An innovative program helping to bridge the gap between people doing it tough and Australia’s welfare system is being extended to Canberra.

Phase 2 of the Community Partnership Pilot will expand to 15 sites across Australia, including the Early Morning Centre, a community hub supporting Canberra people experiencing or at risk of homelessness and social isolation.

“Under this pilot, Services Australia’s dedicated Community Partnership Specialist Officers (CPSOs) work on site at the participating community organisations to connect people to payments and services,” Bill Shorten MP, Minister for Government Services, announced today.

Nicole Wiggins, CEO of the Early Morning Centre and director of UnitingCare Canberra City, said the community hub is pleased to partner with Services Australia to have an onsite staff member to assist service users.

“EMC guests are among the most vulnerable Canberrans who rely on Services Australia payments,” Ms Wiggins said.

“Providing ease of access to payments and information regarding Services Australia is an invaluable addition to the range of outreach services provided at the EMC.”

• HelpingACT feeds homeless at the Early Morning Centre (13 September)
• Early Morning Centre is a lifesaver for homeless Canberrans (14 September)

Alicia Payne MP, Member for Canberra, said she looked forward to seeing the impact the partnership would have on the local community over the next 12 months.

“I’m so pleased to see such an important initiative for the most vulnerable in the Canberra community,” Ms Payne said.

“Navigating government services can be tricky for many of us, but for people who are trying to figure out where they are sleeping each night, it’s really challenging.

“Connecting people with what they need, when they need it, will make a real difference in their lives.

“This initiative provides an opportunity to explore how we can improve our local service delivery and how we can all work together to address barriers to accessing government services.

“It also helps us work together to find solutions for people in need by building a stronger partnership with The Early Morning Centre to deliver more tailored support to individuals.”

The first phase of the pilot has delivered a tailored service through partnerships with four organisations in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, and Darwin, Mr Shorten said.

Since the pilot was launched in August, the CPSOs have had more than 1,400 interactions with customers, assisting them to access additional supports on more than 1,200 occasions. For over a third of all engagements, customers have been able to get the support they need and resolve their business upon first visit.

“We’re connecting with people in a familiar setting, working alongside the organisations they already go to for help,” Mr Shorten said. “These simple and helpful interactions are building relationships with people that may have been otherwise marginalised from their community.

“One of my key priorities as Minister for Government Services has been tackling vulnerability, and the Community Partnership Pilot is a cornerstone of inclusive access to government services.”