NSW Department of Community Services

If you are funded by the NSW Department of Community Services under:

  • Community Services Grants Program (CSGP)
  • Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP)
  • Families First
  • Better Futures

Your Service Agreement for 2005 - 2006 says:

You will provide the services in a way which is accessible to all people in the identified client group (as described in the Service Specification) regardless of race, sex, age, pregnancy, marital status, disability, sexual preference, religion, philosophy, cultural background, transgender or HIV status. (Section 4.1)

You will take all reasonable action to ensure that the premises at which any Project is conducted are physically accessible to people with disabilities. DoCS acknowledges that cost is a relevant consideration in determining what action is reasonable. (Section 4.5)

You will take all reasonable action to ensure that clients of your project from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds have access to interpreters and translators. (Section 4.6)

If you are funded by the NSW Department of Community Services under the Area Assistance Scheme (AAS) eg. WSAAS:

Your project must:

be implemented so communities targeted by a project can participate in it. The funded organisation must eliminate any barriers that may limit the target community's participation in the management and delivery of the project.

People may be prevented from participating in projects or using services because of factors such as: location, lack of information, or physical, cultural or language barriers.

To ensure your project gives everyone in the target group the opportunity to participate:

  • collect information about the target groups and consult them about their needs
  • ensure diverse representation in decision making about the planning and delivery of the service
  • liaise and establish networks with community organisations representing the target groups
  • locate projects/services near public transport
  • use facilities that are accessible to people with a physical disability
  • provide information in plain English and in community languages where required
  • eliminate direct and indirect discrimination in service delivery and project operation
  • employ staff who understand the needs of the target group and have the skills to work with them
  • train staff and management on access and equity principles and strategies
  • monitor the level and diversity of access through the collection of data and consultation with the community
  • allocate funds in the project budget for interpreting, translating, sign interpreters and hire of special equipment, such as hearing loops.

In accordance with the NSW Government's Youth Policy, the AAS requires the funded agency to provide the opportunity for young people to participate in decision making about the planning and delivery of the service (for example, youth members on a board of management, a survey of local young people). (Section 9)

 

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Additional guidelines for services funded by: