Multicultural Services Centre Inc.

STRATEGIC Directions 2013-2017

Contents

Purpose of Centre3

Objects of Centre3

MSCWA’s Vision4

MSCWA’s Purpose4

MSCWA’s Values4

Guiding principles / priorities4

MSCWA’s Strategic Ends5

MSCWA’s operational goals for 2013-175

Strategic directions

The Board supports the broad strategic directions as outlined in this document following focused discussions with carers and planning/discussion sessions with MSCWA board members and staff.)

Purpose of Centre

  • To meet the settlement, welfare, education and training, cultural, legal and related needs of culturally and linguistically diverse Western Australians;
  • To undertake research and community education activities related to their needs; and
  • To establish Foundations/Trusts for this purpose.

Objects of Centre

At the 2010 AGM (28th October) MSCWA updated its objects as follows:

The Objects of the Association shall be:

a)Alleviate poverty within migrant and refugee families through the provision of emergency relief and other available support services and initiatives.

b)Provide appropriate cultural and linguistic services to address the needs of the diverse populace of WA with special emphasis on matters affecting their general settlement, welfare & education, training & employment, legal & health (including mental health).

c)Provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services targeting specific needs of women, elderly, youth and people with disabilities.

d)Build the capacity of new and emerging ethnic groups and empower them to address issues of concern to them.

e)Collaborate and assist ethnic groups whose aims and objects are compatible with those of the Association

f)Promote greater awareness of the needs and concerns of culturally and linguistically diverse Western Australians among all levels of the government and non-government sector and general public.

g)Provide Facilities for cultural activities.

h)Advocate for and promote a united Australia which respects this land of ours, values Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and our multicultural heritage and provides justice and equity for all.

i)Advocate for and promote a racism free society and provide support services for victims of racial discrimination, abuse and harassment.

j)Undertake initiatives to better assist the Association to respond to natural and other disasters and humanitarian causes overseas.

k) And such other Objects as the Association shall consider worthy and appropriate from time to time.

MSCWA’s Vision

An inclusive society that values diversity.

MSCWA’s Purpose

To meet the settlement, welfare, education and training, cultural, legal and related needs of culturally and linguistically diverse Western Australians; and to use its cultural and linguistic service planning and delivery expertise to undertake initiatives to respond to natural and other disasters and humanitarian causes overseas.

MSCWA’s Values

  • Respect for and Acceptance of diversity
  • Accountability
  • Excellence
  • Respect for staff, volunteers and clients
  • Participation
  • Continuous learning and improvement

Guiding principles / priorities

All programs and services at MSCWA will reflect the organisation’s purposes and aims. All staff and Board of Management members will be guided by the values outlined in this section in all aspects of their work at MSCWA. All programs and services at MSCWA will reflect these values in their planning, design and delivery. All staff, Board of Management members and volunteers will work towards achieving the following principles and priorities. Commitments to social justice, good governance, and diversity MUST be paramount in all decision making.

Social justice

  • A commitment to equity - a fairer distribution of economic resources and power.
  • A commitment to access - fair and equal access for all persons to those services that are important to their quality of life and the upholding of their MSCWA rights.
  • A commitment to participation - maximising client’s opportunities to participate in the circumstances and decisions that affect their lives, including MSCWA program planning and implementation.
  • A commitment to rights - developing fairer, more comprehensive rights that can be enforced by all people, regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, income or cultural background. This incorporates civil, political, industrial, social and economic rights.

Diversity, Multiculturalism and Aboriginal Reconciliation

Western Australia's population is remarkably diverse from the perspectives of culture, language, religion and historical tradition, besides our indigenous people who have been here for more than 40,000 years waves of immigration have in the last 200 years resulted in a population that traces its origins to 200 different countries. Collectively, Western Australians speak 170 different languages and practise more than 100 religious faiths. Western Australia continues to have the highest proportion of people born overseas of all States and Territories.

Almost half a million Western Australians, or more than a quarter of the State's population, were born overseas. In recognition of this diversity and to address historic injustices, Governments, commonwealth and state, have adopted the public policies of multiculturalism and Aboriginal reconciliation. MSCWA is committed to these policies and will endeavour to do all it can towards achieving their objectives.

Good governance

  • A respect for the experiences, views, needs and rights of all persons involved in and using MSCWA..
  • A belief in the dignity and worth of each individual.
  • A belief in participation, access to information and collaboration as key ingredients of good decision-making.
  • A commitment to transparent processes of governance.
  • A commitment to fairness and equity across all organisational relationships.

Client choice & self-determination

Staff and volunteers at MSCWA will provide persons using the service with accurate information regarding the extent and nature of the services and MSCWA options available to them and will not knowingly withhold such information. They will also let clients know about their rights as service users and the implications of services available to them.

Preventing unfair practices

Staff, volunteers, Executive Director and Board of Management members will act to prevent practices that are unfair, threatening or discriminatory against any person or group of persons.

Confidentiality & privacy

All persons using or working with MSCWA have the right to confidentiality of their personal information. This right will be recognised and put into practice in all areas of the Centre’s operations.

The Board of Management at MSCWA will respect the confidentiality of information obtained in the course of any meetings. Board of Management members will minimise unnecessary exchange of information about internal agency issues. Board of Management members will not share information about staff members or Board of Management members to networks outside the service.

Professional conduct

All persons working at MSCWA - Board of Management members, staff and volunteers - have a shared responsibility for maintaining a harmonious, professional and supportive working environment.

The professional attitude and behaviour of individuals and of the team are crucial to MSCWA’s reputation and quality of service, and to the goodwill and confidence that funding bodies and other organisations have in MSCWA.

Summary of Achievements vis a vis Strategic Directions for the period ending 2012

  • Exceeding performance targets consistently across all programs.
  • Helping people with complex needs living in an unfamiliar social environment
  • Provision of a Day Centre for the South Asian Community
  • Establishment of the Family Relationship Centre for Perth City as part of the Perth Relationship Services Consortium comprising Relationships Australia (WA), UnitingCare West, Perth, Hills Division of General Practice Limitedand MSCWA. This is the first collaboration of its kind in Western Australia and possibly Australia heralding a new era in “socially inclusive” service provision.
  • Establishment of the Western Australian Institute of Learning and Development (WAILD)

as a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) was approved in March 2009.

  • Becoming a member of DEEWR’sIndigenous Employment and Business Development panels.
  • Opening of Bunbury Office to provided settlement grant program services to refugees and migrants who choose to settle in the Bunbury Region
  • Successful bid and implementation of the NESB Measure up which led to the creation of the Centre’s Multicultural Health Services Program
  • Successful bid to become the Accommodation services provider for Humanitarian Settlement Strategy (HSS) Service Provision from April 2010
  • Live Smart Program-MSCWA is the first and only multicultural service provider to be approved by the Disability Services Commission to provide disability accommodation support services.
  • Expansion of service Metropolitan service outlets-Offices were opened in Morley and Mirrabooka.
  • Suicide Prevention-Obtaining funding from the WA State government’s One Life Suicide Prevention Program and commenced implementation of Western Australia’s and possibly Australia's most comprehensive Suicide Prevention Program for migrants and refugees.
  • Establishment of the Media Services Program -Social Messaging is an important part of what this program is designed to deliver. The first production Interpreting is no Laughing Matter highlights the importance of using professional interpreters with strategic use of humour to illustrate the dire consequences of not using one.

MSCWA’s Strategic Ends

(i)Financial stability and viability.

(ii)Relevant and responsive services.

(iii)Accountable, effective and efficient agency operations.

(iv)Effective communication and influence.

MSCWA’s Strategic Directions for 2013-17

It is pertinent to note that MSCWA’s funded and fee for service programs are subject to KPIs and Quality assurance monitoring and reviews tied to funding contracts/Deeds of Agreement. The following are therefore broad goals which in most cases are not program specific.

  • Ensure effective Involvement of consumers and carers in service delivery.
  • Continue to increase and diversify income base.
  • Provide high quality, client focused programs in the areas of accommodation, counselling, advocacy, advice and information, employment and training, culture and the arts and aged careand disability.
  • Undertake relevant research and participate in research initiatives of other agencies to identify and address needs of new and emerging communities and established communities facing the challenges of ageing.
  • Explore how best multicultural meals and on wheels needs of the community can be met.
  • Ensure services for seniors and people with disabilities are provided in purpose built or appropriately designed buildings.
  • Establish relevant services for youth
  • Promote Human Rights and influence policies that shape the lives of clients.
  • Undertake initiatives to respond to natural and other disasters and humanitarian causes overseas.
  • Continue to expand its Suicide Prevention and support services
  • Expand its Disability Services to include alternatives to employment, recreation
  • Expand services in Bunbury and the South West building on SGP services and extension of such services in other regional areas.
  • Meet information needs of consumers and carers effectively including use of emails, ethnic radio and SBS and periodic newsletters with relevant information.
  • Provide safe and secure environment for staff and clients.
  • Explore how best problem gambling and drug and alcohol related counselling and support needs of the community can be met.
  • Expand the physical and mental health promotion services.

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