The NTRCA recently undertook a comprehensive 1.5-day meeting at Mackillop Family Services, where pivotal decisions were made and strategic plans were laid out for a range of initiatives. The meeting, showcased a collective commitment to governance improvements, cutting-edge research, and impactful advocacy efforts.
Meeting Highlights
Foundation Members - Membership Expansion
The alliance reported positive strides in reaching out to potential members, with engagements including senior operational staff from SA Country Care and UCC. Strategies for expanding membership were outlined, emphasising trial participation for potential members in the upcoming November meeting.
Benchmarking Subcommittee
Substantial progress was made in defining metrics for benchmarking, with a pilot program agreed upon within the subcommittee to test the effectiveness of the benchmarking process. Ethical considerations and data security were emphasised, with plans to seek university partnerships for ethics approval.
Governance Group
The delegation of authority policy was discussed and endorsed, focusing on key decision-making at the reference group level. The application for DGR (Deductible Gift Recipient) status was initiated to enhance the financial capabilities of the NTRCA.
Research updates
Ongoing research projects, including stressors of staff and workforce development, were shared, demonstrating the alliance's commitment to staying informed and driving positive change.
National perspective
Representatives from various states provided updates on regional developments, discussing funding, initiatives, and challenges.
Guest speakers and discussion
Guest speakers provided insights into changes in the Diploma in Community Services and proposed qualifications for reportable conduct investigators.
Robyn Miller CEO of MacKillop, Deb Tsorbaris, CEO of Centre of Excellence and Steve Kinmond the NSW Children's Guardian highlighted the need for a national approach to residential care issues and accreditation processes.
The meeting concluded with plans for the next online meeting scheduled for September 28, 2023.
The NTRCA's commitment to governance refinement, collaborative research, and advocacy initiatives was evident throughout the meeting, emphasising the alliance's dedication to improving the residential care sector.