Consortia / Partnerships

Posted by: Sandy Paton
Sandy Paton Consulting

 

Two or more organisations agree to formally documenting an agreement about the role of each agency without merging and creating a new legal entity. Joint funding can be applied for without the individual agencies losing their autonomy.

Advantages

 

  • Organisations can maintain autonomy. This can be of particular advantage where  small outreach services of large or statewide organisations wish to partner with other local services to share resources and improve outcomes for clients through a more holistic approach to service delivery
  • Relationships can be strengthened
  • Joint funding can be trialed

 

 

Disadvantages

 

  • Relationships need effort to maintain
  • One agency has to take the lead and responsibility for ensuring sound governance and risk management

 

Case Study

The Blue Mountains Consortium (BMC) and Stronger Families Alliance

The Blue Mountains Consortium consisting of 9 partnering services initially formed in response to:

 

  • A NSW Department of Community Services tender process –requirement to   collaborate/integrate to deliver services in new Brighter Futures program (no single agency could secure funds)
  • A new policy direction within local council re: service system integration

 

This new model of service delivery presented challenges because the Blue Mountains LGA is geographically spread across 110 kms and includes 27 towns and villages. Blue Mountains Consortium views itself and operates as a separate entity i.e. separate to the implementation of any particular project

 

The Stronger Families Alliance (SFA)

Represents all the interfaces that BM families with young children have, directly or non-directly, with government, community and business organisations.  It was formed because  no single agency could respond to increasingly complex needs of families –„wicked issues‟ Needed local level response to develop comprehensive, integrated service systems. The conveners are: BM City Council, NSW Department Human Services, Community Services, MCRN (Advocacy Peak). There are 17 additional members from a diverse range of organisations, and all members have decision making powers.

For further information please contact: Dianne Jackson PhD, Executive Director Connect Child and Family Services Inc., Adjunct Fellow University of Western Sydney; T: 47589966; F: 47589988; M: 0414529861.