Partnering with the Department of Education
About the partnership
In September 2018, the Department of Education and Victorian Council of Social Service signed a Partnership Agreement.
This Partnership Agreement built on previous commitments, and stood in recognition of the community sector’s critical role in the development of policy, the delivery of services and the improvement of outcomes for all Victorians, particularly those who are vulnerable or experiencing disadvantage.
DE and the community sector are committed to increased collaboration, consultation and engagement.
Key principles
The Partnership Agreement emphasises cooperation and commitment to the following principles:
- a shared vision to achieve the best possible learning and development outcomes for all Victorians, particularly people who are vulnerable or experiencing disadvantage
- mutual respect for each partner’s autonomy and responsibilities, while recognising that true partnership may require change, innovation and risk
- collaboration and the fostering of opportunities to work together on issues of mutual benefit or concern
- communication, consultation and engagement on decisions by one partner that will impact upon the other
- transparency of financial relations between the DE, VCOSS and the sector, subject to relevant legislation and policies
- a relationship that celebrates success, addresses challenges and acknowledges contributions to outcomes that are achieved
- joint leadership of the partnership, including joint agenda setting.
Significant achievements
The establishment of the Victorian community partnership governance group, which provides a regular forum for relationship building, policy development, and the exchange of information.
Best Start, Best Life reforms (Pre-Prep/Priority Cohorts 2026/28) Information Session
Recorded live on Wednesday, 14 May 2025
Victorian Early Leaver Connection Initiative (VELCI) Information Session
Recorded live on Wednesday, 30 April 2025
Advancing Education Equity – Reimagining Teaching: Victoria’s Journey to Better Learning For All
Recorded live on Tuesday, 3 December 2024
2025 VCOSS Community Sector Education Forum
The Community Sector Education Forum is a flagship event held annually by the Victorian Council of Social Service (VCOSS) supported by the Victorian Department of Education.
The 2025 Community Sector Education Forum, held on Thursday 13 November at Melbourne Town Hall, explored the theme:
Bridges to Learning: Supporting children and young people’s engagement and reengagement in education
VCOSS was honoured to interview students from Hester Hornbrook Academy – Charlie, Salma, Nix, Jackson, Haz, Tasha and Levi.
They shared their experience of mainstream schooling and how this compares to their schooling at Hester Hornbrook Academy.
This video was a particular highlight to the 120 sector colleagues that joined us in the room at Melbourne Town Hall.
Special thanks to Hester Hornbrook Academy, the amazing students we interviewed – Charlie, Salma, Nix, Jackson, Haz, Tasha and Levi – and our videographer Dhyan Verco (www.dhyanverco.com) for helping us create this work.
2025 Forum resources
2025 VCOSS – Department of Education Community Sector Forum Agenda
Read the Summary Report
2024 Forum resources
2024 VCOSS Community Sector Education Forum Agenda
Keynote speaker: Dr Pasi Sahlberg (slide deck)
Showcase: Banksia Gardens (slide deck)
Breakout session 1: Sally Moore (slide deck)
Breakout session 2: Marcia McKenzie (slide deck)
Breakout Session 3: Smart Justice for Young People (slide deck)
2023 VCOSS Community Sector Education Forum
What Surrounds Us, Shapes Us.
2023 VCOSS – Community Sector Education Forum
VCOSS hosts an annual invite-only forum to discuss advances and challenges in the delivery education across Victoria.
This flagship event is a key component of an ongoing partnership between VCOSS and the Department of Education, in recognition of the community sector’s critical role in the development of policy, the delivery of services and the improvement of education outcomes for young Victorians.
The most recent forum was held in October 2023, with the theme What Surrounds Us, Shapes Us.
The event featured keynote presentations from:
- Ben Carroll MP. Deputy Premier of Victoria. Minister for Education.
- Lizzie Blandthorn MP. Minister for Children. Minister for Disability.
- Jenny Atta. Secretary, Victorian Department of Education.
- Amy Haywood. Grattan Institute
- Sally Lasslett. The Hester Hornbrook Academy
- Sheree Lowe. VACCHO
- Nor Shanino. Ubuntu Project
- Silvana Izzo. Trauma specialist
- Jocelyn Bignold OAM. McAuley Community Services for Women
- Mark Singleton. MacKillop Education.
- Megan O’Connell OAM. Former Mitchell Institute / ELAA
- And many more.
2021 VCOSS Community Sector Education Forum
2020 VCOSS Community Sector Education Forum
Communiques
- March 2023 (PDF)
- June 2022 (PDF)
- March 2022 (PDF)
- September 2021 (PDF)
- December 2021 (PDF)
- May 2021 (PDF)
- March 2021 (PDF)
Annual Victorian community sector forums on topics of mutual interest, which are attended by Ministers from all three education portfolios.
The publication of Creating engaging schools for all children and young people: What works – research by the community sector identifying principles of good practice to keep children engaged at school.
VCOSS is the peak body for Victoria’s social and community sector, and the state’s premier social advocacy body.
We work towards a Victoria free from poverty and disadvantage, where every person and community experiences genuine wellbeing.
Partnering with the Department of Education
Project status
Ongoing
Duration
January 2024 – December 2026
Key contact
Juanita Pope
Partners
Department of Education
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VCOSS acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country, and we pay respect to Elders and Ancestors. Our business is conducted on sovereign, unceded Aboriginal land. The VCOSS offices are located on Wurundjeri Woiwurrung land in central Naarm.