1. 1 Barriers to Collaboration within the Community Service Sector; an Exploration

2. 2 This report has been completed for The Incubate Group by Jo-Anne Hazel and Juliet Hawkeswood, Relate Strategic.

3. Overview The Research 1.Collaboration Basics 2.Journey Case Study 3.Discussion Questions 3

4. The Research Purpose: – To better understand what it is about the community services sector that is preventing more effective collaboration. Method: – Literature Review – Interviewed 19 representatives from 14 not-for- profit organisations … Customer Journey Mapping 4

5. 1. Collaboration Basics 5

6. What is Collaboration? 6 Variable in meaning and language Working Together – Creating outcomes not possible alone Effectiveness Assumption Efficiency Assumption (government)

7. Types of Collaboration 7

8. Elements of Collaboration 8 VisionPeopleResourcesProcessesCulture

9. Element #1: Vision 9 Clarity of purpose – need/problem identification – Ideal solutions/process – Outcome goals Selecting the right partners Clear communication over time Often begins during networking Higher integration = more important

10. Element #2: People 10 Vitally important to get everyone ‘on board’ – Management/Board – leadership – Staff – doing the work – Facilitator – tie everything together/momentum Communicate the vision internally Involve the community externally

11. Element #3: Resources 11 Arguably the biggest barrier to collaboration in the community services sector Government/funding: – Efficiency drive (myth) – Not clearly defined – Contracts can act against innovative collaboration – Little financial support for the act of collaboration

12. Element #3: Resources 12 “You can start collaborating without funding, but to see it through you have to decide how to pay.” “The undercurrent is that it’s about finance – more for less.” “Collaboration is very hard to do when everyone is struggling to make ends meet.”

13. Element #4: Processes 13 Process becomes more important with higher integration projects … but for those we spoke to there were few problems. Different processes at different stages Technology for sharing client data – blue sky

14. Element #5: Culture 14 Ethnic culture is already on people’s mind … but what about organisational and project culture? Significant emphasis in the literature Not such an issue to research participants – Less integrated collaboration – Journey case study – very important

15. 2. Journey Case Study 15

16. Journey Case Study 16 This was exploratory – approach not found in collaboration literature Collaboration is truly a Journey Key points: 1.Shared vision 2.In-depth planning - facilitator 3.Commitment from all 4.Prepare for a rocky start – it takes time/work

17. The Journey 17

18. Phase 1: Pre-Collaboration 18

19. Phase 2: Set Up 19

20. Phase 3: Implementation 20

21. Phase 4: Maintenance 21

22. The Journey Revisited 22

23. The Journey 23 “When we are out in the community we get thanked in person many times and we know that we are appreciated and making a difference.” (SC)

24. 3. Discussion 24

25. Integration Current research participants tended to be collaborating ‘at arm’s length’ … but what might be the benefits of more integration? 25

26. Note on … Networking Networking reaps significant benefits, both in itself and as a precursor to more integrated collaboration … is its importance understood? 26

27. Facilitating the Journey More integrated collaboration involves a rockier journey … are organisations prepared in terms of resourcing, know-how, and cultural IQ? 27

28. Resourcing There is currently a disconnect between (government) funders and the NGOs trying to collaborate … how can they get on the same page? 28

29. Immaturity The funder-NGO disconnect leads to problems of immaturity in understanding and actioning of collaboration. 29

30. Agreement A key to removing current barriers to collaboration in the community services sector is to reach sector-wide agreement on realistic resourcing. 30

31. Where to Now? 31 Development of a Best Practice Collaboration Process Model

32. Thank you 32