Welcome to the Reports page of the Waterloo Human Services website! This is your go-to source for accessing a variety of reports from both the collaborative and its members, as well as those independently commissioned.

Our reports are ideal for those seeking insightful and comprehensive evaluations and research findings, which can be used to gain a better understanding of the human services landscape in the Waterloo . Whether you are a policymaker, practitioner, academic or just interested in social issues, our reports offer valuable insights and data.

The collaborative works in collaboration with various local, state and national stakeholders .

Our members, which include government agencies, non-government, academic institutions, and community groups and individuals also contribute their valuable time for the research, sharing their views and expertise in a range of areas.

Co-governance case study Waterloo Human Services Collaborative

Discover the success story of the Waterloo Human Services Collaborative Group in pioneering co-governance. Uncover how a decade of community pressure led to a transformative shift towards shared decision-making. Witness the evolution from initiation to steady implementation, marked by increased trust and tangible outcomes.

While the group’s unity is evident in their shared goals, the impact of co-governance on day-to-day operations remains ambiguous. However, its influence extends beyond the group, shaping organisational behaviour and fostering collaboration.

Explore how this unique co-governance model intersects with various ‘co-‘ initiatives, creating a dynamic ecosystem for participation and implementation.

Join us as we combine insights from this case study with others to drive future policy development.  Full copy of the report can be viewed below.

For more information on this groundbreaking project led by UNSW’s Social Policy Research Centre, visit https://www.unsw.edu.au/research/sprc/our-projects/how-can-co-governance-arrangements-develop-better-policy

Note : This project is being undertaken by the Social Policy Research Centre (SPRC), UNSW Sydney, funded by the Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZOR) and the NSW Government (the NSW Cabinet Office, as well as Customer Service, Regional NSW, and the NSW Public Service Commission).

Waterloo Human service collaborative thank them for their independent research of our progress so far and for sharing their useful insights.

Source: Shona Haigh F (2024). Co-governance Case Studies: Waterloo Collaborative Group. Sydney: UNSW Social Policy Research Centre. A project funded by ANZSOG and the NSW Government. https://doi.org/10.26190/unsworks/30312

Waterloo Public Housing Tenants Survey

In 2023, the Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity at UNSW were commissioned to conduct an online survey of the Waterloo public housing tenants by the Waterloo Human Services Collaborative Group to inform the Waterloo Human Services Action Plan and to give us a baseline data set.  

The Action Plan has six priority areas focusing on the existing and ongoing needs of that community.

The survey aimed to help us better understand four areas prioritised by the Action Plan: the health and wellbeing of the tenants, safety and experience of crime, their experience with government and community services, and their attitudes about the Waterloo community. 

• 320 residents completed a survey between 3 February and 26 June 2023. 
• Most respondents completed the survey in English (85%), 10% in Chinese, 5% in Russian and less than 2% in Vietnamese. 
• Most respondents were male (56%) and aged 55-74 years (52%).  
• Almost 17% of respondents were Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.  
• 23% of respondents spoke a language other than English most often at home (23%).  

Below you will find,  the overall Waterloo Public Housing Tenants Survey report.

There is also a useful 4-page summary report  which may be used for distribution to tenants group meetings, and key stakeholder groups along with a 1-page highlights primarily for distribution to the tenants via local human service news and information distribution sources.

Waterloo Public Housing Tenants Survey report

Summary Reports

Waterloo Action Plan: Qualitative Study

The Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity (CPHCE) at UNSW was requested by the Collaborative in 2023 to undertake an implementation review of the Action Plan to consider how well the partnership was working and to identify barriers and enablers to the Plan’s implementation.

The report includes several components, including the functioning and partnerships of the Waterloo Human Services Collaborative Group and its two Waterloo Coordination Groups, the current status of the processes and implementation of the plan and the impact of the plan. The report also feature a program logic model for the plan, aiding in a better understanding of the activities and outcomes associated with it.

Associate Professor Margo Barr, Associate Professor Fiona Haigh, Dr Cathy O’Callaghan, Margaret Williamson and Katherine Meikle where the researchers and the report was funded by NSW Department of Communities and Justice