Update: Upcoming workshops November 2019 – May 2020
1. Workshops to determine and agree on variations to existing contracts.
Variations to current OOHC contracts will take the first steps towards achieving some of the OOHC reform principles and will aim to address some of the immediate and pressing issues impacting OOHC services.
Workshops will be held on 13 November and 4 December 2019. Current OOHC service providers and Communities staff have been invited to participate in these workshops.
2. Service model co-design workshops – stage 1
The IRG will assist Communities to facilitate co-design workshops to further develop the OOHC service models. These workshops will seek to:
- clarify the principles framing Western Australia’s approach to the care and protection of children;
- articulate the conceptual framework for service design within which OOHC is situated;
- specify measurable outcomes for children and families; and
- conceptualise how the service model will best achieve these outcomes.
Workshops will commence December 2019. Community service organisations interested in future tendering opportunities and selected Communities staff will be invited to participate in these workshops.
3. Service model co-design workshops – stage 2
A second stage of workshop facilitation between the IRG and Communities will take place to further refine the OOHC service models. These workshops will seek to:
- Integrate the various Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) strategies and Guidelines for Delivering Culturally Safe Care with the service models.
- Work with current and potential service providers to identify and act upon existing opportunities for reform.
- Where possible, trial flexible coordination arrangements to reduce the number of Aboriginal children coming into care, increase family reunification outcomes, and build the capacity of ACCOs to provide OOHC services.
- Obtain the views of young people (particularly Aboriginal young people) with lived experience on the desired outcomes and likely challenges of the proposed service model.
- Continue analysis of costings to develop an agreed and sustainable pricing model while ensuring timely application of the Needs Assessment Tool and approval arrangements within the Care Team Approach.
- Ensure that service models consider and account for workforce costs, award wages and occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements.
- Integrate the:
- Recommendations of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse;
- Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability recommendations;
- National standards for OOHC and the Better Care Better Service standards for children in OOHC;
- 2012 Equal Remuneration Order implications; and
- Building a Better Future: Out of Home Care Standards in Western Australia 2016.
Activities will take place between March and May 2020. Community service organisations interested in future tendering opportunities and selected Communities staff will be invited to participate in these activities.
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