The Delivering Community Services in Partnership Policy (2023) will:
break down the barriers between State agencies, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, and the not-for-profit community services sector, by promoting productive relationships based on Partnership Principles and Behaviours;
provide direction in the approach to the procurement of Community Services. This includes the requirement for sound planning, genuine stakeholder engagement, co-design, and relationship-based service agreement management;
promote flexibility, innovation, and community responsiveness to better meet community, cultural and individual needs;
clarify when a targeted approach to procuring Community Services is appropriate and when an open tender is more appropriate;
enable direct negotiation with one or multiple Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations for services supporting Aboriginal people;
promote appropriate and culturally safe engagement with Aboriginal and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse people in developing community services;
streamline procurement processes, reducing ‘red tape’, complexities and inconsistencies, and standardising terminology to clarify the dialogue between all parties; and
ensure that State agencies contract with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and the not-for-profit community services sector in a manner that supports sustainable and effective service delivery and recognises the importance of ongoing organisational viability.
Partnership Principles and Behaviours
Show moreState agencies must engage with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, the not-for-profit community services sector, and service users in a manner that is consistent with the following Partnership Principles and Behaviours:
Partnership Principles
A joint commitment to improve health, well-being, social, cultural, and economic outcomes for the Western Australian community.
A recognition of the value and contribution of State agencies, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, the not-for-profit community services sector, and service users in the planning, co-design, and delivery of Community Services.
A commitment to fostering a diverse sector of small, medium, and large not-for-profits.
A collaborative approach to decision-making based on mutual trust and respect that fosters openness and transparency in procurement of Community Services.
An enduring commitment to the sustainability of Community Services.
A commitment to reduce the administrative burden associated with the procurement of Community Services.
A commitment to prioritising Aboriginal wellbeing and increasing the number of services being delivered to Aboriginal people by Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.
Behaviours
Drive demonstrable improvements in outcomes for all Western Australians.
Engage service users in the ongoing planning, co-design, and delivery of sustainable Community Services through direct and indirect methods of consultation and representation in the development of service delivery.
Consult on all significant issues and adopt a collaborative approach to decision-making, including the development of policy, planning and service co-design.
Conduct all planning, co-design, and delivery of Community Services activities with transparency and open communication, including the sharing of appropriate data, information, and the basis for decisions.
Build processes that support State agencies and Organisations to work together to ensure that budget levels are sufficient for sustainable Community Services.
Acknowledge the value of place-based Organisations with local knowledge and connections to people and place in regional and rural areas.
