QUEENSLAND SERVICES ARE SETTING NEW STANDARDS

Whether you’re in Mareeba, Winton or on the Gold Coast, a $3.4 million grants package will help non-government organisations across Queensland deliver the same level of service to those in need, Communities Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr announced today.

“Community services in Queensland will be stronger thanks to the new service standards and the $3.4 million grants package from the State Government that will help organisations implement them,” Ms Nelson-Carr said.

“The Department of Communities funds about 900 non-government organisations who provide a wide variety of community services throughout the State,” she said.

“The new Standards for Community Services will strengthen the organisations and community-based services and ultimately give Queenslanders greater confidence in the programs and support their local organisations offer.”

Ms Nelson-Carr said the standards were developed in consultation with the community services sector as part of the Strengthening Non-Government Organisations strategy.

“Setting service standards is an important step. They will establish minimum requirements for the ways organisations plan and manage client services, recruit and support staff, and meet their governance responsibilities.

“Eventually, meeting the standards will be a condition of funding.”

Ms Nelson-Carr said developmental grants would be available in 2007–08 to organisations receiving more than $50,000 in funding from the Department of Communities.

“The one-off grants of $7000 will help organisations implement the standards,” she said.

As part of the implementation process, organisations will be required to conduct a self-assessment and develop an improvement plan which the Minister said was part of the State’s vision for stronger non-government organisations.

The self-assessment process would help prepare Queensland’s community organisations for compliance with the standards which will be monitored from 2011 onwards.

“Additional resources and assistance, including self-assessment training by the Queensland Council of Social Service (QCOSS) will also be available,” she said.

QCOSS training session will be conducted in regions around the State in October and November. Information about locations and dates are available from local QCOSS community sector development workers. Contact details are provided at www.qcoss.org.au

Further information about the standards is available at www.qld.gov.au/ngo and at www.communities.qld.gov.au

Media Contact: Minister Nelson-Carr’s office 3235 4280