PeakCare Queensland’s Post

Today is National Close the Gap Day 2024, an opportunity to reaffirm commitment to establishing equity in life outcomes through reconciliation and empowerment for First Nations peoples. Underpinning empowerment is choice - in how our lives are governed and how we feel about our own agency. The Productivity Commission's recent Closing the Gap Review found that while First Nations voices continue to highlight the importance of community control in identifying causes, addressing needs, and implementing local solutions, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges and community-controlled organisations were "disregarded" by government. As part of meaningful action towards this change, sector leaders will recently have been invited by PeakCare Queensland to participate in a new research project exploring how to best work collaboratively to support Queensland children, young people, families and communities. Families Australia has been commissioned by the Department of Social Services to lead a research project, Changing the Balance, which explores the potential impact on mainstream non-government organisations when future proportionate investment in child and family services shifts to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs). This project complements a larger piece of work on the Child and Family Investment strategy which is being led by SNAICC - National Voice for our Children and partners, which is due to be delivered by June 2024. To inform this important research project, Families Australia with the support of PeakCare will be facilitating both in-person and online consultation activities for Queensland-based providers. The focus of these consultation activities will be to ask and explore how we best work collaboratively, understand the impacts of funding shifts, and explore how we build and maintain capacity together to support all children, young people, families and communities in Queensland. To find out more, contact PeakCare at office@peakcare.org.au Visit www.closethegap.org.au to learn more about Closing the Gap Visit https://lnkd.in/geRqScXv for more information on current Families Australia initiatives . . . #ClosingtheGap #queensland #childprotection #sector #policy #ACCOs #investment #strategy #communities #empowerment #solutions #evidence #ClosetheGap

The Changing the Balance sector consultation survey closes soon! Don't miss out on sharing your organisation's perspective on proportional investment shifts in child and family services. Take the survey 👉 https://lnkd.in/gCzmpSYg Changing the Balance seeks to better understand the potential changes and impacts on non-Indigenous NGOs as sector funding profiles change to accommodate a shift in proportionate investment for child and family support services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) In addition to the series of sector consultation sessions that have been held over March and April, an online survey has been open across April to capture the views and perspective of as many organisations from across the country as possible. Additional information of the Changing the Balance project can be obtained from the Families Australia website - https://lnkd.in/gtAYSfuJ Families Australia and PeakCare want to hear from services about the potential impacts on the non-Indigenous NGO sector including: * organisational and / or operational challenges that may be encountered as funding profiles change, * information, resources, and initiatives to assist the sector to prepare for, and work through the transition, and * suggestions to ensure service continuity to families, children and young people during a time of change and beyond This survey seeks to capture the perspective of managers, senior managers and executive staff (including board members) of non-Indigenous non-government organisations who are receiving Commonwealth Department of Social Services funding for child and family services. The survey will take no more than 20 minutes to complete. The survey closes Friday 3 May 2024. Take the survey 👉 https://lnkd.in/gCzmpSYg . . . . . #child #family #services #national #sector #consultation #survey #investment #funding #strategy #policy #queensland #government #ACCOs #changing #balance #communities #yoursay

🏠 Millie York at THIIS Magazine reports on The Scottish Government announcing that more than £9 million is being made available over the next three years to give people who access social care more choice and control over decisions relating to their care.   🗣️ Inspiring Scotland Chief Executive Celia Tennant FRSA said: “We are pleased to be working with the Scottish Government on Support in the Right Direction. This vital funding commitment will help bring stability to organisations over the next three years and strengthen the network across Scotland of providers of independent advice and advocacy with self-directed support.”   💰 This funding adds to a further £2 billion allocated for social care and integration in the Scottish Budget for 2024-25. It fulfils the Scottish Government’s promise to boost spending by 25 per cent during this Parliament, achieving this goal two years earlier than initially planned. #adultsocialcare #carefunding #homecare https://lnkd.in/eSjBPfjX

🌍 #Ireland’s Social Services: A Path Toward Better Support for All Ireland is making strides in social services, but there’s room for improvement! Here’s a snapshot of where we are and what’s next: 📢 Key Recommendation To meet international standards set by the Istanbul Convention, Ireland urgently needs to build 500+ more refuge spaces. Domestic violence is on the rise, and current resources are simply not enough to provide safety for women and children who need it most. 📊 Social Services Snapshot €74.3B invested in social protection (2023). 5,243 social workers & 18,000 home care workers. 32,695 homes built in 2023. 🏡 Long-Term Care & Housing By 2051, Ireland's older population will double, requiring 45,000+ more nursing home beds. 58,824 households are on waiting lists for social housing, highlighting a need for more affordable homes. 💚 Women's Support Currently, only 141 refuge places are available for families fleeing domestic abuse, underscoring the urgent need for expanded support services. This analysis is part of the 2024 #SocialServices Index, a comparative study of social services legislation, investment, and coverage across European countries. Learn more about Ireland’s social services here: https://buff.ly/4ilPb7F

🔍 Upcoming Social Housing Events in Wales – October 2024 Wales' social housing sector has a series of key events lined up in October. Whether you're in finance, governance, or committed to equality and inclusion, there's something for everyone: 1️⃣ CHC Finance Conference – Oct 3-4: Financial management insights for housing associations at Metropole Hotel, Llandrindod Wells. 2️⃣ Tai Pawb – Supporting Older People – Oct 3: Focusing on housing equality for the elderly. 3️⃣ CIH Cymru – Addressing Health Inequalities – Oct 3: Tackling health disparities in supported housing. 4️⃣ CHC Governance Meetup – Oct 9: Cardiff-based event covering compliance and governance. 5️⃣ CIH Cymru – Building Better Boards – Oct 10: Webinar on enhancing board governance. 6️⃣ Tai Pawb – Hate Crime Seminar – Oct 15: Promoting inclusivity and tackling hate crimes in housing. 🎟 For more details, visit CHC, Tai Pawb, or CIH Cymru websites. Don’t miss these valuable opportunities to learn and network! #SocialHousing #HousingWales #Governance #Equality #Finance

📢 UK's social care system is broken. Gross Total Expenditure on adult social care increased by 26% between 2018-19 and 2022-23 from £18.9bn to £23.8bn. Local authorities are spending an increasing proportion of a reduced funding envelope on services with rising demand. This is an unsustainable position. Councils now more than ever need innovative solutions to make their social care services resilient and ready for future challenges. ❓ The question is how can the public finance profession support the delivery of good practice in demand management?   📅 Discover some of the best practices with CIPFA on 28 June, from 12.00 - 13.00, for the launch event of our upcoming report- Managing rising demand in adult and children’s social care.   CIPFA Social Care Policy Advisor William Burns will delve deeper into these insights and explore solutions for the future of social care.   Booking details can be found here- https://lnkd.in/g7tYyy2D   #SocialCare #CIPFA #AdultSocialCare #ChildrensSocialCare #ReportLaunch #Report #ThoughtLeadership #PublicSector #PublicFinance

The Scottish Campaign on the Right to Social Security is a coalition of organisations, including CAS. It seeks to advance a social security system that supports everyone to thrive not merely survive. The coalition is calling for the following principles to underpin the 2025/26 Scottish budget: 👉 Make respect for human rights and dignity the cornerstone of Scottish social security. 👉 Increase social security payment rates to a level where no one is left in poverty, and all have sufficient income to lead a dignified life. 👉 Financial security for women who experience domestic abuse. 👉 Invest in independent advocacy and advice to help secure people’s right to social security. 👉 Make crisis social security support work for Scotland. Read the coalition's budget briefing to find out more https://lnkd.in/eCr4ktEZ

UK Budget 2024: What’s in Store for Social Care? The recent UK budget brings a significant boost for social care, with £600 million in additional funding for councils in 2025-26 as part of a larger £1.3 billion grant. While this is encouraging news, it’s important to recognize the complexities that come with it. Key impacts include: Funding Increases: New resources for councils aim to address the strain on social care services, but rising costs (e.g., increased national living wage and employer tax contributions) may limit how far these funds can stretch. Support for Vulnerable Populations: £86 million is allocated for disabled facilities grants, enabling 7,800 home adaptations, and £233 million for homelessness prevention—a crucial step toward supporting individuals with disabilities and reducing housing insecurity. Enhanced Carer Support: The earnings threshold for unpaid carers receiving carer’s allowance has increased, potentially benefiting an additional 60,000 carers. However, challenges remain. As wage and operational costs continue to rise, this funding may largely cover existing needs rather than enable significant expansion in services. For providers and service users, managing expectations and preparing for the upcoming tax and cost changes will be crucial. 👉 Read my full analysis below on the budget’s social care impacts and what stakeholders need to know in 2024 and beyond. #SocialCare #UKBudget2024 #HealthcareFunding #SupportForCarers #DisabilitySupport #HomelessnessPrevention #SocialImpact #HealthcareNavigation

Department of Social Development - Strengthening Families and Expanding Social Grants At the heart of the work the Department of Social Development (DSD) will undertake this financial year is to strengthen vulnerable families and expand social assistance programs to millions of South Africans. Minister of Social Development Sisisi Tolashe presented her department’s priorities during a budget vote speech, focusing on reigniting the role of families in society, expanding social grants, and navigating a constrained fiscal environment. The DSD’s total budget for the 2024/25 financial year stands at R275 billion, of which a staggering R266 billion will be allocated to the payment of 28 million social grants. This includes the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, which supports nine million eligible beneficiaries. The SRD grant has been extended until 2025, giving the department the necessary time to finalise its long-term plans for a basic income grant. Read the full article from the latest edition here: https://hubs.la/Q02W7XtN0 #SocialDevelopmentMonth #Family #Government #PublicSectorLeaders #Publication #TopcoMedia

🌟 News for Community Sector Organisations🌟 At Baptist Care Australia, we're proud to be one of the 27 Community Services Advisory Group (CSAG) members that advise the Federal Government on policies to support our vital work with communities. This morning's announcement from the Albanese Government is a testament to the positive outcomes of our meetings. Highlights: ✔ CSAG will be collaborating with the government to develop a Community Sector Partnership Framework. This framework promises to drive positive change across government agencies, ensuring that grants are tailored better to serve the sustainability of community sector organisations like ours. ✔ The new mandate for agencies to pass on indexation to grant recipients is a welcome move that addresses past disparities and provides greater clarity for organisations about impacts on grant funding.  ✔The ongoing review by the Department of Finance, also mentioned in today's release, underscores the government's dedication to strengthening our sector through longer-term grant agreements. ✔We are also excited to work towards more secure jobs in the community sector through sector-specific consultation on the Government’s Secure Australian Jobs Code. This morning's media release highlights the tangible outcomes of our collaboration with the government to date. It's heartening to see our discussions and recommendations reflected in today's media release. We're proud to be part of these positive developments and look forward to continuing our efforts to support Australians in need. Let's keep up the momentum to improve community services together! #CommunitySector #CSAG #BaptistCareAustralia #SocialServicesAustralia #AustralianFederalBudget #auspol