About NCOSS 
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| About NCOSS |
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What is NCOSS?The Council of Social Service of New South Wales (NCOSS) is the peak body for the social and community services sector in New South Wales. Our members range from the smallest community-based services to the largest welfare organisations. They include refuges, charities, church groups, local councils, consumer organisations, hospitals, and aged, disability and child care services. They also include peak support and advocacy groups that represent services at a regional and Statewide level. Here are some examples of NCOSS members:
What does NCOSS do?NCOSS plays a coordination, advocacy, policy development, leadership and information role for the social and community services sector in New South Wales. CoordinationNCOSS convenes sector-wide forums and advocacy groups, including FONGA (the Forum of Non Government Agencies), the Regional Forum, the Aged Care Alliance, the HACC Issues Forum, the Sector Development Forum and the Children's Services Forum. AdvocacyNCOSS represents the interests of disadvantaged people and the community welfare sector to the New South Wales Government. This work includes presenting a major pre-Budget submission to the Government each year and coordinating the sector response to the Budget once handed down. NCOSS staff and Board members are appointed to a range of Ministerial advisory committees, departmental committees and taskforces. Policy DevelopmentNCOSS helps shape the public policy agenda both by responding to government proposals and by initiating projects that take up the concerns of the community sector and consumers. Recently, NCOSS has:
Social PolicySocial policy development of issues in New South Wales is a crucial part of the work undertaken by NCOSS. NCOSS aims to undertake effective policy development; analysis and research on social policy issues and develop policy positions that reflect the views of the community sector and consumers. Our social policy areas include:
NCOSS also maintains a "watching brief" on all major social policy portfolios. For documents and information relating to these policy areas please refer to Resources, Hot Issues and Media Releases. The NCOSS Strategic Plan and NCOSS Sector Development Strategy 2007-10 outlines our priorities. Sector DevelopmentThe Sector Development Unit of NCOSS works to comprehensively support the sector to effectively operationalise its social justice objectives and values. We aim to proactively enable and resource the development of a high quality and effective community sector through industry services, advocacy, research and policy development. The major goals of the Sector Development Unit are to:
LeadershipNCOSS aims to assist the sector respond to the rapidly changing and difficult economic, social and political environment. While NCOSS sets out to work harmoniously with government, there are times when more forthright campaigning is necessary. NCOSS takes responsibility for coordinating and publicising this. NCOSS has also formed effective alliances beyond the community sector involving business, environmental and trade union interests. InformationEvery month NCOSS News informs members of developments in government policy and the sector. We also publish a wide range of publications aimed at assisting and improving community management, project development, service delivery and social policy responses. NCOSS conferences keep the sector informed and provide a forum for discussion and debate. They often attract participation from government ministers and senior departmental staff. A history of involvement, a network of COSSesNCOSS is part of a network of state and territory Councils of Social Service linked to the federal body, ACOSS. NCOSS was the first, established in 1935. NCOSS has a representative on the board of ACOSS. How is NCOSS run?NCOSS is a company limited by guarantee and is managed by a board which meets monthly. The board is elected annually and is broadly representative of the community and social services sector. Day to day operations are in the hands of our director and staff. How is NCOSS financed?About 70% of our income comes from the NSW Government through departments such as Community Services, Health and, Aging and Disability. We generate the balance through membership fees, conferences, publication sales, special project work, and donations. Contact NCOSS
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