The Department of Communities (Communities) is committed to delivering better outcomes for children, young people, families and communities in Western Australia.
Western Australia’s State Commissioning Strategy for community services has been released to ensure greater cohesion between Government, service providers, peak bodies and consumer advocates. The aim is to ensure services are grounded by the following principles:
- A community and person-centred approach focused on outcomes.
- A sustainable system.
- Inclusive services - focus on Aboriginal outcomes and partnerships.
- Well-led, supported and transparent system.
Communities is embedding a commissioning approach for delivery of services to the community across all of its service delivery areas.
Our initial focus has been on the following four priority areas:
- Out of Home Care
- Family and Domestic Violence
- Homelessness
- Child Sexual Abuse Therapeutic Services
- Commissioning of Earlier Intervention and Family Support Programs 2024-25
Further consideration is now being given to how this approach can be applied to other service delivery areas in future procurement cycles.
The second iteration of Communities Commissioning Plan is underway, with a focus on planning the commission pathways for service agreements expiring by December 2025. Program areas within this cohort include, but are not limited to, Early Intervention and Family Support, Family Care Support Services, Services for Young People at Risk and Secondary Family Support Services.
Given the large quantity and scope of service agreements provided and managed by Communities, it is important to stagger the expiry dates and the commissioning work. This ensures appropriate resourcing, both internally and externally, is available to undertake the significant work required.
Resources
- Homeless Service System Alignment Analysis and Road Map
- Building a Better Future - OOHC Reform Program Roadmap 2019-2023
- Path to Safety: Western Australia’s Strategy to Reduce Family and Domestic Violence 2020-2030
- All Paths Lead to a Home: Western Australia's 10-Year Strategy on Homelessness 2020-2030
- 2020 Progress Report - Safer WA for Children and Young People
Further information
If you have any questions, or would like to receive updates on the project please email commissioning@communities.wa.gov.au.
