Delivering Community Services in Partnership Policy
The Delivering Community Services in Partnership (DCSP) Policy has been jointly developed by the public and not-for-profit sectors to build and support a more mature funding and contracting relationship between the sectors by:
rebalancing the nature of the relationship between the public and not-for-profit sectors;
focusing on the achievement of outcomes and improving services and support for vulnerable and disadvantaged Western Australians;
acknowledging the importance of partnering with the not-for-profit sector in the planning, design and delivery of human services;
reducing the administrative burden imposed on not-for-profit organisations engaged to deliver services; and
ensuring services are funded and procured in a sustainable manner.
The DCSP Policy replaces the Funding and Purchasing Community Services Policy (2002) and is effective from 1 July 2011. The Policy has been endorsed by Cabinet and applies to all Public Authorities that provide funding for, or purchase community services from, not-for-profit organisations.
Adoption of procurement practices that are consistent with the DCSP Policy have been mandated by Government through a Premier’s Circular.
The Funding and Contracting Services (FaCS) unit provides guidance and support to both the public and not-for-profit sectors on the implementation of the DCSP Policy and the associated funding and contracting reforms.
Non-Government Human Services Sector Indexation Policy
A key aspect of the DCSP Policy, and the ongoing contracting reforms, is the mandated application of the Non-Government Human Services Sector (NGHSS) Indexation Policy for service agreements with not-for-profit organisations.
Indexation contributes to maintaining stability within the not-for-profit sector, while at the same time enhancing the rationality in funding decisions, continuity of service provision, autonomy and capacity. Certainty in growth funding provides a sound basis for professional decision-making and management of services.
A copy of the NGHSS Indexation Policy can be downloaded here.