FaHCSIA Strategic Framework 2008-2010
This Strategic Framework will guide us over the next three years.
Our Purpose
Improving the lives of Australians by creating opportunities for economic and social participation by individuals, families and communities.Our Key Objectives
These reflect our Ministers' higher level priorities and are supported by Business Plans across the Department.Close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians
In 2008-09 we will:- Better engage Indigenous people in developing solutions to tackle Indigenous disadvantage by promoting economic participation and reducing welfare dependency
- Contribute to whole-of-government implementation of a comprehensive plan to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians and make communities safe for children and vulnerable people
- Oversee an independent and transparent review of the effectiveness and future directions of the Northern Territory Emergency Response
Build a modern social and income support system
In 2008-09 we will:- Contribute to the review of the Australian tax system
- Undertake a review of pensions
- Ensure the family payment system is properly targeted and encourages workforce participation
- Improve the effectiveness of the programs we fund and better target them to those most in need
Provide better support and services for those in need
In 2008-09 we will:- Deliver financial support to seniors, people with disabilities and carers, to help with cost of living pressures
- Develop a national disability strategy including negotiating a new Commonwealth State Territory Disability Agreement
- Deliver better support to parents of children with profound disability
- Increase the level of community support for people with a mental illness, their families and carers and provide early intervention for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Deliver family policy that best fosters the development, well-being and safety of children
In 2008-09 we will:- Lead the development of a National Framework for Child Protection
- Ensure family support serves the best interests of families with children
Reduce homelessness and make housing more affordable
In 2008-09 we will:- Develop a comprehensive action plan to meet the Government's target to reduce homelessness
- Negotiate a National Affordable Housing Agreement to achieve affordable housing for low and middle income earners
- Establish a Housing Affordability Fund and a National Rental Affordability Scheme
Promote women's safety, economic security and participation
In 2008-09 we will:- Lead the development of a national women's agenda and a National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and Children
- Strengthen consultative arrangements with rural women
Our Values
As public servants we uphold APS values which include impartiality, accountability and responsiveness to Government.As a Department we choose to complement these with a small set of guiding principles that are meaningful to our staff:
- Respect - we respect our clients, stakeholders and each other
- Collaboration - we value collaboration with each other and all external stakeholders
- Professionalism - we provide a professional and responsive service to government and we conduct ourselves with integrity
- Results - we will measure the impact of our work on our clients and use evidence to inform and improve our programs
- Innovation - we value innovation, creativity and continuous improvement
Leadership
The following leadership capabilities and behaviours emphasise what leaders in FaHCSIA must focus on. They are assessed in our Individual Performance Management System.FaHCSIA leaders at all levels will:
- Set the direction
- Provide clear and consistent guidance
- Achieve results
- Set the example
- Value and develop staff
Our Corporate and Governance Priorities
These describe the key enabling activities that FaHCSIA staff should contribute to and support in their day-to-day work. They are all equally important and address areas which we must focus on if the Key Objectives are to be realised.Business Plans across the Department reflect these Corporate and Governance Priorities.
Our business is based on the evidence
- We invest in research and evaluation to produce evidence that informs policies and programs
- We provide robust, evidence-based policy advice and program implementation based on the evidence
We are effective and inclusive
- FaHCSIA is recognised as a valued and respected source of social policy advice
- Our staff work collaboratively across the Department, all levels of government and with external stakeholders, including the not-for-profit sector
We value our people
- Our staff are properly recognised and rewarded
- We build a strong performance culture focussed on developing staff capacity, including leadership and capability development
- We develop succession plans for key positions
- We respect and encourage diversity in our working environment
- We encourage a healthy work-life balance and provide flexible and supportive working arrangements
We manage effectively and with integrity
- Our business units use allocated resources efficiently, effectively and ethically to achieve the best outcomes for Government
- Our financial and information management practices meet legislative and best practice requirements
- We manage our strategic risks
We set the direction and plan for the future
- All areas of the Department have appropriate Business Plans, which are developed as part of the annual Budget Planning process and are actively managed and kept up-to-date
- Business Plans provide a clear connection between activities and Departmental Outcomes, our Key Objectives and our Corporate and Governance Priorities
- We deliver our plans by consistently applying our Core Business Practices
Our Core Business Practices
These are the critical elements of work that we must do well to achieve our Purpose and Key Objectives. They provide the tools for all FaHCSIA staff to ensure that we approach common activities and tasks in a consistent way.- Policy development and advice - an evidence-based process to develop future social policy needs or respond to current problems and issues
- Program design and implementation - the development of practical solutions to deliver the Government's planned policy outcomes
- Managing stakeholder engagement - building and maintaining effective relationships with stakeholders
- Issues management - the systematic and strategic approach to anticipating, analysing and responding to important and emerging issues
- Governance and resource management - people, policies and processes that provide the framework which guides managers and staff to make the best decisions
- Whole-of-government participation and leadership - ensuring our work contributes effectively to whole-of-government initiatives and that FaHCSIA is a valued contributor to APS-wide endeavours