PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
                Department of Human Services / Health, Housing and Community Sector
                         PREAMBLE
                         This Partnership Agreement represents a significant milestone in the ongoing relationship between 
                         the Department of Human Services and health, housing and community service organisations in
                         Victoria. Representatives of the Department of Human Services and peak bodies for the health, 
                         housing and community services sectors have developed the Agreement jointly. 
                         The Partnership Agreement has been developed in recognition of the mutual reliance between 
                         the Department and the independent service delivery organisations it funds. It recognises the
                         importance of the strength of that relationship in ensuring effective public policy and best 
                         service outcomes for all Victorians. It acknowledges the respective strengths of both partners.
                         The Agreement is intended to provide an overarching statement, which encompasses planning
                         processes, program agreements, service and funding agreements and review processes. 
                         It is consistent with the broad parameters of the government policy framework – ‘Growing 
                         Victoria Together’. As a living document, it will be reviewed and, if necessary, amended from 
                         time to time. It is not intended to be a legally binding document. 
                         All parties to this Agreement are committed to ensuring that this represents a new stage 
                         in the relationship between government and the health, housing and community sectors. 
                         It is an expression of our joint commitment to best possible human service outcomes for 
                         the people of Victoria.
                         Signed                                                             Name Patricia Faulkner
                         Date        23 October 2002                                        Title    Secretary, Department of Human Services
                         Signed                                                             Name Cath Smith
                                                                                            Title    CEO, Victorian Council of Social Services
                                                                                                     on behalf of the Health, Housing and Community
                                                                                                     Services organisations that have endorsed this 
                         Date        23 October 2002                                                 Agreement
                         Signed                                                             Name Iain Fraser
                                                                                            Title    EO, Victorian Healthcare Association
                                                                                                     on behalf of the Health, Housing and Community
                                                                                                     Services organisations that have endorsed this 
                         Date        23 October 2002                                                 Agreement
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              PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
              Department of Human Services/Health, Housing and Community Sector
              Contents
              1.   Purpose                                                    3
              2. Vision                                                       3
              3.   Defining the Context                                       4
                        3.1 Shared Values and Principles                      4
                        3.2 Partnerships                                      5
                        3.3 Environments                                      5
                        3.4 Governance                                        6
                        3.5 Transparency                                      6
                        3.6 Life Cycle                                        7
                        3.7 Time                                              7
              4.   Defining the Relationship                                  8
                        4.1 The Department of Human Services                  8
                        4.2 Health, Housing and Community Sector             10
              5.   Relationship Commitments                                  11
              6.   Monitoring and Supporting the Agreement                   11
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                   Purpose                                           Vision
                   The purpose of this Partnership Agreement         A vision for the future of human service 
                   is to affirm agreed expectations of a working     delivery in Victoria assumes the sustainable
                   relationship between the Victorian Department     existence of a robust and resilient health, 
                   of Human Services and the independent health,     housing and community sector working in 
                   housing and community service organisations       a dynamic partnership with responsive and
                   that it funds. It recognises that the Department  effective government agencies. 
                   and service organisations have legitimate         The following assumptions underpin the vision:
                   differences in governance, roles and
                   responsibilities. However the Department and      • It is assumed that health, housing and
                   the health, housing and community services          community organisations will continue to
                   sector share an overriding common objective,        represent their communities of interest and
                   which is to achieve best possible outcomes          advocate for their interests and needs.  
                   from the provision of services to the people      • It is assumed that government will 
                   of Victoria. A key purpose of this document,        administer public funds and address 
                   therefore, is to present an agreement of the        program development in accordance with 
                   vision, values and goals which the Department       the policies of the elected parliament of 
                   and funded organisations hold in common,            the day and in accordance with existing
                   and to support a shared approach to developing      statutes and regulations.  
                   more effective working arrangements between
                   the Department and the sector it funds.           • It is assumed that in a complex and ever more
                                                                       rapidly changing society where existing and
                                                                       emerging needs far outstrip available funds
                                                                       and resources, there need to be mutually
                                                                       agreed processes for planning, developing 
                                                                       and delivering health, housing and community
                                                                       services which are based on the principles 
                                                                       of sustainability*. An approach based on
                                                                       sustainability which assumes a commitment 
                                                                       to long term planning and outcomes, together
                                                                       with a wide view of environmental impact, 
                                                                       has the potential to deliver the most effective
                                                                       use of resources. 
                                                                     • It is assumed that the interests of Victorians
                                                                       are best served by a participative working
                                                                       relationship between the Department and 
                                                                       the health, housing and community services
                                                                       sector, on these processes.
                                                                     *Sustainability is the good management of social, economic
                                                                     and environmental resources to ensure that the benefits for
                                                                     future generations are no less than we enjoy today.
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