The Department for Families and Communities partners with other government departments, the community sector and private industry to provide a variety of services to the South Australian community. We have many programs that offer opportunities for individuals and organisations to work with us. We also offer grant funding opportunities for specific activities that contribute to the well-being of individuals, families and communities. For more information on these programs please visit the community development section of this website.
Stronger Together
In 2004 a formal partnership called the Common Ground Agreement was established between the Health and Community Services Sector, the Department of Health and the Department for Families and Communities. The agreement committed the parties to working together collaboratively and interdependently to improve the health and wellbeing of all South Australians. The partnership was designed as a means to pool resources and to identify issues, resolve problems and develop new approaches to achieve mutually agreed goals.
The aims of Common Ground were to:
- collaborate on matters of mutual interest.
- lead improvements in policy development, governance, consumer participation in service planning, delivery and management.
- engage in public debate about policy, service delivery and governance
In 2008 a review of the Common Ground Agreement was undertaken to examine the outcomes over the past four years, and identify ways to move forward. The review resulted in the development of the Stronger Together Agreement, a reinvigorated approach to building on and strengthening the partnerships.
Stronger Together was signed in 2009 by the The Minister for Minister for Health, John Hill, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Jane Lomax - Smith and Minister for Families and Communities, Jennifer Rankine and the Chair, South Australian Council of Social Services, Simon Schrapel.
More about the Stronger Together Agreement.
Our partners
SA Health and Department for Families and Communities are responsible, within the policies set by the Government and their Ministers, for the administration and operations of public health services, hospitals, housing, community services, disability services and services for the ageing. They are responsible for the allocation and expenditure of funds appropriated by Parliament, and also advise their Ministers, and through them the Government, on policy and planning. Community organisations are responsible to their boards, members, consumer and community groups, and the general community for developing policies and programs that benefit South Australians. Community organisations vary from small locally based entities to large statewide organisations. They deliver a wide range of services to many different geographical, cultural and other population and consumer groups. Such organisations often have stronger links with consumer groups than the government departments, and thus are able to draw on the voluntary contribution of community members and experts.
Shared principles
SA Health, the Department for Families and Communities and the Health and Community Sector agree that:
- The Departments and the Health and Community Sector are committed to involving consumers and the community in policy development, service planning and governance. They acknowledge that certain population groups, particularly Indigenous people, have special needs and may require specific decision-making and consultation strategies.
- They value integrity, transparency, accountability, honesty and leadership.
- An independent, diverse and vigorous Health and Community Sector is essential to the wellbeing of society and democracy and therefore the Community Sector must represent the interests of South Australians through lobbying and where appropriate, responsibly and impartially commenting on the actions of the Government, Ministers and the Departments.
- The Health and Community Sector makes a major contribution to the health and wellbeing of South Australians through its expertise in policy and planning, financial, in-kind and voluntary workforce, service delivery and its broad networks of concern and expertise.
- They will maximise opportunities for collaboration and participation consistent with their accountabilities to their separate stakeholders. This includes a commitment to consulting in a manner that respects the different decision-making structures, processes and cultures of the Government and the Community Sector.
- The Departments are required to ensure the accountability for the use of public funds consistent with the objectives of Government.
- The Departments and the Community Sector are committed to equality of opportunity for all people regardless of race, culture, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation or religion.
The Memorandum of Understanding with Mental Health Services to enable tenants with Mental Health issues to be supported in their tenancy;
Human Services Peaks Forum
The Human Services Peaks Forum, which is made up of Senior Executives from the Departments of Health and Families and Communities, and Senior Representatives of the Peak Bodies, will oversee the ‘Stronger Together’ partnership. The Human Services Peaks Forum will;
- provide a forum for open discussion of issues of concern to either or both of the parties
- take initiatives that are designed to resolve key problems and achieve common objectives
- establish funding frameworks, consultation protocols, dispute resolution mechanisms and other mechanisms and policies to ensure the partnership works effectively
- monitor the implementation of all aspects of the partnership and provide reports to their respective stakeholders and managements
SAPOL and DFC Memorandum of Understanding
A collaborative and integrated partnership has been formed between South Australian Police (SAPOL) and Housing SA, aimed at addressing the issues of social disorder and crime within social housing.