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Progressing the development of a National Organistion
for Pastoral and Spiritual Care of Older People in Australia.
A Search Conference was held as part of the National Conference by The Centre for Ageing and Pastoral Studies (CAPS) in August 2008
OUTCOMES OF THE SEARCH CONFERENCE in August 2008
The following issues provided new insights and directions as outcomes from the conference which needed to be addressed nationally.
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The need for developing social (including community) and professional recognition of the value of spiritual care.
The desirability of building a culture of holistic care and support which, embraces diversity in faiths and cultures, and access and equity in the provision of pastoral care services for the ageing.
A requirement for education and training for pastoral carers with a theological and philosophical underpinning – coordinated and common standards - accreditation.
The establishment of national peak body for spiritual care in aged care.
Provision of sustainable funding and resources.
The establishing a quality research base with a theological and philosophical perspective, which is foundational to the practice of Spiritual and Pastoral Care. |
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As a result of the Search Conference held at the National Conference by The Centre for Ageing and Pastoral Studies (CAPS) in August 2008 there has been activity amongst a group of interested persons to forward an association to support those who provide pastoral and spiritual care to older people.
Over a period of discussions and meetings over the period
from August 2008 – September 2010 draft proposals for an Alliance were developed:
Around twenty five people attended a workshop held on 25 June 2009 in Melbourne. The aims were to clearly identify the goals of a pastoral care and ageing group, to identify links with other organisations and to set directions for the way forward. A steering committee was formed.
At a meeting in Melbourne in October, it was agreed that a stand alone organisation be progressed with the three key elements to be education, training and support for practitioners of pastoral and spiritual care. The Steering Committee acknowledged the multidisciplinary and multifaith nature of this emerging organisation. It was further agreed that an alliance be formed with other organisations and or sponsors, who would have representatives attend meetings.
The work of developing the Title (National Alliance for Pastoral and Spiritual Care of Older People in Australia - NAPSCOPA), Vision, Mission Statement and Objectives commenced at the meeting in October in Melbourne and were refined via email communications and a telephone conference.
Resolution that NAPSCOPA be an activity of CAPS.
Summary of a strategy resolved at a meeting of the Steering Committee and any interested persons during the 5th CAPS Conference September 2010.
- NAPSCOPA be an activity of CAPS
- CAPS to provide office space
- Framework for progressing NAPSCOPA be forwarded to the CAPS Board
- NAPSCOPA to be an alliance of sponsoring/member associations [NOT individual members] (using the National Aged Care Alliance model).
- Sponsor/Member Associations to provide funds for secretariat services/project officer.
- NAPSCOPA to be multi-disciplinary with regard to sponsor/member associations.
- NAPSCOPA to be advocacy focused (dealing with Governments).
- The role of Spiritual Care Australia (SCA) in ageing to be related to issues of registration and accreditation, not education or research, which are recognised as the role of CAPS.
- The NAPSCOPA Objectives will be revised in light of the current activities of CAPS and SCA and any areas of overlap will be removed in recognition of the work already being done by these organisations. It may be valuable to have cross representation of a CAPS and SCA member.
- The Steering Committee has completed their task of moving the process forward.
The Board of CAPS in December 2010 adopted the recommendations that CAPS be the body organising the establishment of NAPSCOPA, noting that CAPS could not offer the financial support needed for its development.
CAPS has established a Task Group which is now addressing the process of establishing the Alliance.
A strategy was adopted at an intial meeting of a Task Group March 2011.
- Project Officer : CAPS will provide office space and other workplace resources for a Project Officer.
- Financial Support: Funding required for salary of Project Officer from sponsoring organisations. Financial support is to be sought from peak body/umbrella organisations.
The deadline for financial commitment by 30 June to enable the recruitment of a Project Officer to promote membership of the Alliance and develop a Workshop.
- Workshop: The Alliance will be launched with a national workshop to discuss and prioritise issues that sponsoring and member organisations present, in line with the objectives of NAPSCOPA.
The task will be to be launch the Alliance by inviting all organisations responsible for care of older people across Australia, to become members and join in a national workshop, possibly in March 2012, to develop a strategic plan that will advance the critical issues involved with pastoral and spiritual care of older people across all areas of living arrangements.
As of 1st July, the focus has been on gaining financial support from potential member organisations. Rather than initially embark on an extensive membership drive of organisations responsible for care of older people, we believe it is preferable to invite twelve key organisations to become foundation sponsors by providing initial seeding finance to establish the Alliance. The organisations were selected on the basis of seeking a representation of the national diversity.
The target needed this year is to have at least $50,000 to cover the salary of a part
time project officer (hopefully beginning in August 2011), and assist in the convening of
a national workshop. This position will be based in Canberra at the Centre for Ageing
and Pastoral Studies. We were thrilled at the response which augurs well to confirm that this Alliance is a timely development. As of the beginning of August we already had sufficient funds in hand to select and appoint a Hilde Abma Project Office on a two day per week basis until mid 2012.
CONTACT:
Hilde Abma
Project Officer
(02) 6272 6205
habma@csu.edu.au
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