About Us

Table of contents:
NTCOSS and what we do
Members and key stakeholders
The role of NTCOSS
How we operate
Who does the work of NTCOSS
Our Board Members
Our vision
Our goals
The COSS network
Contact details

What is NTCOSS and What does it do?

The Northern Territory Council of Social Service (NTCOSS) is a peak body for the Social and Community Sector in the NT and an advocate for social justice on behalf of people and communities in the NT, who may be affected by poverty and disadvantage.

Who are the members and key stakeholders of NTCOSS?

NTCOSS has a broad membership  base, which is made up of non government and community organisations, Indigenous organisations, and community councils across the NT as well as other organisations and individuals who are committed to social justice issues for people and communities who are socially and financially disadvantaged in the NT.

NTCOSS is governed by a Board which includes broad representation from across the Social and Community Sector in the NT, including regional representatives and representatives from the range of social policy areas.

The Board and staff of NTCOSS work closely with its members, the general community, government policy officers, service providers and funding bodies, the media, politicians, business, other State and Territory Councils of Social Service and the Australian Council of Social Service, to address priority social policy and sector issues.

What role does NTCOSS play?

NTCOSS plays a coordination, advocacy, policy and sector development, and leadership and information role for the Social and Community Sector in the NT.

This includes:

• Sector Development – provision of industry support and advice to the Social and Community Sector, including training and advice on community management issues and on running an organisation, e.g. administration, staff management, finance and funding issues. It also includes undertaking specific sector development and capacity building projects.
• Advocacy on behalf of the Sector, to Government, in relation to industry issues, e.g. funding issues, workforce issues such as changes to the SACS Award, introduction of new funding guidelines, and legislation and the impact of these changes on the Sector, etc.
• Social Policy and Advocacy – NTCOSS undertakes policy development, analysis and research on social policy issues and develops policy positions that reflect the views of the Social and Community Sector and their consumers. Social Policy Areas include – community services, income support, employment, education, housing and homelessness, law and justice and social policy in relation to the range of different population groups, e.g. Indigenous people, young people and people with disabilities etc. NTCOSS helps shape the public policy agenda by responding to Government proposals and by advocating to Government on the concerns of the Social and Community Sector and their constituencies.
• Advocacy in relation to social justice issues for people and communities in the NT who are socially and financially disadvantaged.
• Information for members and stakeholders – e.g. regular newsletters and updates, access to a resource library as well as a comprehensive directory and electronic database of community services in the NT, etc.
• A Territory specific focus to national issues throughout the State, Territory and National Council of Social Service network.

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How does NTCOSS operate?

NTCOSS operates on a collaborative and participatory approach. Working groups, hosting and facilitating conferences and forums on key issues and establishing partnerships on a project and ongoing basis are some of the ways that people are involved in the work of NTCOSS. Gathering information through State, Territory and National links, conducting reviews and research and the two ways sharing of information through a regular Newsletter, updates and forums ensures that the advice, comment and advocacy role of NTCOSS is well informed. NTCOSS provides a voice on the needs and interests of Territorians on a range of Territory and National groups.

Who does the work of NTCOSS?

NTCOSS is made up of a small group of core staff – an Executive Director, and Office Coordinator, a Policy Officer in Central Australia, as well as project officers who are employed on a short term to longer-term basis around specific projects. NTCOSS has an office in Darwin and an office in Alice Springs.

In addition, as previously noted, NTCOSS operates on a participatory basis, which involves a number of players, e.g. Board Members, co-opted advisors in priority policy areas, working groups and committees, as well as the development of strategic alliances with other peak/Territory bodies etc. To meet the NTCOSS staff please click this link

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Our Board Members

Executive Board Members 

Bernie Dwyer - NTCOSS President

Tracey Brand - NTCOSS Vice President & ACOSS Representative

Vicki O'Halloran - NTCOSS Secretary

Barry Hansen - NTCOSS Treasurer

Caitlin Perry - NTCOSS Executive Member

Wendy Morton - Public Officer

Board Members 

Abdul Khan

Janet Buhagiar

Gary Halliday

Ron Mitchell

Robyn Lesley

Raquel Nicholls-Skene

Ali Nur

Helen Hazard

Jane Vadiveloo

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Our vision

A fair, inclusive and sustainable Northern Territory where all individuals and communities have the resources they need to participate in and benefit from social and economic life.

Our goals

• A community in which all people have the opportunities and resources they need in order to participate in and benefit from all aspects of social and economic life.
• A strong, sustainable community sector
• A well governed and resourced peak body

• NTCOSS priorities for allocating resources are determined by considering the following criteria: 
  An assessment of the impact on disadvantaged Territorians
• Whether another organisation or peak has taken the lead in the campaign
• Whether NTCOSS has the resources and expertise required to have a positive impact or strategic influence on the issue.
• A consideration of Environmental Economic and Social Sustainability.
   

The COSS Network

Australia's Councils of Social Service (COSS’s) are the peak councils of the community welfare sector and the principal voice for people affected by poverty and disadvantage.

Where are the COSS'

There are nine independent organisations, (one for each state and territory in Australia and a national body), which work together to reduce poverty and promote social justice.

Key Areas

The COSS network is active on many fronts in key areas of social and economic policy, including:

• social security and income support

• community services

• health, including mental health

• housing and urban development

• law and justice

• rural and regional communities

• Indigenous communities -- rights and reconciliation

• economic development and taxation

• employment, education and training

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Contact details for the COSS

Please click on the names of the State/Territory for links to each COSS

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