensure sector organisations have greater funding security
- State Government invested $1.5 billion in the community sector in 2017-18
The McGowan Government's commitment to working closely with the not-for-profit community services sector was boosted today, with the introduction of new measures in the Delivering Community Services in Partnership Policy.
The updated policy is a key milestone in the implementation of the McGowan Government's Supporting Communities election commitments.
The community services sector will be strengthened by the McGowan Government providing longer contract terms, less red tape, stronger collaboration with the sector and service co-design.
The policy recommends minimum five-year contracts, which will ensure sector organisations have greater funding security.
It will support community organisations to focus on service delivery outcomes rather than outputs, and put the experience and knowledge of people receiving and delivering services at the centre of the design process.
The policy has been developed after extensive consultation with government, the sector and the Supporting Communities Forum.
The State Government invested $1.5 billion in the community sector in 2017-18. This policy will support the sector to ensure every dollar goes further in supporting Western Australians.
The updated Delivering Community Services in Partnership Policy is available on the Department of Finance's website.
As stated by Community Services Minister Simone McGurk:
"The community services sector is an essential part of building strong and sustainable communities, so it is important that we get services right.
"This policy puts people at the centre of service design, focuses on outcomes for people receiving services and removes administrative burdens on sector organisations so they can get on with the important work supporting our community.
"The Department of Communities alone will disburse in excess of $220 million in 2018-19 to the community services sector, so it is essential to provide a framework which supports the sector."
As noted by Finance Minister Ben Wyatt:
"This announcement today brings together an extensive period of consultation with the not-for-profit sector about the best ways we can help them provide the best outcomes and also ensure that taxpayers receive the best value for money from their contribution."
