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15 August 2018
WACOSS Sector eNews

 

Update on the Independent Advocacy Mechanism for Children in Care

Hand hold
WACOSS has received a positive response from The Honourable Simone McGurk, Minister for Child Protection; Women’s Interests; Prevention of Family and Domestic Violence and Community Services, regarding the need to establish an independent advocacy and oversight mechanism for children in care.

The Department of Communities is currently considering the implementation of recommendations made in the Legislative Review of the Children in Community Services Act 2004. The acceptance, in principle, of a number of recommendations relating to independent oversight, made to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (the Royal Commission) is a really important step towards making our State safe for all children.

The work of implementing the Royal Commission recommendations will be led by the Department of Premier and Cabinet, with the implementation strategy overseen by The Community Safety and Family Support Cabinet Sub-Committee.

All children deserve to be safe, treated with dignity and respect, and be nurtured to grow to their full potential. Urgent action is required to protect these children. Working together, we have been successful in capitalising on the momentum to ensure children and young people will be at the forefront of a more transparent and effective means of being heard.

WACOSS would like to thank the many organisations who, over a number of years, have advocated on this issue. The outcome identifies the collective efforts of everyone have been involved, and we look forward to seeing the recommendations of the Royal Commission bring real change.
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  Sector Headlines   

Free ANSON job board posting for WACOSS Members

WACOSS members receive a number of benefits, one of which is through a partnership between WACOSS and ANSON. Increase your organisations reach and promote new job listings via the WA Community Sector Job Board. Powered by ANSON, the WA Community Sector Job Board is free to WACOSS organisational members. It provides an affordable and dedicated webpage advertising positions vacant within the not-for-profit community sector. WACOSS non-members can also post job listings on the job board for a fee of $60. Each job posting will also be placed in the WACOSS Sector News each fortnight. Scroll down for this week's jobs.

Better Health, Together

The Western Australian Primary Health Alliance has launched a new online hub supporting wider stakeholder input to primary care planning and design in WA. Better Health, Together, invites practitioners, service providers, researchers, community, consumers, family, and carers to share their insights and inform primary care planning and design in WA. Watch videos on health issues and topics, be part of an online consultation page, and join the Online Stakeholder Panel.

Perth Metro Suicide Prevention Training Calendar 2018 available

The Perth Metro Suicide Prevention calendar is now available. There is a range of training on offer, including SafeTalk and Gatekeeper Suicide Prevention - both of which can be accessed for free.

Win a ticket to the 2018 Not-For-Profit People Conference in Melbourne

EthicalJobs.com.au has provided one free registration for one of our readers to attend their sixth annual Not-For-Profit People Conference on 19-20 November at the Melbourne Convention Centre. Enter the draw today and you could join 500+ NFP colleagues across management, human resources, and volunteer management, to share ideas and best practices on how to attract, manage, train, and retain the best people for the NFP sector. Don't miss your chance to attend this event enter the draw before 22 August 2018.

DropIN Solutions has communications for your organisation

Does your organisation need a communications professional but you do not have the funds to hire one? The DropIN Solutions team at WACOSS has communication and marketing professionals with experience in the NFP sector in WA, who can not only assist you with the development of content for your publications, but also with the execution of professional graphic design and effective marketing to promote them while protecting your budget. For more information, please email our DropIN Project officer in Jaime: [email protected].

MyHealthRecord opt out period extended until 15 November 2018

The MyHealthRecord opt-out period has been extended by one month, until Thursday 15 November 2018. Every Australian will get a My Health Record, however if you do not want a record, you have until 15 November 2018 to opt out.

McGowan Government seeking input for new Aboriginal organisation

Input is sought on the McGowan Government's idea to set up an organisation to hold the government accountable for the way it works with Aboriginal people, and to advocate for the things that matter to Aboriginal people in Western Australia. The new organisation would have legal powers to get information from government, and make official reports to Parliament. If you have comments or suggestions, you can contact the Aboriginal Policy Unit on 08 6552 5444 or email [email protected], by Friday 7 September 2018.

Drug-Testing legislation back in parliament

Drug testing trials have again gone before the lower house, passing on Monday night, 73 votes to 67. The trials were withdrawn from the broader welfare reform bills that passed in parliament earlier this year. The reintroduced legislation is standalone, and would see 5000 new Youth Allowance and Newstart recipients across three locations in Queensland, NSW, and Western Australia drug-tested. Multiple positive tests would result in referrals for treatment, and refusing to take a test would see a person's welfare cut for four weeks. WACOSS condemns drug-testing welfare recipients; a policy like this demonises people on low incomes and does not address addiction, which is a serious health issue and requires an equally serious response. There is no evidence that drug testing people on low incomes works, and it is in conflict with the recommendation from the Australian National Council on Drugs. Read the WACOSS statement on mandatory drug testing here.

Applications open for Volunteer Grants 2018

The Australian Government is inviting applications through an open process to apply for funding to support volunteers under Volunteer Grants Activity. Volunteer Grants aim to support the efforts of Australia's volunteers by providing small amounts of money that organisations and community groups can use to help their volunteers. Applications are open until 2pm, Tuesday 18 September 2018.

Pilbara collaboration for young people experiencing addiction

The Youth Involvement Council, Mission Australia, and WAPHA, have been working together on a Drug and Alcohol Treatment Service (DATS) to support 8-14 year olds in South Hedland. The service adopts an evidence-based approach of harm reduction and trauma-informed practice, and supports young people to develop a positive self-image, gain confidence, and reduce risk-taking behaviours associated with substance abuse. The team can assist with counselling, case management, outreach, referrals to other support services, and they have a clinician on site at Youth Involvement Council between 10am - 6pm, Monday to Friday.

2018 ACOSS National Conference

The 2018 ACOSS “Rise to the Challenge” National Conference will be held at the SMC Conference and Function Centre, 66 Goulburn St, Sydney on Monday 29 and Tuesday 30 October. The conference has been designed not only to explore these in order to shape and inform, but also to equip participants to better confront and address these challenges.

WA Youth Award nominations now open

The WA Youth Awards were established in 1999 to recognise West Australians aged 12 to 25 years for their contributions to the community, as well as outstanding youth groups and organisations that serve and support the State’s young people. Nominations are now open and will close on Wednesday, 6 September 2018, with the WA Youth Awards to be presented on Friday, 12 October 2018 at the State Theatre Centre Perth.

Pilbara Creative and Cultural Forum - Open Call for presenters

The Pilbara Development Commission and FORM have recently announced the Pilbara Creative and Cultural Forum, taking place in Newman, 21-22 September 2018. Local success stories are being sought to present projects as case studies at the Forum. Applications for Open Call presenters are now open. Share your projects, experiences and ideas to inform ways the Pilbara might succeed in the future.

Working together we can make a difference and make smoking history

Community services are working together to ensure nobody lives in poverty, nobody is socially isolated, and nobody dies early because of tobacco. Leaders within the sector share why it’s important that we all work together to ensure everyone is given the chance to improve their health and wellbeing, and no one is left behind.

Aqua Mates for people of all abilities to gain confidence in the water

A new program called 'Aqua Mates' will commence in September, which will facilitate and promote swimming and aquarobics for people of all abilities. The program will be held at Bold Park Aquatic Centre, City Beach, every second Thursday at 11am. The one-hour session is to enhance physical and mental health, creating capacity for social interaction without barriers for people of all abilities. Sessions are facilitated by a qualified staff member, and aim to build confidence, and cohesiveness in the aquatic environment. If you are interested in attending, or know someone who might be interested, email [email protected] or phone 9385 8767.

Recovery House finds a new home

Richmond Wellbeing's Recovery House is a program focused on rebuilding and reconnecting with yourself and others. The program supports a community of people exploring recovery in its many forms. To launch the new location, Richmond Wellbeing is holding an open event from 2:30pm, Friday 31 August 2018, for everyone to come down and learn about the program, meet current and past participants, and tour the new service.

ACOSS Conference Bursaries and Subsidies

ACOSS and its conference partners are offering small organisations and individuals the opportunity to apply for a bursary for attendance, travel, and accommodation to Sydney, for the National ACOSS Rise to the Challenge Conference, in October. Read more about the available subsidies on offer and apply now.

Know an unsung hero in the NFP Sector?

PricewaterhouseCoopers Director Award for Excellence in the WA Not-for-Profit Sector nominations are now open. The award will acknowledge a director who has exhibited leadership on director issues and promoted excellence in governance to achieve a positive impact for society.

Department of Housing Crisis Accommodation Program proposals

The Housing Authority's Crisis Accommodation Program (CAP) provides capital funds to organisations wishing to build, upgrade, or purchase crisis service residential premises, women's refuges, night shelters, or emergency accommodation for youth.
Publish your news and promote your event to over 5000 subscribers with the WACOSS Sector eNews - find out more here

  Sector Training and Events

16 AUG | Introducing an early intervention approach working with children and families
Various partners - Riverdale  - Free
16 AUG | Youth Work Code of Ethics Training - Roebourne
Pilbara Development Commission/Youth Work WA/YACWA/Blue Beanie Projects - Roebourne  - $73.50
17 AUG | LGBTI Inclusivity Training
Richmond Wellbeing - Cannington  - $145
17 AUG | Because of Her, We Can - Women's Luncheon
Western Australian Aboriginal Leadership Institute - Burswood  - Free
17 AUG | Youth Work Code of Ethics Training - Karratha
Pilbara Development Commission/Youth Work WA/YACWA/Blue Beanie Projects - Karratha  - $73.50
17 AUG | Finance Essentials for Not-for-Profits - Karratha
Northwest Accountancy & WACOSS - Karratha  - $20
20-31 AUG | Safe and Together Model CORE Training
Safe & Together and Stopping Family Violence - Applecross  - $618
22 AUG | LGBTI+ Peer Support Guide Launch
ConnectGroups - Wembley  - Free
23 AUG | Pre-Budget Submission Conversation - Karratha
WACOSS - Karratha - Free
23 AUG | Making Place Pilbara - Perth Panel
WACOSS - Karratha - Free
23 AUG | Pilbara Community Sector Sundowner
WACOSS - Karratha - Free
24 AUG | Container Deposit Scheme Social Enterprise Workshop
NDS - Crawley - Free
29 AUG | Finance Essentials for Not-for-Profits - Karratha
Northwest Accountancy & WACOSS - Karratha  - $20
29 AUG | Biopsychosocial Assessment
AASW (WA) - West Perth  - $70-$135
31 AUG | Recovery House launch
Richmond Wellbeing - Queens Park - Free
3 SEP | Training Workshop: Advocacy and Impact of Child Trauma
Parkerville, P4P, WACOSS - Onslow - $20
4 SEP | Pilbara for Purpose Forum: Commissioner for Children and Young People WA
Parkerville, P4P, WACOSS - Onslow - From $25
5 SEP | Workshop: Eroticising Inequality: Pornography, young people and sexuality
Women's Community Health Network WA - TBC  - $132
5 SEP | Hardship: A Community Conversation
WACOSS - Perth State Library  - Free via invite
6-7 SEP | Australian Disaster Resilience Conference
Australian Institute of Disaster Resilience - Perth  - $550+GST
10-11 SEP | Demystifying Men's Behaviour Change Programs
Various - Bentley  - TBC
21-22 SEP | Pilbara Creative and Cultural Forum
Pilbara Development Commission - Newman  - $200-$350
27 SEP | Domestic and Family Violence Discussion
Women's Council for Domestic & Family Violence Services - West Perth  - $25
27 SEP | Women In Prison Conference
Soroptimist International - Crawley  - $75-$127
10 OCT | Free Workshop: Empowering women to take control online 
Women's Council for Domestic and Family Violence Services - West Perth - Free
11-12 OCT | Un-Fairground Conference 2018
YACWA - Northbridge - TBC
14-20 OCT | Anti-Poverty Week
Various - Australia-wide - TBC
29 OCT | Save the date - FCAWA Conference 2018: The Cost of Poverty
FCAWA - Perth  - TBC

  Job Opportunities

Executive Assistant
Western Australian Council of Social Service (WACOSS) - applications closing Thursday 16 August 2018 
Executive Manager - Goldfields
Centrecare - applications closing Friday 17 August 2018 
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