Sector collaboration
For SETS service providers, key stakeholders are integral to providing holistic and quality services. An important characteristic of delivering a quality service is the ability to create and maintain partnerships and links with other agencies.
Partnerships are a key to the delivery of effective settlement services. Projects may begin with some program partners already in place. Identifying and entering new partnerships is key to remaining flexible and adaptable to emerging needs and opportunities.
Active involvement of key stakeholders can strengthen collaboration between services and in communities to act as a pathway for improved service delivery.
When service providers work together they strengthen the support available to youth and older migrants. It also allows service providers to learn from each other and ensure they do not duplicate services. This also supports referral pathways and continuum of support so that service providers address young people’s needs at all stages of their settlement journey.
Service providers delivering SETS should prioritise working relationships with organisations delivering similar programs. This will:
- avoid duplication of effort
- develop strong referral pathways
- enable collaborative casework strategies and
- build effective cross-sector capacity to support the target group.
These relationships can give valuable insight on issues including:
- referral processes
- client needs
- local issues
- community feedback and
- approaches or gaps in service delivery.
Activities that service providers can undertake include:
- collaborating to support individuals
- integrating service delivery
- networking with existing agencies, or building new networks to identify issues and address gaps and barriers in local service delivery.
Providers who collaborate effectively have opportunities to:
- participate in inter-agency groups, committees and forums to work on issues of common concern
- work together on joint ventures with agencies working with the same target group or issues of concern
- participate in local community gatherings or state based forums
- develop positive working relationships with government agencies and
- exchange ideas and knowledge.
Key stakeholders are those with whom the service provider interacts during service delivery, and the agencies providing incoming and outgoing referrals. Service providers should establish good working relationships with other agencies. This includes:
- other SETS providers
- HSP providers
- AMEP providers
- Workforce Australia providers
- state funded employment support
- community hubs
- schools
- Services Australia, including Multicultural Service Officers
- community services and non-governmental organisations
- youth services
- local social clubs for older migrants
- accommodation and/or refuge services
- charitable organisations
- state/territory youth, social and community services departments and other government departments
- local governments (including maternal child health and other relevant services)
- police, juvenile justice and legal services
- counselling services
- cultural, recreational and/or sporting groups
- community leaders, young people, families and other community groups.
