strengthening the industry
information . resources . support
organisational development . industry policy. workforce development
boards and committees . managers
Helpdesk and Inquiries: phone 03 6231 0755
Our focus is on supporting strong, lively, well-managed and well-governed organisations:
Current Activities
Helpdesk
The IDU Team continues to be available to funded community service organisations and TasCOSS members. Examples of some of the support provided recently by Helpdesk include information on HR, general policies and procedures, governance and the recruitment of staff and volunteers.
Clearinghouse - Provision of online information, resources and links
The IDU acts as a clearinghouse for information relevant to the governance and management of community service organisations. View this at Information, resources and links and Sourcing advice and support.
Information sessions
The IDU runs low cost information sessions focused on management skills to assist organisations position themselves for the future. Workshops planned for the current financial year will cover issues such as:
• Modern Awards and impacts of the national Pay Equity case;
• governance; and
• workforce development tools and strategies.
These information sessions will be developed based on feedback gathered continually from community services on their needs. Contact: Dale Rahmanovic dale@tascoss.org.au
Core Skills at Work Project
TasCOSS is excited to announce its Core Skills at Work Project which offers support for Community Sector employees to develop their core skills of reading, writing, numeracy and learning skills. This project is funded through Skills Tasmania and is part of the Employer Pledge Program and the Tasmanian Adult literacy Action Plan 2010- 2014.
We welcome Lure Wishes, who joins the Industry Development Unit in the role of Core Skills Facilitator. Support to develop core skills within community service organisations is available through this project. For more information please contact Lure at lure@tascoss.org.au
Peer Learning Circles
TasCOSS has facilitated Peer Learning Circles bringing community service managers and coordinators together to share practice, develop learning cultures, develop skills in fostering learning and reflective practice and provide low cost, ongoing professional development for managers in the industry.
Click here to read a report. Contact: Tim Tabart tim@tascoss.org.au
In 2012, TasCOSS is launching Community Management Circles bringing together managers from community services and the broader community. Click here for the Expression of Interest which includes information and registration details.
Industry policy advice and projects
TasCOSS continues to undertake consultations and research with members on sector viability and sustainability, the DHHS reform agenda and national reform processes.
The IDU is also working on specific projects including:
1. Workforce development
Ongoing work and consultation on workforce development issues including what it means to be an employer of choice in the community services sector and diversity in the workplace. For more on the 2009-2010 Workforce Development project and workforce development issues click here.
Contact: Elida Meadows elida@tascoss.org.au
2. Outcomes contracts, performance and evaluation project: This project aims to develop a better understanding of the implications of DHHS’ new outcomes based contracting and performance monitoring approach. It will look at:
1.Literature on outcomes based contracting and reporting for community service organisations.
2.Interstate experience with outcomes based contracts for community services.
3.The approach of local organisations to outcomes based reporting in relation to their own performance improvement processes.
4.Practical steps organisations can take to monitor and improve their own performance, and produce data for reports to funding bodies as a by-product.
5.Recommendations for improving the alignment of DHHS requirements with the needs of community service organisations.
TasCOSS has also been working on specific industry development projects, and has produced two new reports on the industry:
• Industry Profile: Solid Foundations – Challenging Futures: A report summarising available data on the size of the industry, its income and expenditure, its workforce, and key data limitations. To download the report click here.
• The burden of reporting: A report examining the impacts and issues of reporting, compliance and government paperwork for community service organisations. To download the report click here.
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