The overarching discussion revolved around MBCP providers working in collaboration to support each other and the sector. The Network spoke openly about the underlying theme to break down barriers within the sector around the sharing of information, knowledge and expertise.
Discussion lead to the identification of a number of agreed items that were important to be part of the purpose of the network:
- To be a collective voice for MBCP agencies so that the sector can develop a stronger, more influential voice.
- To facilitate sharing of resources, facilitators, providing good quality supervision for facilitators through the pooling knowledge and resources
- Promote collaborative working
- To provide a platform from which agencies currently providing MBCP services can specialise and seek out opportunities to expand and innovate ideas and practice
- To provide a whole of market/sector view
- To better understand and promote research and evidence based practice
- To work with providers to develop consistent outcome measures
- To support the development of relationships with specialist women’s services and facilitate opportunities to work together
- To develop relationships with Government and other relevant bodies
- To address the issue of workforce development, in particular the shortage of male facilitators
- To develop a profile for MBCP agencies and establish methods of articulating the services, and benefits the sector provides
- To assist in the development of an accreditation framework for WA
- To create opportunities for WA to contribute to Australia wide practice
