Synergia - Design Realise Sustain

Issue

A review of the Child, Youth and Family Services revealed a gap in the leadership and co-ordination of services that support families. Government agreed that a new family services function would be set up within the Ministry of Social Development.

While the Ministries of Education and Health had developed comprehensive strategies for dealing with the issues and concerns within their areas of interest, there was no strategy for supporting the development of strong families.

Solution

Synergia was invited to design and facilitate the process for developing such a strategy.

To support the development of the work of this service a National Advisory Council had been formed, consisting of representatives from the major Non-Government Organisations, Maori and Pacific Island representatives, and representatives of all the major Government Agencies.

Synergia designed a process to help multiple parties with overlapping and divergent interests think through the conceptual basis and approach to developing a strategy.

Working with Maori and Pacific stakeholders ensured the resulting strategy was relevant and would assist in the practical delivery of services.

Outcome

The Family and Community Services (FACS) Strategy was developed from a blank sheet of paper, with all parties involved in an iterative process from the outset. The nature of the process and the interactions during the strategy's development resulted in a strategy that was endorsed by all participants and welcomed by the Minister.

It is increasingly recognised that successful strategies in the public sector require inter-sectoral and inter-agency support. The processes for developing such support require an understanding of the nature of collaboration and recognition of the legitimacy of the interests of those participating.