Updated 22 November 2012
On 10 July 2012, the Minister for Family & Community Services, Pru Goward, launched the consultation process for Going Home Staying Home, the NSW Government's reform agenda for specialist homelessness services.

Following the community consultations and written submissions on the discussion paper, there have been a number of meetings of the Sector Reference Group (SRG) and the Expert Advisory Panel and a number of working groups are in the process of being established.

Communiqués have been released from the August and September SRG have been released:

• Download: SRG meeting summary 10th August
• Download: SRG meeting summary 14th September
• Download: SRG meeting summary 12th October

The Consultation Summary Report, which collates feedback from the consultations and written submissions has been released.

• Download:  Consultation Summary Report, October 2012

The next stage in the process is expected to be the release of a Reform Roadmap by Minister Goward.

Keep updated with progress of the Going Home Staying Home Reforms on the Going Home, Staying Home website.

The 75th Annual General Meeting of the Council of Social Service of New South Wales (NCOSS) was held at 5pm on Monday 19th of November 2012 at the NSW Teachers Federation Conference Centre, 37 Reservoir St Surry Hills NSW 2010.

Presentation of Annual Report 2011-2012
The meeting accepted the 2011-12 NCOSS Annual Report.

Download: 2011-12 Annual Report

Treasurer’s Report
The meeting accepted the Treasurer’s report and the audited financial reports for 2011/2012. A copy of these reports may be found in the 2011-12 Annual report.

Download: 2011-12 Annual Report  

Election of Board Members/Declaration of Poll
At the meeting, the Returning officer Lesley Garton reported that the following people had been elected unopposed to the NCOSS Board:

Name	Position
Eileen Baldry	President
Mary Perkins	Vice President
Matthew Bowden	Ordinary Director
Tony Davies	Ordinary Director
Elizabeth Priestley	Ordinary Director

The following positions received no nominations and shall be appointed by means of an ordinary resolution by the Board, post the Annual General Meeting:

• Director (one position)

The following people will have their terms expire at the 2013 Annual General Meeting and remain in their Board positions until then.

Name	Position
Denele Crozier	Treasurer
Vacant	Vice President
Karen Bevan	Ordinary Director
Laurel Draffen	Ordinary Director
Sarah Fogg	Ordinary Director
Vacant	Director

Appointment of Auditors
The meeting accepted Haywards Accounting as the auditors of the Council of Social Service of New South Wales

Special Resolutions
The meeting accepted that Article 25 of the Memorandum and Articles of Association be amended.

Download: Revised NCOSS Memorandum and Articles of Association

Eileen Baldry
NCOSS President

Incorporation: An explanation of the Incorporation Act 2009, 7th Edition
This 60 page handbook written by Graham Wheeler was published by NCOSS in 2012. It is most relevant to new community groups, to Incorporated Associations and to anyone offering them information on their obligations.
The printed version is in English and can be purchased.

The CD ROM is free and available in English, Arabic or Chinese.

• Download: Flyer CD in English
• Download: Flyer CD in Arabic
• Download: Flyer CD in Chinese
• Download: Flyer Book in English

• View online: NCOSS Publications

NCOSS welcomes the agreement by the Commonwealth, States and Territories to enter into negotiations on a new COAG National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness (NPAH) and to develop a one year transition agreement for 2013-14 while the new long term agreement is negotiated.

The agreement was reached at the Select Council on Homelessness and Housing meeting in Brisbane on 16 November and follows strong calls from the sector for action to prevent a funding cliff when the current NPAH runs out in June next year. There remain, however, many issues that need to be resolved, including:

• the level of funding for both the transitional and subsequent agreement;
• the terms of both agreements;
• the duration of the subsequent agreement; and
• planning and reporting arrangements.

It is understood that the agreement by the States and Territories is also subject to approval by their respective cabinets.

NCOSS will endeavour to keep the sector updated on the matter.

The nation's peak Councils of Social Service (COSSes) have called for a clear Federal Government announcement on future funding for chronically under-funded homelessness services in Australia during a national meeting in Perth held on 30 October 2012.

Download:  Joint COSS Media Statement

The Public Interest Law Clearing House (PILCH) and the Council of Social Service of NSW (NCOSS) present a half-day Good Governance Seminar:

      Good Governance for Incorporated Associations in NSW Seminar

      Wednesday 21 November 2012

      9:30 am – 12: 20 pm Sydney CBD.

Katrina Ironside, Principal Solicitor, PILCH, will present on:

• The new Act – what has changed?
• What does your organisation need to do?

Amanda Smithers, Senior Project Officer, Sector Development Management Support Unit, NCOSS, will present on:

• Recruitment & Induction
• Roles & Responsibilities of Board of Management

The flyer contains information and links to online registration and payment. Places are limited and registration closes on 14 Nov 2012.

• Download: Flyer

By Rhiannon Cook
In September the NSW Government released its much anticipated draft Long Term Transport Master Plan. Reactions to the plan have been diverse, ranging from criticism of the lack of detailed commitments and condemnation of the plan’s failure to prioritise public transport, to approval of an approach that focuses on integration between modes, and between transport and land-use planning.

From the perspective of NCOSS, it is encouraging that for perhaps the first time in NSW history the plan identifies reducing social disadvantage as one of eight objectives for our transport system. But more work is needed to develop the data collection processes, information systems and consultation mechanisms needed to ensure this objective truly informs transport planning and decision-making processes at every level.

The Minister for Citizenship and Communities commissioned The Centre for Volunteering to lead discussion in NSW on improving recognition of the rights of volunteers. The consultation process will inform recommendations on improving the recognition of the rights of volunteers by agreeing on simple, effective and achievable principles to enshrine these expectations.

Consultation sessions will be held throughout NSW to 14 November, or ideas can be offered online at the Have Your Say website.

• View online: Invitation

                        Improving Recognition of the Rights of Volunteers in NSW: a Discussion Paper

                        Have your say

“We must resist the imposition by stealth of new social contracts that reduce civil society to low cost contractors providing public services rather than our roles as advocates for the excluded, incubators of policy innovations, watchdogs of the exercise of power and shapers of political will.”
Ingrid Srinath, Secretary General, World Alliance for Citizen Participation

By Alison Peters
NCOSS believes our society will be better if it is fairer. We believe in social justice and advocate for policies, programs and measures that are targeted to:

• fair distribution of, or access to, resources (including the quality of such resources);
• recognition and respect of diversity; and
• participation by and representation of everyone in all aspects of life.

NCOSS supports a strong, dynamic and effective non-government community sector because of its capacity to address disadvantage and improve social justice outcomes The sector is able to do this because it:

• can take the long term view and is there for the long haul;
• works within communities to build relationships and trust that are necessary to support people;
• works collaboratively to support the particular needs of individuals or communities; and
• is independent of governments and partisan interests.

The sector has these capabilities not because it is funded by government but because it is the sector. These capabilities work for governments and are complementary to the work of government. Together better outcomes are achieved.

By Amanda Smithers
There has been a lot of discussion in the sector about the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) and the Not-for-Profit Reform agenda generally. Most people are aware that legislation will hopefully be passed during October enabling the ACNC to open its doors soon. They appreciate that the Commission, once it’s up and running, will probably impact on their organisation one way or another - they are just not sure how.

The reality is that, at the time of writing, nothing is set in concrete and won’t be until the legislation is enacted. However, unless there are some substantial and quite unexpected changes in the legislation or it does not get passed at all, the information coming from the ACNC Taskforce is very consistent and easily understood. Assuming all is well and the legislation is passed, what do you need to know, what do you need to do?

The Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) has commissioned the third instalment of its research into people’s experiences of being disconnected from electricity, gas and water in NSW. Cut Off III will examine the ways people become disconnected, the social impact of this disconnection, and how people manage to reconnect to utilities. Over 18,000 homes were disconnected from electricity in 2010/11. This trend is expected to continue following a recent 18% increase in electricity prices.

PIAC has commissioned an independent research company, Urbis, to collect data for the study.

On 1 October 2012, major utility providers will distribute 4800 surveys to customers who were disconnected from utilities, or who had restricted access to utilities, during July, August and September 2012. PIAC has also partnered with several community organisations to distribute the survey to 400 clients. These organisations will also provide referrals for potential interviewees, who will be asked in more detail about the impacts and issues surrounding their disconnection.

Clients who receive the survey are encouraged to complete and return the survey by 5 November 2012. The research report will be published early in 2013.

Although utility providers are assisting with survey distribution, the study is independent from these energy and water companies. PIAC will use the research findings to advocate for better assistance for people who are struggling to remain connected to essential services. PIAC is an independent, non-profit law and policy organisation working to maintain access to and affordability of utilities for NSW households. Cut Off I and II are available on the PIAC website: www.piac.asn.au

The Federal Government is to ignore a first ever recommendation by its own Parliamentary Human Rights Committee, placing single mothers and their children into greater poverty.

The NSW Health Family Referral Services (FRS) Tender HAC 12/63 has been released today.   This procurement process will complete the State-wide rollout of FRS to four remaining regions:

• Riverina Murray (covering LGAs of Albury, Balranald, Berrigan, Bland, Carrathool, Conargo, Coolamon, Cootamundra, Cowra Shire, Deniliquin, Greater Hume Shire, Griffith, Gundagai, Hay, Jerilderie, Junee, Leeton, Lockhart, Murray, Murrumbidgee, Narrandera, Temora, Tumbarumba, Tumut Shire, Urana, Wagga Wagga, Wakool, and Wentworth.
• Southern NSW (covering LGAs of Bega Valley, Bombala, Boorowa, Cooma-Monaro, Eurobodalla, Goulburn Mulwaree, Harden, Oberon, Palerang, Queanbeyan, Snowy River, Upper Lachlan, Weddin, Yass Valley and Young).
• Northern Sydney (covering LGAs of Hornsby, Hunters Hill, Ku-ring-gai, Lane Cove, Manly, Mosman, North Sydney, Pittwater, Ryde, Warringah and Willoughby).
• South Eastern Sydney (covering LGAs of Ashfield, Botany Bay, Burwood, Canada Bay, Canterbury, Hurstville, Kogarah, Leichardt, Marrickville, Randwick, Rockdale, Strathfield, Sutherland Shire, Sydney, Waverly and Woollahra and with a specific focus on culturally and linguistically diverse communities).

The RFT indicates that tender applicants may elect to operate the South Eastern Sydney FRS and Northern Sydney FRS as one service. The four services are expected to commence operations in early 2013.

Key dates:

• An optional industry briefing for organisations who may want to tender will be held in North Sydney on Thursday, 11 October 2012.
• The tender will close at 10.00am on Tuesday, 6 November 2012. 

Inquiries:

• Cathy Peters, Acting Manager, Child Protection and Wellbeing Team, Ministry of Health on This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 02 9391 9693.

By Rashmi Kumar
Some 1,000 professionals working in aged care gathered in Adelaide on 6-7 August to discuss the national aged care reforms announced by federal Minister for Ageing Mark Butler in April this year. The sector was invited to the National Aged Care Conference with little notice, creating considerable expectation of further announcements about the aged care reform process.

The reform package announced in April left much to be decided. For 2012-13 alone the following initiatives will be completed or significantly progressed:

• new categories of aged care package;
• a My Aged Care website including new quality indicators;
• LGBTI and cultural and linguistic diversity strategies; and
• a number of r eviews in the HACC (Home and Community Care) get underway.

So far, membership of the Aged Care Financing Authority and the Aged Care Reform Implementation Council has been announced, and initial meetings have only taken place in the last month. These bodies clearly have considerable work ahead of them.

By Amanda Smithers
The NCOSS Management Support Unit develops a series of information sheets on various aspects of community services management. While researching material for an information sheet on fraud, an interesting series of surveys came to light.

They are by BDO, an Australian accounting and advisory firm based in Queensland. They have been conducting biennial surveys since 2006 and have collected a large base of comparable data enabling them to provide a picture of the Australian and New Zealand NFP sector’s general experience, their awareness of fraud risks, how it occurs and how it is managed.

Fraud in the Not-for-Profit Sector in 2012
The BDO Not-For-Profit Fraud Survey 2012 report looks at the current two year period and compares the data with previous years, so it is able to identify both long term and newly emerging trends. The survey asked questions about the impact fraud could have on an organisation’s reputation and future funding and what lead to it occurring.

Responses from the 645 organisations suggest that while fraud is recognised as a problem for the sector, the majority did not see it as an issue for their own organisation. Since only 12% of the respondents had experienced fraud in the last two years, this is probably reasonable. However it does not mean that they do not need strategies in place to protect them, a fact recognised by most organisations.