Achieving excellence in research and education

Priority 5 of Victoria’s workforce plan for the NDIS.

The Future Social Service Institute will drive world-leading education, training and research in the disability and broader social services sector.

The Institute is a unique collaboration between the Victorian Council of Social Services (VCOSS), RMIT University and the Victorian Government which will prepare Victoria for significant changes that will occur in the delivery of social services in the new NDIS environment.

Building on seed funding provided by the Victorian Government, this additional investment will establish the Institute, which will be fully operational in 2017.

The Institute will design world-best education programs to help train the workforce of the future, research emerging trends and opportunities in social services reform, and empower not-for-profits to reorient to a global market.

The Institute will be built on principles of co-design and will work jointly with the sector and people with lived experience of disability to inform its teaching and research.

The Institute will help our social services sector develop and thrive, increasing its profile as an exciting place to work, and boosting the skills of the Victorian disability workforce.

Objective:

Facilitate continued growth of the social support and care workforce, appropriately equip the sector and workforce to deliver services, and promote the range of rewarding roles and opportunities in the sector through education, training and research.

Actions:

The Victorian Government will provide funding to support the Future Social Service Institute to:

  • Offer 2 industry fellowships and 2 PhD scholarships aimed at the social and community sector.
  • Commission programs and courses designed to fill skills gaps and also further develop the social and community sector.
  • Promote social care and support as a valuable career.

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