About
Who We Are
The Queensland Community Services Futures Forum (Futures Forum) is an independent coalition of over 40 state-wide human services, peak organisations, service providers and networks across the whole of Queensland.
The Futures Forum brings together the collective wisdom of the Queensland Not-for-profit Health & Community Services Sector (the Sector) to:
- Provide a forum for the exchange of ideas and information;
- Engage in strategic analysis and future thinking about where we want the sector to be, and how we can position ourselves for ongoing improvement; and
- Identify activities that can serve as vehicles for proactive change.
Promoting the contribution the Sector makes towards a fair and just society for all Queenslanders is a part of our core business.
You can read our Terms of Reference.
You can find out more about our members.
What We Do
The Forum reviews its activities every year. In July 2010, members met to consider the emerging issues and priorities for the sector in the next twelve months. At this meeting "Increasing the recognition of the unique contribution of the Community Services Sector by the broader community" was identified as the Forum's key strategic goal.
You can check out the Futures Forum 2010-2011 Action Plan here.
The Queensland Community Services Sector
The Queensland Community Services Sector incorporates a range of service delivery, community development, social justice, and advocacy organisations operating across a range of areas, including but not limited to: health, housing, employment, disability, aged care, services for children and young people, Indigenous affairs and multicultural affairs.
While the sector may include organisations working within these areas, inclusion in the community services sector is less about the specific service being provided and more about commitments to a set of shared values. Organisations which are not-for-profit, community based and which agree with the shared vision and central values as articulated in the Charter are considered to be part of the community services sector.
CLICK HERE FOR A FULL COPY OF THE CHARTER
Our Charter
Our Shared Vision
The Queensland Community Services Sector will strive for a fair and just society for all.
We will do this by providing effective, inclusive human services; by supporting communities to build skills and find solutions; and by advocating to remedy disadvantage in our society.
Together we will build a community services sector that is strong and sustainable, comprised of organisations that are committed to shared values.
While the sector may include organisations working within these areas, inclusion in the community services sector is less about the specific service being provided and more about commitments to a set of shared values. Organisations which are not-for-profit, community based and which agree with the shared vision and central values as articulated in the Charter are considered to be part of the community services sector.
Our Shared Values
- As a sector, we uphold and advance fundamental human rights
- We embrace all forms of diversity, including cultural and linguistic diversity
- We stand for self-determination and an end to disadvantage for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- We believe in cooperation and participation, rather than competition
- Excellence: We value the commitment, knowledge and skills of the paid and unpaid workers within our sectors
- Independence: We affirm the importance of our autonomy from government and commercial interests to maintain diverse voices and approaches within a democratic society.
Our sector's work is underpinned by a shared commitment to advancing the well-being of individuals, communities and our society as a whole
The Role of QCOSS
The Queensland Council of Social Service (QCOSS) has traditionally played a leadership role in cross-sectoral issues to help build and promote a strong community services sector.
A part of this work has been to play a strong role in the Futures Forum by facilitating its operations and providing resources to progress the Forum’s actions. This is done by the provision of secretariat support, and the QCOSS Director acting as the Forum’s Co-chair.
Members of the Forum do not have to be members of QCOSS, and all members of the Forum (including QCOSS), can participate in its activities.
