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Organisational Development

Sound leadership and management are integral to UnitingCare Wesley Port Adelaide’s (UCWPA) strategic response to community need. Our management systems involve a focus on clarity of roles and responsibilities, robust systems which support both internal and external accountability with stakeholder and consumer access to decision-making and information. Opportunities to expand our services are pursued to enable our organisation to better build on the strengths of community.

Excellence in leadership and management is important at UCWPA because it:

• Underpins the level of confidence that our stakeholders have in our organisation;
• Effects the quality of our outputs, particularly in relation to better planning, decisions, and implementation and, in turn, better outcomes;
• Is a value-added activity because by being in touch with the needs and expectations of our stakeholders the organisation is more likely to be able to take advantage of new opportunities and ideas;
• Ensures that the organisation meets its legislative responsibilities, minimising risks to our stakeholders of non-compliance; and
• Is a strong reminder of the ultimate accountability of our organisation to the community it serves. Key systems including financial and performance management underpin this accountability and provide the basis for reliable reporting.

As a clear statement of our commitment to service excellence, all UCWPA services aim to comply with relevant external and internal standards. This ensures our accountability to clients and funding bodies alike. Internal and external audits, as well as monitoring and evaluation are, therefore, important and regular activities across UCWPA services.

UnitingCare Wesley Port Adelaide is committed to the provision of quality services which:

• are provided on the basis of relative need;
• inform clients about their rights and responsibilities;
• involve clients in the planning and assessment of service delivery;
• are planned, reliable and flexible to meet ongoing needs;
• maintain client privacy and confidentiality, and ensure client access to personal information;
• include complaint mechanisms;
• ensure client access to an advocate if required;
• meet relevant standards, regulations, reporting and legislative requirements.

The Quality, Safety and Risk Management Council provides ongoing operational leadership of continuous quality improvement activities at UCWPA. The responsibilities of the Committee include:

• Oversee the development and implementation of plans and work programs in relation to safety, quality and risk management issues affecting UCWPA.
• Review and monitor safety, quality and risk management activities, on a quarterly basis, against agreed performance indicators.
• Receive reports from OHSW & Injury Management Steering Committee and Aged Care and Community Services sectors of the organisation, and other reports relating to Finance & Administration, ISC and Corporate Services as required.
• Decide whether undertaking specific additional activity in relation to any adverse event is likely to be in the interests of the organisation, clients and/or staff.
• Review and drive decision-making in relation to proposed changes in systems, processes or behaviours that have potential to improve safety, efficiency or workplace culture. This may include making recommendations to relevant services regarding resource needs, training needs, facilities/equipment or technology needs and/or the development of relevant policies and procedures.
• Respond to opportunities and initiatives arising from external bodies and networks – e.g. Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency, WorkCover, Standards Australia, Commonwealth and State government departments etc.
• Ensure that all UCWPA services meet all relevant externally recognised standards and accreditation to the highest possible level. 

The Organisational Chart of UCWPA illustrates the way in which the organisation operates. All services are developed in response to clients needs and reflect the values of UCWPA. The infrastructure that exists ensures a professional service is provided to the community. The Organisational Structure illustrates the lines of reporting and key responsibilities of staff.