The primary community service agency in North South Wales (NSW) called Community Services launched an NGO Learning Centre. Community Services is a child protection agency, and it is the largest in Australia. Its primary goal is to create better, safer communities for everyone living in Australia, particularly for the children. It works with the government as well as groups within various communities. It wants to create a positive start for children, and give them access to resources and agencies that they need to create the best future possible. The Learning and Development Branch, the branch responsible for expanding Community Services and creating new opportunities, has two projects: the NGO Training Program (courses about child protection) and the Specialist Homelessness Services (to support the homeless in NSW).
Recently, Community Services launched an NGO Learning Centre, or an online portal that gives free access to resources and training for those who provide support to the community, through aiding families, children, or adolescents. This online portal aims to help organization issues (reduction of costs and increase of productivity) and increase of knowledge of the learner. It is flexible, allowing the learner to have their own pace. It also encourages members to share information and knowledge, and to collaborate.
Community Services already offered face to face training, but Community Services launched an NGO Learning Centre to allow all people in NSW to have access to those same courses and training without having to leave the comfort of their own homes. The content will be updated regularly, and includes a course called “Keep Them Safe.” There are also webinars, or online seminars with a facilitator, resource-sharing, and practice based discussions. It is still relatively small since it is so new, but in time it will develop courses, webinars, and resources offered.
To learn more about the learning center, watch this YouTube video.
– Corina Balsamo
Sources: Community Services News, NGO Learning Centre, Family & Community Services
Photo: Sarah Wilson