Policy Papers

Policy Development

The policy development, analysis and research component of Psychiatric Disability Services of Victoria (VICSERV) initiates and responds to issues in the mental health and psychiatric disability support (PDS) systems. Through consultation with the PDS sector, Psychiatric Disability Services of Victoria (VICSERV) engages with relevant government departments on policy development, service planning and service delivery. Recent policy papers and reports issued include:

Future Directions For Day Programs 2003- 2004

This topic was explored in a our survey and consultation report. The work resulted in the publication in 2006 of Into Community: Day Programs past, present and future Available at the VICSERV bookstore

The Consultation Report from the Day Program Working Group 2003 - 2004 and the survey of Psychosocial Day Programs in Victoria is available here.

pdf file 317 kb or word file 693 kb

VICSERV Report of the Findings on the Sector Consultation (Questionnaire) on Supervision and Ethics December 2003

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Psychiatric Disability Services of Victoria (VICSERV)'s Consultation Report February 2002

Defining the Role and Functions of the PDRS Sector: The VICSERV Consultation Report and Recommendations to DHS.

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Psychiatric Disability Services of Victoria (VICSERV)'s Industry Viability Submission

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Issues being developed include:

• Helping to define and articulate the core functions of PDS services by stimulating debate About the nature of psychosocial rehabilitation and clarifying the PDS role in early intervention;
• Ensuring that PDS services are evaluated, and that developments are based on research. In particular participating in the move towards outcome measurement;
• Supporting improvements to routine data collection in the sector, so that systems are user-friendly and produce useable information;
• Supporting further development of the Psychiatric Disability Services of Victoria (VICSERV) Library on research and practice issues;
• Developing and reviewing policy positions on Primary Care Partnerships, young people and mental health, service models and their funding;
• Continuing to offer consultancy, support and networking to member organisations to ensure good practice.