The Delivering Community Services in Partnership (DCSP) Policy applies to all Western Australian government agencies that provide funding for, or purchase community services, from organisations. The DCSP Policy applies to all:
- State funded services.
- Commonwealth and industry funded services – to the extent that the requirements of the DCSP Policy are not inconsistent with the requirements of that service.
In undertaking any community services procurement activity, government agencies must understand and comply with the requirements of both the:
- DCSP Policy.
- Western Australian Procurement Rules.
The DCSP Policy sets out several partnership principles and behaviours dedicated to encouraging genuine partnership between government agencies and the community service sector. The principles and behaviours focus on:
- participation of Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, the community services sector, and service users when planning, co-designing and delivering community services;
- sustainable service delivery; and
- establishing service agreements that reduce the administrative burden on service providers.
The main changes in the DCSP Policy are:
- a new partnership principle to prioritise Aboriginal wellbeing and increase the number of services being delivered to Aboriginal people by ACCOs;
- emphasis on culturally safe engagement with Aboriginal and culturally and linguistically diverse people;
- a definition of ACCOs and enabling direct engagement of ACCOs by agencies;
- simplification of procurement processes where this will support service providers with less experience in participating in the procurement process; and
- consideration of integrated service delivery between State agencies.
Buy Local Policy price preferences and regional content preferences are not applicable to procurements under the DCSP Policy.
Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations
Show moreThe State Commissioning Strategy for Community Services identifies Inclusive services with a focus on Aboriginal outcomes and partnerships as a key theme. A priority of the State Commissioning Strategy Implementation Plan is improving and increasing contracting with ACCOs to enable culturally safe services.
Developing culturally safe services planned and co-designed with Aboriginal and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) people will result in increased engagement in services that meet people’s needs, and improved outcomes.
The DCSP Policy defines an ACCO as an organisation that is:
- Incorporated under State or Commonwealth legislation and not for profit.
- Controlled and operated by a majority of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
- Involved or connected to the community, or communities, in which it delivers the services.
- Governed by a majority Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander governing body.
Agencies can refer to these sources of evidence to assist in the identification of an ACCO.
| Criteria | Sources of evidence |
|---|---|
| Incorporated by State or Commonwealth legislation and a not-for-profit organisation | Check register(s) or request a copy of the constitution / governing document.
AND
|
| Controlled and operated by a majority of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people | If registered with ORIC the constitution / rule book will be available as a public document. Governing documents are downloadable from the ACNC.
|
| Involved or connected to the community, or communities, in which it delivers the service | Seek location(s) and areas of service provision in Request.
|
| Governed by a majority of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people | If registered with ORIC the constitution / rule book will be available as a public document. Governing documents are downloadable from the ACNC.
|
Integrated Services
Show moreIntegrated services involve collaboration with multiple parties to provide coordinated, efficient and accessible services to achieve better outcomes for service users and the community. To ensure successful integrated service delivery, there must be an ongoing commitment to genuine collaboration and information sharing.
The Western Australian (WA) Government State Commissioning Strategy for Community Services 2022 outlines the importance of planning and designing integrated and place-based services and this is identified as a priority area in the State Commissioning Strategy Implementation Plan 2022-2024. Integrated service delivery is also outlined in the Delivering Community Services in Partnership (DCSP) Policy. The strategic and policy framework supporting integrated services highlights the WA Government’s shift towards integrated and place-based service delivery.
Joint commissioning
Joint commissioning is an approach used to achieve integrated services by two or more government agencies working together across the commissioning cycle. Through this collaborative approach, agencies can share responsibility to achieve improved outcomes for communities and reduced administrative burden for both government and service providers.
Joint commissioning ranges from a shared policy environment, tools, and approaches to a more explicit strategic alignment to meet shared outcomes. The best approach will depend on the needs of the community, maturity of each agency’s commissioning practices, flexibility of resources and strength of interagency alignment and relationships.
Some members of the community access services across multiple government departments. Integrating service delivery can assist in reducing unnecessary overlap in services, remove organisational barriers, allow for increased resources, and encourage holistic service provision to vulnerable communities.
| Case Example - Joint Commissioning |
Department A and Department B have contracts for drug and alcohol intervention in the south metropolitan area. Under a joint commissioning approach, Department A approaches Department B to undertake a co-design process for a joint Request for drug and alcohol service delivery. Departments A and B agree that Department A will be the lead agency, and a Memorandum of Understanding is developed to formalise arrangements. Prior to commencing co-design, Departments A and B develop a budget submission. Once a budget is approved, Departments A and B can commence joint co-design activities. |
Formalising arrangements between commissioning agencies
For a successful integrated and place-based community service, formalised arrangements with all co-commissioners must be created. Formal arrangements can be a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or other contractual instruments. The agreement must define the details of the arrangements and the lines of responsibility each commissioner holds.
Cooperative procurement arrangements (CPAs) are one procurement method agencies can use to establish integrated services. Role and responsibilities for CPAs are generally outlined through a MOU.
Key points to consider when creating formal arrangements are:
- Who will be the contract owner?
- How will contract management responsibilities be shared?
- What are the reporting requirements for each commissioning agency?
- How will the program plan be created and who is responsible for each component?
- What is the flexibility of resources?
- Is a budget submission required and who will be responsible?
- Which agency is funding which commissioning elements?
- What is the timeframe?
For joint commissioning and collaborative arrangements to be successful, they must be grounded by enabling principles for collaboration. These include[1]:
| Enabler | Outcome |
| Clearly defined and shared outcomes | Creating a shared definition of success that all agencies understand. |
| Strong relationships | Building trust and maintaining transparency through clear and consistent communication. |
| Leadership at all levels | Collaboration and responsibility for joint commissioning at all levels. |
| Strength based roles and responsibilities | Using the strengths and capabilities from each agency, supported by governance arrangements. |
| Commitment to the initiative | Formalising a commitment to shared goals through a MOU or other arrangement. |
[1] Supporting information and outcomes through joint commissioning PricewaterhouseCoopers and Commissioning NSW July 2020
Key Challenges to Successful Joint Commissioning
Joint commissioning presents challenges as it requires a high level of communication and flexibility throughout the process. By understanding some of these challenges, agencies can create structures and systems that support open and consistent communication.
These challenges can include differing commissioning styles, misaligned timelines, power imbalances, lack of capacity and capability, funding arrangements, and data sharing protocols and governance[2]. To avoid and minimise these issues, it is important to clarify and document agreed expectations regarding the distribution of responsibilities, commissioning approach, transition plan, timelines, data protocols and funding.
2 Supporting information and outcomes through joint commissioning PricewaterhouseCoopers and Commissioning NSW July 2020
Master Agreements
Show moreWhere an agency has awarded multiple service agreements to a single service provider, resulting in multiple and inconsistent reporting requirements, individual service agreements between the state agency and service provider can be combined into a single contract. This single contract, known as a master agreement, will generally contain a single set of contract conditions but comprise of multiple service schedules. A master agreement allows for standardised reporting and consistency for the service provider. The mechanism for agencies to create master agreements is outlined in the DCSP Policy and is in keeping with commitment under this policy to reduce administrative burden for service providers.
| Case Example - Master Agreement |
Department C has five separate service agreements with a large community service organisation who provides homelessness and family and domestic violence services within the Perth metropolitan area. These service agreements are managed within different areas of Department C and each one has differing start and end dates, reporting requirements, and payment schedules. Department C varies the service agreements to form a single master agreement. This results in reduced administrative burden for the service provider and a more cohesive relationship with Department C, with combined reporting requirements and contract management meetings. |
Grants
Show moreThe DCSP Policy provides guidance for agencies intending to establish grants for community services.
The Western Australian Grants Administration Guidelines 2022 provides guidance for agencies for grants for other purposes.
