It is important for our department to ensure we have the right processes, systems and cultures in place to achieve the best possible outcomes. To meet the new risks and opportunities ahead of us, we recognise that we should always be improving how we:
- collaborate with partners
- share knowledge
- deliver programs and services
- demonstrate accountability to stakeholders
- engage communities
- plan for the future.
As the stewards of a broader social and housing services system, we must also support our funded agencies to consider their own practices and ways of working. Our staff and the community services sector cannot meet evolving community needs without:
- robust governance and integrity functions
- effective data management and information-sharing within the department and across government and the sector
- research and evaluation support
- sustainable, effective service delivery models.
Over the next four years, we will:
- strengthen accountability and integrity functions, including by reviewing our complaints and feedback processes to ensure they are fit for purpose, client-focused, contemporary, efficient and effective
- improve our use of digital technologies, including by:
- designing a modern, integrated client and case management system for community and family services
- adopting new tools to improve how we prevent and respond to family violence
- enhancing the corporate systems that underpin all our people, process and financial management
- improve our use of data insights and promote evidence-based program and service design, including by:
- expanding the Menu of Evidence to continue providing searchable and independent information on evidence-based practices and programs that support children, young people, families and carers experiencing vulnerability
- evaluating programs including Better Futures, Home Stretch and the Family Group Conferencing pilot
- strengthening data collection, analysis and reporting through the MARAM and Family Violence Information Sharing schemes, to inform family and sexual violence responses
- developing and reporting on datasets to measure outcomes against strategies such as the youth strategy
- elevate lived experience expertise and client voice in the design of programs and services, and through advisory committees and engagement with commissioners
- strengthen the cybersecurity capabilities and posture of both our department and our service delivery partners
- implement annual surveys and related actions to promote a positive risk culture.