Based on survey data collected from leaders of 513 organisations, the report provides rich information about sector capacity, sustainability, and engagement with government. It shows the sector's strengths as a collaborative, diverse and feminised industry. It also shows leaders' perspectives on the challenges facing the sector. These include adapting to policy change and meeting social...

This report provides unprecedented detail about the characteristics of not-for-profit community service organisations in NSW, and their experiences of the funding and operational environment. Based on responses from leaders of 576 organisations, survey findings provide insight into the mix of financial resources that organisations access; leaders’ perceptions of the funding environment; and priorities for tackling...

Disability services in Australia are undergoing large-scale, systemic reform. In recent years, to improve outcomes for people with disabilities and the efficiency of services, Commonwealth, State and Territory agencies have developed and trialled a range of market-based funding models within which ‘choice’ and ‘control’ are key principles. This report is concerned with the impact of...

Service quality and effectiveness in all community services depend on having a stable, capable and sustainable workforce, and family relationship services are no exception. Workforce quality and stability are essential if these services are to continue to meet the complex relationship services needs of families and individuals. This paper reviews and analyses workforce issues and...

This report documents one of three themed studies undertaken as part of the national evaluation of the Stronger Families and Communities Strategy 2004-09. It explores how Communities for Children, Invest to Grow and Local Answers projects and activities have engaged clients who may be considered hard-to-reach. Using interviews with key informants in a sample of...