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7 March 2024
Happy International Women’s Day for tomorrow. Women make up the majority of the workforce in the community services sector.
Through their work supporting the most vulnerable and disadvantaged people across NSW, they make a huge contribution to our state. Yet it's clear the sector faces immense pressure from increased demand, low pay, poor working conditions, and insufficient funding.
I’m committed to seeing the work of women in our sector valued properly and will continue to advocate for longer term funding and improving the job security of our workforce.
Visiting Mirrung school hub
I enjoyed a visit to Ashcroft Public School last week and got to see first-hand the positive impact the school hub is having on students and their families. This was an initiative developed jointly by the school and NCOSS. After 18 months of operation, Mirrung now is a place where parents feel welcome to drop in for a cup of coffee, connect with teachers about their children’s learning, seek assistance with filling out
government forms, or pick up supplies of food and uniforms. A variety of after-school programs, including sport and music, are now being offered to the kids and this is having a positive effect on school attendance.
It was evident to me how the school has built trust with the families, which has led to greater engagement and is making a significant impact on the lives of the kids and their families.
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Caption: (L-R) NCOSS CEO Cara Varian, Ashcroft Public School Principal Poppy Loueizi, Director of the School Gateway Project Olivia Wright, and Deputy Principal Karen Ali.
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Public school funding
I have continued to advocate for the federal Government to increase its funding for public schools. In an interviewe for The Saturday Paper this week, I spoke about how education is a key pillar in ending poverty. This is an issue that the Australian Council of Social Service and the state peak bodies agree is an urgent priority.
Pre-Budget submission
Our pre-budget submission to the NSW Government has been released. We arrived at these recommendations through consultation with our members, a review of
our research, and engagement with the sector.
Our message is clear — the government has the opportunity to choose to support those doing it toughest right now in the face of a cost-of-living crisis, and implement strategic policy interventions that dismantle deep inequities. Failure to act will further entrench poverty for generations to come.
Like always, our strength lies in acting together. We’re asking your organisation to endorse it to increase its impact. You can read and endorse
our submission on our website.
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If you haven’t already done so please endorse Choosing a Better Future – NCOSS Pre-Budget Submission 2024 – 2025. The submission has a focus on addressing deep inequities across 5 key areas: Cost of Living, Housing and Homelessness, Children Young People and Families, First Nations Treaty, and Strengthening the Sector. You can read it on our website here.
The deadline has been extended to Friday 8 March so you still have time to endorse ours — and do your own!
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NCOSS is looking for a Policy Officer with strong policy and research capabilities, who is dedicated to the eradication of poverty in NSW.
NCOSS has several priorities that require additional capacity in the Policy and Advocacy team, with a particular focus on sector sustainability and government
commissioning practices.
NCOSS welcomes applications from people with the right skills and experience regardless of age, gender or gender identity, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or any of the grounds protected under NSW or Australian discrimination laws. We value diversity and we are inclusive.
Applications close 8 March. Please view the position description and apply here.
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Saturday paper: "The
fight for public school funding"
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NCOSS CEO Cara Varian was quoted in this article about the joint letter from peak social service bodies urging the federal government to cover the school funding shortfall.
The Saturday Paper wrote: "The peak social services bodies in Australia also signed a joint letter urging the federal government to cover the shortfall and “to achieve the Schooling Resource Standard by 2028". They highlighted the urgency of a resolution, with one in six children in Australia currently living in poverty.
"'If we are organisations focused on ending poverty, then we understand that it’s a holistic problem, which includes education, health and housing,' says Cara Varian, who is the new chief executive of the NSW Council of Social Service after
joining the organisation from an education charity."
Read the full article here.
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Mirage News: "Urgent Call for Fair, Transparent Boost in Western Sydney Social Infrastructure Investment"
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NCOSS CEO Cara Varian was quoted in this article responding the Auditor-General's report which found that a $5 billion fund for Western Sydney lacked integrity. Mirage news reported: "NCOSS, the peak NSW social services body, says identification of the need for more support for disadvantaged Western Sydney communities was right, even if the process was wrong.
'Make no mistake that the issues raised here are about the way social and economic programs were funded in Western Sydney, not the need for that funding," said NCOSS CEO Cara Varian.
"What we have here is an identified need for support in Western Sydney but a program which did not adequately deliver it. It now falls to the NSW Government to urgently address that gap.
"The fact of the matter is that $3 billion in additional funding is needed every year for essential social services in South West Sydney alone. Funding for social services in Western Sydney needs to be allocated fairly, increased substantially and aligned with need.'"
Read the full article here.
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Targeted Earlier Intervention and Family Connect and Support programs
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Caption: Image of adult playing blocks with two children with text: "TEI inform".
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The NSW Government is committed to continuing to invest in early intervention programs that improve outcomes for vulnerable children, young people, families and communities.
The Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) will commence the recommissioning of the Targeted Earlier Intervention (TEI) and Family Connect and Support (FCS) programs soon, with new contracts due to commence from 1 July 2025.
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As part of the work it is doing this year, DCJ is keen to meet with you about the recommissioning principles, the approach and timeline, and hear your feedback.
Several online information forums in March will be hosted by TEI peak organisations. There will also be a final online session on 25 March 2024, hosted by DCJ, if you are unable to attend the sessions hosted by peak organisations. This session is also open to any providers who would like to learn more about the recommissioning process.
The information presented at the forums will be the same across each of the forums. NCOSS encourages you to attend one of these forums -
please register for the one that is most relevant to you as a service provider.
TEI and FCS recommissioning 2025 Forums:
- Mon 18 March 2024 for FCS service providers, hosted by DCJ (invites will be sent by DCJ)
- Tue 19 March 2024 at 1pm - 2.30pm for TEI providers, hosted by FAMS – Register here
- Wed 20 March 2024 at 10am - 12pm for Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, hosted by AbSec (invites will be sent by AbSec).
- Wed 20 March 2024 at 12pm - 1.30pm for LCSA members who are TEI providers, hosted by LCSA (invites will be sent to members)
- Thur 21 March 2024 at
10am - 11.30am for TEI providers, hosted by Youth Action – Register here
- Mon 25 March 2024 at 10am - 12pm for any provider interested in learning most about the TEI recommissioning process, hosted by DCJ – Register here
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| Tackling Tobacco Recruitment
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Caption: Text that reads "There has been a greater uptake in using NRT products; there have also been fewer clients caught smoking. We have found that clients
are more forthcoming and seek extra support from their clinicians."
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Cancer Council NSW are currently recruiting not-for-profit, non-government Community Service Organisations to participate in the Tackling Tobacco program in the upcoming financial year.
Expressions of Interest are now open and will close Friday 12th April 2024. Successful organisations will receive newly redeveloped training for staff, dedicated
support from a Cancer Council staff member, policy review/creation, Tackling Tobacco resources, and more! A financial grant of up to $5,000 may also be available on application, to eligible organisations.
If you work with or for a Community Service Organisation and are passionate about helping people quit smoking, please complete the EOI form or contact the Tackling Tobacco team on (02) 9334 1911 or tacklingtobacco@nswcc.org.au for more information.
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This free online session will outline Centrelink payments and services available to people who are retired, planning for retirement, or wanting to keep working after reaching Age Pension age.
Target audience: Community workers and volunteers, aged-care workers, social workers and lawyers.
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Just Include Me is our free online self-paced training for health professionals.
This online training is CPD accredited and aims to shine a light on person-centered care and support health professionals to learn more about resources, tools, and actions to promote inclusion in health care for people with intellectual disability.
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Introduces participants to the beginning of their advocacy journey, so carers can develop a general understanding and start to build their capacity to advocate for themselves and their loved ones.
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Introduces participants to sharing their lived experience safely, to protect themselves and others from physical/emotional harm.
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Elsie Conference
15-16 March, UTS Sydney
$660 | Register here: Elsie Conference | Register
The Elsie Conference marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Elsie Women’s Refuge, and the start of the women’s refuge movement in Australia.
It will delve into the history of refuges and look to the future challenges faced by anyone working in or making policy for the sector.
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Home Care Community Fund Grants
Closing Date: 14 March 2024
SSI’s Home Care Workforce Support Program provides support to start a career or training in aged care. Grants from $50 to $5,000 are available for community groups and organisations wanting to host activities or an event for their community, funded by the Program. Grants can be for a special event or as part of an existing activity/event. Activities must be completed by 30 March 2024.
For more information, visit the
grant information page.
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Youngcare’s At Home Care Grants
Closing Date: 27 March
Youngcare’s At Home Care Grants (AHCG) provide funding for equipment, home modifications and essential support that is unable to be funded through other means (eg. NDIS). The grants provide one-off funding of up to $10,000 to help those aged 16-65 with high physical care needs who are living at home, and are at risk of entering inappropriate housing.
For more information, visit the grant information page.
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Lesbians Incorporated Community Grants
Closing Date: 22 March 2024
Projects may aim to benefit the lesbian community in general or one or more groups within the lesbian community. Groups may be racial, cultural, geographic, or may have specific identified needs or shared interests and concerns.
For more information, visit the grant information page.
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NSW Justice Reinvestment Grant
Closing Date: 18 March 2024
The Justice Reinvestment grant program has been created to provide funding for community-led programs that focus on reinvesting in Aboriginal communities to reduce contact with the criminal justice system.
For more information, visit the grant information page.
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Caption: Text reading "Closing Soon!"
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Mercy Foundation’s Social Justice Small Grants Program
Closing Date: 11 March 2024
The Mercy Foundation is now accepting applications for its Social Justice Small Grants Program.
Grants up to $10,000 are available for community initiatives addressing social justice issues at the grass roots.
Find out more: https://bit.ly/3rNgw9H or contact the Mercy
Foundation on 02 9911 7390.
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Women NSW: Return to Work Pathways Program
Closing Date: 11 March 2024
The funding can be used to implement tailored projects that work to decrease the barriers that prevent women re-entering the workforce. Projects will support women to gain employment by providing wrap-around support including training, mentoring and pathways to employment.
Find out more: 2024 Return to Work Pathways Program | NSW Government
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Some of the latest from our Jobs Board:
Gambling Financial Counsellor (Inner-city Sydney) - University of Sydney - VIEW JOB
Carer Support Practitioner (Liverpool) - Anglicare - VIEW JOB
Case Worker (Inner West Sydney) - The Gender Centre - VIEW JOB
Alcohol and Other Drugs Worker (Inner West Sydney) - WHOS - VIEW JOB
Youth Project Officer (Armidale) - NSW STARTTS - VIEW JOB
Case Manager - Specialist Homelessness Services (Moruya) - Anglicare - VIEW JOB
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NCOSS gives its members the opportunity to share their stories, research, resources, events and more through NCOSS eNews. If you have something to share with the sector, send through a short blurb (50-70 words), image (250 x 250px) and relevant links to info@ncoss.org.au.
We will endeavour to add it to an edition of NCOSS e-News (goes out every fortnight on Thursday morning). Deadline for content is 5:00pm on Monday, the week of publication. The next deadline is Monday, 18 March 2024.
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| NCOSS gratefully acknowledges the support of
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Share our eNews to your communities
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