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Simon Rosenberg Deputy CEO. Developing Throughcare : A better way of doing policy?. Three ways to “do” policy. The Consultation Approach The Advocacy Approach The Partnership Approach – Throughcare as case study. 1. Policy by Consultation. Govt identifies a policy issue
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Simon Rosenberg Deputy CEO Developing Throughcare :A better way of doing policy?
Three ways to “do” policy • The Consultation Approach • The Advocacy Approach • The Partnership Approach – Throughcare as case study
1. Policy by Consultation • Govt identifies a policy issue • Govt develops a draft policy or consultation paper, and seeks reaction through forums or submissions • Community sector organises its response • Govt accepts, adapts or ignores sector input • Govt provides feedback on the outcomes – sometimes!
2. Policy by Advocacy • Community sector identifies unmet needs, gaps in services • Sector does research and consults internally on the issues and solutions • Policy Paper/Submission developed to present to Govt. • Govt accepts, adapts or ignores sector views
3. Policy by Partnership • Community sector (or Govt) identifies unmet needs, gaps in services • Sector approaches Govt (or vice versa) to work jointly on issues and solutions • Policy Paper/Submission(s) developed – may be joint or separate, but with common elements • Govt and sector reps maintain their accountabilities, but work together as far as possible • Ideally, a final policy position emerges that has govt and sector ownership.
Community Integration Governance Group (CIGG) • Cross-sectoral community agencies’ forum set up late 2009 • Focus on Throughcare, ie continuity of services and support for offenders pre and post release from AMC, Bimberi, and broader justice system. • Problem identified: new facilities with rehab and human rights focus, but no systemic planning or coordination of throughcare services to help prevent reoffending. • Whole of Govt, whole of community (WoG/WoC) problem • Developed initial policy position for Throughcare • CIGG explicitly aimed to work with govt
CIGG achievements • Participation from all relevant sectors • Comprehensive submission to AMC review • Engagement with ACTCS and CMD initially, then all key govt agencies • Input to paper for Policy Forum (Dep CEOs) • Policy Forum agreement to development of Throughcare Policy collaboratively between ACT Govt and CIGG.
What made it work? • Trust and openness • Role clarity • Accountability • ‘Selling’ the value of the sector's input • Patience • The ‘Partnership’ was genuine
What are the risks? • Confidentiality • Co-option • Role confusion • Delay
What are the benefits? • An alternative way of doing policy – community sector has earlier input, and outcomes more likely to be jointly owned • Particularly useful for ‘wicked problems’ – often need WoG/WoC joined-up approach* • Implementation issues get better consideration at policy development phase • Greater understanding of each other’s constraints • Enhanced trust and respect for further work • A practical expression of the Social Compact!
Conclusion • Community sector should explore opportunities for policy development through partnership with govt • Sector needs to more actively share and learn from experiences of what has worked and what has not • Partnership approach most useful for WoG/WoC* • Value connecting/networking skills. simon.r@adfact.org, ph. 0400 507757 * For more info see APSC, “Tackling Wicked Problems: A Public Policy Perspective”, 2007