A MESSAGE FROM NCOSS CEO

Dear All,

It was great to have the NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet, Shadow Treasurer Walt Secord and Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward - along with hundreds of NCOSS members from across the state - join us for our post budget event on 26 November. Our political leaders were generous with their time and keen to engage on the issues. Importantly the Treasurer indicated his support for social housing as effective economic stimulus and that we can expect a bigger spend in this regard in the 2021/22 budget. He also committed to revisit indexation for DCJ-funded services - both issues which we will continue to vigorously pursue. You can see our follow-up letter to the Treasurer here and you can watch the recording of the NCOSS Post-Budget event here.

Notwithstanding data showing the NSW economy is bouncing back quicker than expected, we know that inequality will widen without targeted investment to ward off disadvantage; and that significant economic and social risks remain, particularly with the JobSeeker supplement and JobKeeper concluding in 2021. Therefore, we will continue to fight for greater investment in programs that will support the most vulnerable communities across NSW.

One issue that needs urgent attention is the overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in the child protection system and in particular out-of-home care (OOHC). The implementation of the 125 recommendations for systems improvement made by Professor Megan Davis in the Family is Culture report would be a good start. This needs a sharper focus in next year’s budget and we stand with AbSec, along with other Aboriginal peaks and leaders in advocating for stronger action, tailored solutions and genuine partnership.

During 2020 NCOSS partnered with the Reading Writing Hotline to better understand the role of local community organisations in assisting people with literacy challenges to fill in the forms required to access Government services. Our survey of 70 organisations highlights that forms have increased in number and complexity and moved online. Many NGOs are now playing the role of ‘literacy mediator’, helping clients understand instructions, navigate technology and apply for assistance - but this role is not formally recognised or funded. The research also finds that established government guidelines to ensure content and materials are easy to understand are not consistently applied, causing barriers for people needing to access support and additional work for local NGOs. The report recommends government agencies adhere to the guidelines, provide telephone assistance for those who are struggling and that money saved from moving application processes online be reinvested in community organisations providing frontline literacy support. You can access a copy of the report here.

Sadly, we heard this week that past President and long-time supporter of NCOSS, Lesley Garton has died. Lesley was a stalwart of the NSW community sector, a tireless and respected contributor, and a powerful advocate on women’s health issues. She will be sadly missed and our thoughts go out to her family and friends as they face a tough Christmas.

This is the last e-News for 2020 and what has been an eventful, unsettling and difficult year. Throughout it all, our sector’s ability to adapt, find solutions and continue being there for clients has been remarkable. I hope you have a restful and rejuvenating break and that 2021 brings with it new fewer challenges and lots of opportunities of us all.

- Joanna Quilty, NCOSS CEO

NCOSS News

NSW Budget: Budgeting for Client Outcomes

Resources & Training on Governance

Bushfire Legal Aid Scheme

Legal Advice for Renters Living in Bushfire Impacted Areas
and/or Impacted by COVID 19