GoodPractice Guidelines for Funding
Non-Government Organisations
DEPARTMENT OF THE CHIEF MINISTERPage 1 of 15 /
INTRODUCTION
TheNorthernTerritoryGovernmentiscommittedtobuildingastrongsocietyanda confidentculturethroughFramingtheFuture.TheNTGovernmentandthe non-governmentorganisation(NGO)sector,shareavisionofasocietywhere everyonehasthesameaccesstoopportunitiesandtheresourcestomakea contributionto,andfullyparticipateintheeconomyandsociety.
AlargenumberofNGOsreceiveNTGovernmentfundingtoprovideadiverserange ofservicesandinitiativeswhichsupportindividualsandthedevelopmentofstronger communities. Inthis context, aserviceprovider includesanyNGO whichis fundedby theNTGovernmenttoprovideanyservicetothecommunity,includingpeak organisationsorfor-profit organisations.
Theintegrityoffundingpracticesisessentialtothemaintenanceoftrustbetween governmentagenciesandserviceproviders.ThepurposeoftheNTGovernment GoodPracticeGuidelinesforFundingNon-GovernmentOrganisations(the Guidelines)istosetthecontextfortheprovisionoffundingtoserviceprovidersand establishfundamentalprinciplesandgoodpracticeguidelinesthatcanbeappliedto fundingpracticesacrossallNTGovernmentagencieswhichmeettheneedsofboth theNTGovernment andserviceproviders.
TheGuidelinesaimtoencourageamoreproductiveworkingrelationshipbetween theNTGovernment andNGO sectorby:
•guiding interactionsbetweenthe NT Government andserviceproviders
•providingclearandconsistentfundingpracticeswithinagenciesandacross government
•minimisingunnecessaryadministrativeprocesses.
TheGuidelinesincludethefullcycleofNTGovernmentfundingfromprogram planning,throughfundingagreementstoprogrammonitoringandevaluation. However,theGuidelinesdonotcoverwhatisfundedorwhoshouldbefunded.This is managedbyindividualgovernmentagencies.
1NT GOVERNMENT LEGISLATIVEAND POLICYCONTEXT
NTGovernmentGoodPracticeGuidelines forFundingCommunityServicesfitwithin anexisting regulatoryandpolicyframework.
1.1NT Government Funding
Fundingistheprocess ofidentifyingasuitableproviderforaspecific,definedservice andenteringintoanagreementbetweentheNTGovernmentandproviderforthe provisionofthat service.
WhiletheNTGovernmentisfocusedonimprovementinsocialoutcomesand increasedefficiencyoffundedservices,itrecognisesthatthefundingofcommunity servicesisfundamentallydifferenttothegeneralprocurementofgoodsandservices andrequiresadegreeofflexibility.However,theNTGovernmentalsoneedstobe assuredthatpublic fundsachievevalueformoney,represents anaccountableuseof publicmoneyandthatthebestresultsforindividualsandcommunitiesremains theultimate goaloffundingarrangements.
TheNTGovernmentusestwomainprocedurestoensurethatthemostappropriate serviceproviderisselectedtodelivertheservicesrequired.Thedifferencedepends onwhethertheservicesaretobeprovidedtotheNTGovernment astheenduser, in whichcaseaprocurement(tender)procedureisused.Iftheserviceisprovidedto thecommunityandthecommunityaretheendusers,thenafundingagreement (grants procedure) canbeused.Grantfundingandprocurementoperateunder different rulesandtheappropriateprocessesshouldbeappliedinbothcases.
Procurement Process
TheNTGovernment’sProcurementFrameworkisprescriptiveandunderpinsall procurementactivityundertakenbytheNTGovernmentthroughatender(and quotes)process.Itensuresthatallprocurementachievesbestvalueformoneyin supportinggovernmentservices. TheFramework comprises:
•theProcurement Act
•ProcurementRegulations
•ProcurementDirections
•theNorthern Territory ProcurementCode
•ProcurementCirculars.
TheProcurementActandRegulationsestablishthelegislativepowersand responsibilitiesoftheMinisterresponsibleforProcurement,NorthernTerritory Governmentagencies,ChiefExecutiveOfficersandemployees.TheProcurement Directionsaretheguidancetoagenciesonprocurementingovernment;theyare subordinatetotheProcurement Act andProcurement Regulations.
TheProcurementCodeestablishesasetofminimumstandardsfortheconductof businesswiththegovernment;compliancewiththiscodeisaconditionoftendering foranyofgovernment’scontracts.Therearealsofiveprinciplesunderpinningthe Government’s Procurement Framework. Theseare:
•best valueformoney
•openandeffectivecompetition
•enhancingthecapabilities oflocal business andindustry
•environmental protection
•ethicalbehaviourandfairdealing.
Grant FundingArrangement
TheprovisionofgrantsmustbeinaccordancewiththeNTGovernmentfinancial managementframeworkwhichincludestheFinancialManagementAct,Financial ManagementPrincipalsandTreasurer’sDirections,inthatappropriatemanagement, accountabilityandcontrolarrangementsareinplaceovertheassessmentof applications,approval,payment,ongoingmonitoringandacquittalofgrants. Generally, the NT Governmentprovides twotypes ofgrants:
•grantsforexternalserviceprovision.Agrantfundingagreementmakesexplicit links betweenthefundingandtheoutcomes oroutputs required.
•communitygrantswhichareusuallyprovidedannuallyunderspecificprograms andfordiscretetargetgroups.Thesegrantsareone-offandusuallyprovided forequipment,anactivityorevent.Theprocessesandeligibilityforthese grants areclearlystatedaspart of theprogram.
TheGuidelinescoverthefundingarrangementsforgrantsforexternalservice provision.However,someofthegoodpracticeprinciples,suchasmonitoringand reportingarealsoequallyapplicabletocommunity grant programs.
1.2Northern TerritoryGovernmentand NGO Sector Statement ofPrinciples
TheNTGovernmentandNGOSectorStatementofPrincipleswasdevelopedbythe NTGovernment/NGOPartnershipGroupwhichwasformedtoprovideleadership andfacilitatetherelationshipbetweentheNTGovernmentandtheNGOCommunity ServicesSector.TheStatementofPrinciplessetsouthowtheNTGovernmentand theNGOCommunityServicesSectorwillworktogetherinordertoprovidequality andappropriateservicesforTerritorians(AppendixA).
1.3NT Government Departmental PolicyandGuidelines
AnumberofNTGovernmentagencieshavetheirownspecificgrantsmanagement policiesandprogramguidelines, whichshouldbeinformedby theseguidelines. They include:theGrantsManagementPolicy(DepartmentofHealth),theGrants ManagementFramework(DepartmentofCorrectionalServices),theGrants ManagementPolicy(DepartmentofHousing)and the PeakSportingBody Investment ProgramGuidelines (Department ofSport andRecreation).
2PROGRAMPLANNING
Priortofundinganyservices,theNTGovernmentmustidentifytheissueandthe desiredoutcome.Relevantstakeholdersshouldbeconsultedontheneedsforthe relevantservicewithinthecommunity,aswellasthetypeandmixofpossible responses.Itisimportanttorecognisethevalueofsharingknowledge,information andexpertiseinplanninganddevelopingservices.
Agoodservicedesignisclearlydefined,realistic,canbedelivered,isinformedby goodpracticeandwherepossibledrawsonevidencefromexistingorpast programs. Servicedesignshouldalsoconsiderhowtheoutcomesoftheprogramcanbestbe sustained.
Duringtheplanninganddesignphase,considerationshouldbegiventohowthe NGOsectorcanpartnermosteffectivelywiththeNTGovernmentandhowthe programcancontributetothe long-termcapabilityorcapacity oftheNGO sector.
NT Governmentwill:
•establishprograms withclearandnon-conflictingobjectiveswhicharebasedon evidenceof need
•developperformancemeasuresattheplanningphasetoprovideabasisfor reviewingandevaluatingtheprogram’s objectives andoutcomes
•usesoundevidenceforpolicyandprogramdevelopmentandservicedelivery.
Where possible, NTGovernmentwill:
•obtaintheviewsofserviceprovidersduringthedevelopmentofnewprograms orprojectsortherenewal andreshapingof existingones
•makeinformationavailableonagencyprioritiesandlong-termplansand provideanopportunity for feedback–thiswillusuallybeintheformofstrategic plansandframeworks.
3FUNDING PROCESS
3.1Contestability
Withinthegrantsprocedure,therearefourdifferentapproacheswhichrelatetothe degreeofcontestability–thatis,thedegreetowhichserviceprovidershaveaccess toapply for funding,andtheextenttowhichbarriersareremovedorreducedtotheir participation.Theseapproaches are:
1.Anopenprocess–afullycontestableprocesswhereanopportunityis advertisedandopentoanyprospectiveserviceprovidertorespondtospecified assessmentcriteria.Afullycontestableprocessensuresfairnessand transparencyandprotectsboththeNTGovernmentandtheprovideragainst claimsofpreferment.ItalsoprovidesanopportunityfortheNTGovernmentto ‘test themarket’.
2.Aselectprocess–apartiallycontestableprocesswherealimitednumberof prospectiveserviceprovidersareinvitedtosubmitaproposalinresponseto specifiedcriteria.Aselectprocessmaybeaone-stageprocessorthesecond stageinatwostageprocess(seebelow).Aselectprocesscanbeusedwhen theserviceisspecialisedorregulatedandtherearealimitednumberofknown providersortheNTGovernmentwishestosupplementarangeofexisting providers bysupportingparticularservice models.
3.Amulti-stage/ExpressionofInterest–apartiallycontestableprocesswhere interestedserviceprovidersdeclaretheirinterestinapossibleopportunity. Generally,thefirststageor expression of interest establishes the level of interest inaserviceandtheexperience, capacityand/orexpertiseof theservice providertoundertakespecifiedrequirements,beforeentering into a select process.Thisprocessisusefulifthepotentialmarketofserviceprovidersis unknown,amixofserviceprovidersisrequiredortheservicesrequiredarenot clearlydefinedandareseeking innovationinservicedelivery.
4.Directnegotiation–anapproachismadetoonepotentialserviceprovider.This maybeappropriatewhenrenewinganexistingserviceagreementif,for example,theserviceisinaremotelocationwithonlyoneserviceprovider,the serviceneedisimmediateandthereisnotimefornewstart-upoperations,itis knownandacceptedthatonlyoneproviderhastherelevantexpertise, experience, capacity orcontinuity ofserviceprovisionis required.
Thekeytoselectingthemostappropriatefundingprocessisbasedonthe characteristicsoftheservicetobeprovided,thetypeandleveloffundingavailable, thenatureoftherelevantmarket,andtheexpertiseandcommunity relationships/networks ofanyknownproviders.
Whenrenewingserviceagreementsbydirectnegotiationgovernmentneedsto ensuretheserviceismeetingservicedeliverystandardsandcontinuingtorepresent valueformoney.Thismustbebalancedagainstthepotentialfornewservice providerstoenterthemarket.Thisisparticularlyimportantwhencommunityneeds orgovernmentpriorities change.
Apartnershiparrangementorcollaborationbetweenserviceproviderscanoften maximisetheoutcomesfromaservicebytakingadvantageofcomplementaryskills, expertiseandexperience.Establishinganewpartnershiptakestimeandresources. Thisisparticularlythecasefordevelopmentofappropriatepartnershipsbetween non-IndigenousandIndigenousorganisationswhicharebasedonstrengthening Indigenous organisational capacityandcontrol.
NT Governmentwill:
•usethemostappropriatefundingprocess.
•useappropriateselectioncriteriaandcriteriaweighting.
•ensuretheselectioncriteriadonotcreateunintendedbarriersforparticular organisations,particularlysmallerorganisationswithlimited resources.
Where possible, NTGovernmentwill:
•provideadequatetimelinesforserviceproposalstobedeveloped,particularly whenpartnershiparrangements arebeingencouraged
•includeselectioncriteriawhichdemonstrateculturalappropriatenesssuchas that a service provider requires a Reconciliation Plan and/or AboriginalEmploymentStrategyand/oraparticularpercentageofAboriginal staff
•considerselectprocesseswheretherearestrongrelationshipsandnetworks alreadyexistingbetweenserviceproviders,particularlycommunitiesand/or Aboriginal organisations
•makeinformationontheopportunitytoapplyforfundingwidelyavailableand easytounderstand
•subjecteveryfundedservicetoacontestableprocessat least,everysix years.
3.2Assessment of proposals
Fundinganyservicethroughacontestableprocesswillrequireanassessmentofthe individualproposalsreceived.Agoodassessmentprocessistransparentandis likelytoselectthebestproposalthatbestrepresentsvalueformoneyinthecontext andoutcomesoftherequiredservice.Theprocessshouldalsobefreefromtherisk ofclaimsofbiasorconflicts ofinterest.Decisions mustalsobebasedonthe establishedcriteria.Governmentprocurementhaswelldefinedassessment processes;however,whilsttheassessmentprocessforgrantswillvary,the documentationshouldsatisfyaccountabilityrequirementsinrelationtothe distributionof publicfunds.
NT Governmentwill:
•assess proposals inatimelymanner
•providefeedbacktoapplicantsregardingtheprocessandthereasons for decisions.
Where possible, NTGovernmentwill:
•inviteNGOstobepartoftheassessmentprocess,whereconflictofinterest doesnotoccur.
3.3Negotiation
Throughthegrantsprocessthereareanumberofopportunitiesfornegotiation betweentheNTGovernmentandserviceproviders.Betteroutcomesareachieved followingcollaborationandnegotiation.Negotiationaddsvaluetofunding arrangementsbymakingthebestuseofaserviceprovider’sexpertiseand experience;allowsforflexibilityandinnovationandmoresuccessfulandsustainable servicedelivery.
NT Governmentwill:
•conduct negotiations ingoodfaithandinatimelymanner
•recognisetheindependenceandautonomyof theserviceprovider
•recognisetheexpertiseoftheserviceprovidertomanageitsaffairsconsistent withits constitutionandother legal obligations
•providekeypersonnel withtheauthorityandabilityto makedecisions inrelation totheagreement
•recogniseserviceprovidersasapotentialsourceofinnovationandideasthat couldbeusedtoenhanceprogrampriorities.
Where possible, NTGovernmentwill:
•allowareasonableandflexibletransitionperiodwhenmajorchanges aremade toafundedactivityalreadyunderway.
4FUNDINGAGREEMENTS
FundingagreementsarealegallybindingcontractbetweentheNTGovernment (usually representedby anindividualNTGovernment agency)andaserviceprovider orconsortiumofserviceproviders.
4.1Length of term
Thereareanumberofbenefits inprovidingserviceproviders withlonger term fundingincludingstabilityofserviceprovisionandbetteroutcomesforclientsand communities.Theserviceprovidercanengageinlongertermplanningand investmentleadingtostaffretention,developmentofexpertiseandqualityandoften, forGovernment,bettervalueformoney.Therewillalsobeareductioninredtapefor boththeNTGovernmentandtheserviceproviderandallowsforanimproved relationshipbetweenbothsectors.Incomparison,annualfundingmeansa considerablelevelofuncertaintyforfundingbodies,providersandclientsandcan createundesirablefinancial difficultiesfortheprovider.
Insomecircumstancesotherfundingperiodsmayapplysuchasspecificproject fundingprograms,time-limited,one-offgrantsortiedfundingfromthe CommonwealthGovernment.Fundingperiodsoflessthanthreeyearsshouldbe approvedbytheagencyChiefExecutiveOfficerorappropriatedelegate.
Theappropriatenessofserviceagreementslongerthanthreeyearsneedstobe assessedonacase-by-casebasis.
NT Governmentwill:
•providethreeyear fundingagreementsforrecurrent funding,wherefundinghas beenconfirmed.However,fundinginthesecondandthirdyearof an agreementwillstillbeconditionalupontheserviceprovidermeetingtheir requirementsforperformancemonitoringandaccountability.
4.2Indexation
Themajorproblemwithrenewablefunding is theerosionofits valueovertime, which has resultedinviability andservicedeliveryissuesfor manyservicesandprograms.
UniformapplicationofindexationwillensurethatallNGOs(withrecurrentfunding) willreceivethesameindexationlevel,regardlessofwhichagencyisfundingthem, reducing inequitiesacross programareas.
NT Governmentwill:
•applyindexationtoNTGovernmentfunding(consistentwiththeparameters appliedtoNTGovernmentagencygrantbudgets)toalleligiblerecurrentgrant fundingfromthesecondyearofcontinuedservicedelivery. NotingCommonwealth GovernmentgrantswhichareadministeredbytheNTGovernmentmaynot includeindexation
•factor indexationintomulti-yearfundingagreements.
4.3Equal RemunerationOrder
In2012FairWorkAustraliamadeanEqualRemunerationOrder(ERO)toincrease thewagesby23-45%(innineequalinstalmentsoveraneightyearperiod)tothose employedundertheModernAwardintheSocial and CommunityServices Sector.
Atthetime,budgetallocationwasprovidedtoNTGovernmentagenciesforaffected grantsthattheNTGovernmentwasfullyorpartiallyfundingatthetimeofthe submission. Thiswastomeettheadditionalcostofwagespaidby theNGOresulting fromthedecision, whichwerenotpart ofanoriginal grant agreement.
Sincethen,ifNGOshaveappliedfornewNTGovernmentgrants,theadditional ERO costs shouldbeincludedaspart ofthetotal wages budget intheapplication.
WhereNTGovernmentagencieshavenotincreasedtheamountoffundingtoan NGO,agenciesshouldnotexpectthesamelevelofserviceprovision,asthiswould ineffectequatetoareductioninfunding.Instead,NTGovernmentagenciesshould beengagingwithNGOstoidentifyactualcostsandalternativesolutionsornegotiate reducedserviceprovisionbytheNGO.
NT Governmentwill:
•passonfundingforaffectedgrantsfortheadditionalcostofwagespaidbyan NGO resultingfromtheERO decision
•ensurethatNGOsareawaretheyneedtofactorEROcostsintonewgrant agreements sotherearenosurprisesforeitherparty.
4.4Funding Cycle
Inviewofthetimethatmayberequiredtonegotiateasatisfactoryformof agreement,governmentdepartmentsneedtoinitiatenegotiationswellinadvanceof theexpirationofcurrentagreementstoavoidoneormoreagreementextensions pendingnegotiationofthenewagreement.However,itmustberecognisedthatthe NT Government does not have jurisdiction over funding decisions by the
CommonwealthGovernmentandpassing-onofCommonwealthgrantswillbeinline withCommonwealtharrangements regardingthefunding.
NT Governmentwill:
•completenegotiationsthree monthsprior tothe expiration ofexisting agreementswhereservicesaresolely fundedby theNTGovernmentorfunding fromothersources,includingtheCommonwealthGovernmenthasbeen confirmed.
Where possible, NTGovernmentwill:
•initiatenegotiationssixmonthsinadvanceoftheexpirationofexisting agreements
•alignfundingagreementswiththefinancialyear,unlessanalternative arrangementisnegotiated,particularlyfororganisationswhichoperateona calendaryear.
4.5Payment ofGoodsand ServicesTax (GST)
InlinewiththeAustralianTaxationOfficeRulingGSTR2012/2,GSTisnot automaticallyincludedinpaymentstoorganisationseventhoughtheyhaveanABN andareregisteredforGST
Dependingonthetypeofgrantfunding,GSTmayormaynotbeapplicableandwill beassessedonacasebycasebasis.
4.6Administration costs
Itislegitimateforaserviceprovidertoincludereasonableand relevant administrativecostsintheirbudgettoprovideaservice.Insufficientadministrative resourcestomanageserviceprovisionincreasetheriskthattheprogramwillnot meet its outcomes in an effective and timely manner. Conversely, the NTGovernmentisunlikelytoacceptaproposalwithexcessiveadministrativecosts whichreducefundsavailableforserviceprovision.
Thelevelofadministrativecostswillvaryfromservicetoservicethereforeitisnot appropriatefortheNTGovernmenttosetapercentagebenchmark.However,itis reasonablefortheNTGovernmenttoqueryhowtheadministrativecostshavebeen calculatedaspart of anynegotiation.
5MONITORINGAND REPORTING
Monitoringandreportingispartofthewholeprocessofserviceprovisionandis generallystipulatedaspartofanyprocurementprocessorfundingagreement.The NTGovernmentneedstocollectinformationfrom serviceproviderstoestablish fundsarebeingspentcorrectly(financialreporting)andtoassesstheresultsor performanceof theserviceagainst theplannedoutcomes (performancemonitoring).
Significantissuesconcerningreportingrequirementsincludetheinconsistencyof reportingrequirementsbetweendifferentprogramsandagencies,andthat unnecessaryreportingplacesanundueburdenonserviceproviders.
5.1Financial reporting
AllNTGovernmentfundingneedstobeproperlyaccountedforwithadequate safeguards inplacetoprevent misuse.
ItisreasonablefortheNTGovernmenttoexpectauditedfinancialreportsafterthe AnnualGeneralMeeting(AGM)ofaserviceprovider.Auditedreportsorother evidenceshouldaccountforthefundingprovidedataprogramlevel,ratherthana wholeoforganisationlevel, sothatfundingstreamsareidentifiable.
NT Governmentwill:
•alignthereportingrequirementstotheamountoffundingandthelevelofthe risk associatedwiththefundingagreement.Forexample,theneedforan auditedfinancial statement
•expectfundingstreamstobeidentifiableinaserviceprovider’sauditedreport forthefinancial year
•ensurereporting requirementsareexplicitlydefinedinserviceagreements
•acknowledgethereceiptofreportsandprovidetimelyfeedbacktothe organisationaboutthequalityandcontent ofthereporting
•encouragefinancialreportinginaccordancewiththeNationalStandardChartof Account datadefinitions fornotforprofitorganisations
•report all grantpayments annuallyineachagency’s Annual Report.
5.2Performancemonitoring
Informationshouldnotbeusedjusttoassesstheindividualserviceperformancebut wherepossible,designedtobeaggregatedtohelpidentifyneedandfeedbackinto theplanning/fundingcycle.Anapproachistodistinguishbetweenthedifferent purposesofdatacollection(forexampleresearch,planningorperformance monitoring)andconsiderthemosteffectiveandefficientwayofcollectingforeach purpose.
NT Governmentwill:
•explainandclearlyexpressdatacollectionand reporting information requirements
•ensureinformationgatheringandreportingrequirementsarewelltargeted, proportional totheintended useof theinformationandthe levelof funding
•ensuregoals,targets,andmilestonesarereasonableandagreedtobyall parties tothefundingagreement withintheconstraints ofthescopeofservice
•acknowledgethereceiptofreportsandprovidetimelyfeedbacktothe organisationaboutthequalityandcontent ofthereporting.
Where possible, NTGovernmentwill:
•focusonoutputsandoutcomes ratherthaninputandprocessmeasures
•analyseallreportedinformationwithina reasonable time and provide the analysisofinformationcollectedbacktothereportingorganisationinatimely manner
•movetostandarddatadefinitions,commonoutputspecificationsand performancemeasures forsimilarservices
•regularlyreviewtheeffectiveness of monitoringactivities
•definethepurposeof eachsubstantivepieceofinformationtobegatheredand reportedtoassist tounderstandprogramperformanceandinformperformance improvement.
6EVALUATION
Evaluationisareviewprocessofassessing,onthebasisofevidence,the achievementsofaprogramorservice.Italsoprovidesfeedbackandaguidefor futureplanninginrelationtotheprogramobjectivesandintendedoutcomes. Evaluationcanalsobuildknowledgeandorganisationallearning.Thekeydifference betweenmonitoringaprogramorserviceandevaluationisthatevaluationisabout placingavaluejudgementontheinformationgathered,includingthemonitoring data.
NT Governmentwill:
•usethegatheredinformationnotjusttoassessanindividualserviceproviders performancebut alsoto:
- assess theeffectiveness ofprograms and/orservice models
- aggregatetohelpidentifyneedandfeedbackintotheplanning/funding cycle
•reporttheoutcomes of anevaluationtotheappropriatestakeholders.
Where possible, NTGovernmentwill:
•providetheopportunityforpartiestoafundingagreementtosharelessons learnedandtoprovidefeedback afterthecompletionof anagreement
•build an evaluation framework into the planning and funding of services.
AppendixA
Northern TerritoryGovernmentNon-Government CommunityServices Sector
Statement ofPrinciples
TheNTGovernmentandtheNGOCommunityServicesSectorwillworktogether accordingtotheseprinciplesinordertoprovidequalityandculturallyappropriate services forTerritorians.
1.Achievingthebestoutcomes–theoverridinggoalofgovernmentpoliciesand programs,andtheprimeobjectiveofthoseorganisationsthatimplementthem,is toensurethatservicedeliverymaximisespublicvalueandimprovesthequality oflifeof,andempowers thepeopleandthecommunities whousethem.
2.Partnership–acultureofpartnershipisexpected,betweenandwithin,the NTGovernmentandtheNGOSector.Thecollaborativerelationshipsshouldbe foundedonappreciationoftheconstraintsunderwhichallorganisationsoperate andincludethefollowingvalues:
•Mutual respectand reciprocated trust
•Authenticconsultation and genuinecollaboration
•Recognition ofacommon purpose.
3.Accountability–publicaccountabilityshouldfocusonoutcomeperformance ratherthansimply complyingwithprocess,withanemphasisontheeffectiveuse offundingtoachieveagreedoutcomesandonmeasuringthelonger-termsocial impact ofprogramsandservices.Wherepossible,theburdenofreportingshould beminimisedandstreamlined.
4.Providerdiversity–thediversityofcommunityserviceorganisationsis recognisedasastrengthwiththerangeofprovidersdeliveringagreaterchoice ofprogramseitherindividuallyorinpartnershiptorespondtotheneedsofthe communityindifferentways.
5.Programandservicedesign – policy, program development and service deliveryshouldwork progressivelytowards thefollowing:
•Aholisticapproach–theelementsofmultipledisadvantagearecomplex andsothesupportservicesprovidedshouldbe‘joined-up’and ‘wrapped-around’the individual orfamilyinneed.
•Programflexibility–servicesshould be evidence-based, culturally appropriateandresponsivetothedistinctiveneedsoftheindividual, community grouporregion and tailored to the particular circumstances. Whereevidenceisunavailable,servicesshouldbebasedonarisk assessmentbusinesscasethatallows andencourages innovation.
•Citizenresponsibility–individuals,familiesandcommunitieswhorequire supportshouldbeencouragedandempoweredtotakegreatercontroland responsibility oftheservices theyrequiretoliveafull andindependent life.
•Primarypreventionandearlyintervention–theimmediateneedfor expenditureontertiaryservicesmustbeacknowledged;however,there shouldbealsobeafocusoninvestmentinprimarypreventionandearly intervention.
•Sharedgovernanceandservicedesign–allprovidersofpublicly-funded services(whetherpublicserviceagencies,not-for-profitorganisations,social enterprisesorprivatebusinesses)shouldberegardedas‘co-producers’of governmentservices,jointlycontributingtoservicedesignandsharing responsibilityforprogramdelivery.
•Long-term outcomes–services shouldfocus onthelong-termbenefitsfor theindividual, communitygroupor region