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Aboriginal self-determination
Our Aboriginal Self-Determination and Outcomes division aims to elevate First Peoples’ leadership. The division also seeks to ensure cultural safety is embedded in our workplaces, policies, programs, projects and services.
It leads the department’s efforts to embed Aboriginal voice and ways of knowing, being and doing in our policies and programs.
This work will be shaped by the outcomes of the Yoorrook Justice Commission – Victoria’s formal truth-telling inquiry and the first of its kind in Australia.
As we progress along the self-determination continuum we will undertake bold reforms of self-determination.
Our goal is to transform the system rather than undertaking piecemeal change to existing programs, projects and services.
Planning for and responding to growing demand
We will continue to drive system innovation and improvement across the state, as well as utilising place-based approaches tailored to local challenges. We will also continue to work to meet increased demand for homes and support. This includes maintaining service continuity in sectors undergoing significant reform.
We will:
- listen to evolving community expectations and needs
- plan and work with communities and the funded sector to focus supports where they are most needed
- innovate with local communities, using evidence-led approaches.
In our role as steward of Victoria’s housing and social services systems, we will continue to work to meet increased demand for homes and support. This includes maintaining service continuity in sectors undergoing significant reform.
Supporting the workforce
We need a strong housing, child protection and community sector workforce. This will ensure that Victorians can get the support they need, in the right way, at the right time and in the right place.
This means working to:
- attract, train, retain and equip the workforces that deliver vital inclusive and accessible programs and services
- create inclusive organisational cultures that make us an employer of choice
- strategically plan for our future workforces
- support our funded agencies to do the same.
We cannot meet future demand for government supports without staff who can deliver outcomes for Victorians across the state.
Building stronger partnerships and networks for the communities we serve
Our department plays a unique and vital role in the lives of many individuals, families and communities, often during times of crisis or disadvantage.
We will foster strong families, neighbourhoods and support networks that prevent harm before it occurs.
We will strive to help Victorians when and where they need us most.
To achieve this, we need to:
- coordinate more effectively both within and outside our department
- develop new partnerships and models for collaboration with our communities
- ensure our technologies and processes stay efficient and fit for purpose.