Partnering with the Department of Education and Training
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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.
This page will be updated next week with resources, videos and summaries from the 2023 Education Forum.
From left: Jenny Atta, Ben Carroll MP, Juanita Pope and Lizzie Blandthorn MP.
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Images
Download full image by graphic artist Sarah Firth (@sarahthefirth)
Past forums
About the partnership
In September 2018, the Department of Education and Training 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 critical role as in the development of policy, the delivery of services and the improvement of outcomes of all Victorians, particularly for those who are vulnerable or experiencing disadvantage.
DET 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 the vulnerable or disadvantaged
- 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 DET, 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.
Communiques
- November 2023 (PDF)
- August 2023 (PDF)
- June 2023 (PDF)
- 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.
- 2023 Community Sector Education Summary (PDF)
- 2022 Community Sector Education Summary (Word)
- 2021 Community Sector Education Summary (Word)
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.