Major external reviews 1 shows details of major external reviews carried out on the Department. Table 1 – Major external reviews Major review Conducted by Purpose Completed Managing Public Sector Records VAGO To determine whether agencies are managing public records according to legislative requirements and whether the Public Record Office of Victoria (PROV) is effectively assisting agencies to do this. The audit also looked at whether the Department of Premier and Cabinet (DPC) is supporting PROV to effectively oversee agency records management. 8 March 2017 Managing School Infrastructure audit VAGO To assess how effectively the Department of Education and Training is planning for and managing programs to deliver maintenance work, build new schools and upgrade schools. 11 May 2017 Managing School Infrastructure VAGO To determine whether the Department has effectively planned for and managed school assets. 11 May 2017 Performance VAGO To examine whether public sector boards are effectively governing the agencies for which they are responsible. 11 May 2017 Inquiry into Services for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder The Family and Community Development Committee To inquire into, consider and report on services for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Victoria. 22 June 2017 Follow-up of selected 2014–15 performance audits School Costs for Families VAGO To determine whether accepted audit recommendations have been effectively addressed. 22 June 2017 -
Core business 18 School staff Cambodia – 1 trip – 4 trips Germany – 1 trip – 1 trip Mexico – 1 trip Philippines – 1 trip Singapore – 3 trips Korea – 1 trip United States of America – 2 trips Vietnam – 3 trips Establishment of core operational requirements including school agreements, facilitating school curriculum, and developing/maintaining accreditation. Development of school and student learning opportunities. Educational exports 3 School staff – 2 trips India – 1 trip Improved bilateral relations and the promotion of the Victorian education system. Promotion of the International Student Program through events such as educational roadshows. International Student Recruitment 61 School staff Cambodia – 1 trip China – 32 trips Germany – 2 Italy – 2 trips Japan – 2 trips Malaysia – 2 trips Singapore – 1 trip Thailand – 1 trip Vietnam – 18 trips Recruitment of international students to increase participation in Victoria’s International Schools Program. Leading Asia Capable Schools (LACS) Program 12 School China – 12 trips Attendance at a 10 day immersion experience in China at the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics (SUFE). Establishment of with Australian and Chinese businesses to support the development of work ready ‘Asia capabilities’ in students. Sister Schools 68 School staff China – 32 trips France – 2 trips Germany – 6 trips India – 1 trip Indonesia – 4 trips Italy – 1 trip Japan – 16 trips Philippines – 1 trip Reunion Island – 1 trip South Korea – 1 trip Establishment and maintenance of international sister school relationships to provide students and staff with the opportunity to further their learning and development in a global context. Improved relationships with sister schools that facilitate knowledge sharing, best-practice teaching, and improve student outcomes.
Education Board To provide executive oversight of the development and implementation of the Education State reform agenda and related activities, including setting the strategic direction, objectives, policies and initiatives. The Education State Board met fortnightly during 2016–17. Its focus was on the development, implementation and governance of the Education State reform agendas and in maintaining a coherent policy narrative across education sectors. Key highlights include the development and release of the Early Childhood Development Reform Plan, the release, implementation and delivery of Skills First, and the ongoing implementation and monitoring of the Education State in Schools reforms. Executive Board To provide stewardship of the Department and support the Secretary with strategic leadership of the organisation, its agencies and portfolios. The Executive met fortnightly during 2016–17. The Board set the Department’s strategic direction and performance targets, and oversaw performance, operations, compliance, leadership and culture. Executive Development and Remuneration Committee The Executive Development and Remuneration Committee ensures a consistent and rigorous approach to setting and adjusting executive officer remuneration as well as addressing their individual development needs. The Executive Development and Remuneration Committee met five times in 2016–17 to approve individual remuneration and performance outcomes for executive officers in accordance with government guidelines. The Committee considered and approved the executive officer continuous professional development program and the executive officer development centre program. The Committee also developed and implemented a rotation program for executives. Information Management and Technology Committee The Information Management and Technology Committee (IMTC) provides strategic oversight of the Department's information management and technology functions, priorities and systems, including information security. All departmental information management and technology initiatives must be presented to the IMTC for endorsement before their funding proposal is submitted to BFMC or the Executive Board considers them for approval. The Committee met on a monthly basis in 2016–17 to provide strategic oversight of the Department’s information management and information, communication and technology priorities, ensuring that projects are in in line with Department and whole of Victorian Government direction. The Committee monitored the implementation of all major information management and IT related projects, contracts and contract renewals to validate their effective delivery.
Integrity Committee The Integrity Committee supports the Secretary to provide oversight and assurance that the actions and activities undertaken by staff employed by the Department (including schools) are conducted with integrity. The committee oversees work that supports all staff within corporate areas and schools to understand and uphold the highest standards of integrity and public trust, and to resist corruption. In relation to portfolio statutory entities, the TAFE sector and funded services, the Committee undertakes a stewardship role that reflects the Department’s governance responsibilities and operational relationships with these bodies. The Integrity Committee met on a six- weekly basis in 2016–17. The Committee oversaw the effective implementation of the Integrity Reform Program with a focus on good governance and policy, ethical leadership, staff development and support and smart systems and controls. The Committee continued to lead the development of a culture led by the Department’s values: integrity, respect, responsiveness, accountability, impartiality, leadership and human rights. Marrung Central Governance Committee To monitor and advise on the implementation of Marrung: Aboriginal Education Plan The Committee is part of a broader governance mechanism that ensures accountability for Marrung, including Regional Partnership Forums and VAEAI’s Koorie Education Roundtables. Convened in July 2016, the Marrung Central Governance Committee met four times during 2016–17 and reviewed regional implementation plans. Performance and Evaluation Committee The Performance and Evaluation Committee supports a approach to performance monitoring and evaluation that is integrated, consistent and comprehensive. The Committee met monthly in 2016–17 and oversaw DET’s reporting against DET’s frameworks for monitoring delivery and outcomes. The Committee focused on the monitoring of significant DET evaluations, including the communication of findings and actions in response. Policy and Implementation Committee The Policy and Implementation Committee (PIC) oversees the development, implementation and evaluation of strategically significant policy initiatives to strengthen Victoria’s education services and assets. The Committee draws on the expertise of all staff and the teaching workforce to bring a ‘whole of lifecycle’ approach to policy development and execution. The Committee met monthly in 2016–17 and considered strategic, cross-portfolio policy initiatives and implementation proposals. The Committee considered policy and implementation papers, drawing on the expertise and perspectives of members representing all groups across the Department to ensure guidance and decision-making reflects a position.
Procurement and Probity Committee The Procurement and Probity Committee (PPC) provides strategic oversight of procurement activities within the Department to ensure appropriate rigour has been exercised in accordance with the Department’s procurement policy. In doing so, the PPC supports the Secretary’s obligations to Victorian Government Purchasing Board (VGPB) policy, under the Financial Management Act 1994. The Committee considers procurement of goods and services in statutory authorities (Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority, Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority and Merit Protection Board). The Committee does not consider procurement related to construction or property. The committee met on a monthly basis in 2016–17 and, in addition to providing strategic oversight of procurement activities, the Committee: endorsed the Departmental procurement activity plan reviewed its procurement framework and policy to ensure ongoing alignment with VGPB supply policies updated its procurement capability plan to improve procurement capability, risk monitoring and compliance completed its annual assessment against its terms of reference to identify areas working well and opportunities for improvement. School Policy and Funding Advisory Council The School Policy and Funding Advisory Council provides advice to the Minister for Education on regulatory, policy and funding matters affecting government and non-government schools (NGS). The School Policy and Funding Advisory Council met six times in and continued to deliver on a comprehensive cross-sector work plan, providing advice to the Minister on key policy reforms to support improved outcomes for students through the Education State. Key achievements to support the Education State included: establishing a commitment to achieve Education State targets developing the 2017 NGS Memorandum of Understanding and Funding Agreement progressing key policy issues such as school leadership, arts education and the NGS Program overseeing two cross-sectoral pilots to support better social cohesion in Victorian schools mapping existing cross-sectoral partnerships to identify sites for future collaboration. Student Resource Package Consultative Committee The Student Resource Package Consultative Committee consists of key stakeholder organisations and provides a framework for consultation to consider policy and operational impacts of changes in school resourcing. The Committee is guided by terms of reference to ensure policy congruence with the research, development and maintenance of the current SRP funding model. The Committee met eight times in 2016–17. In the past year the Committee has considered and provided feedback on a significant number of resource- related including: school funding reform student support services the National Disability Insurance Scheme camps, sports and excursions funding analysis of resources in schools. trial,
Ernst & Young To review the current presentation and content of the DET Quarterly Workforce Report 20-May-16 30-Jun-17 31,818 31,200 0 Ernst & Young To support the review, design and implementation of schools procurement capability 24-May-16 26-May-17 858,990 858,990 0 Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu To provide business and financial advice to support the educator to child ratio requirement 26-May-16 30-Jun-17 453,482 398,321 55,160 PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) To provide specialist expertise to lead the delivery of key financial management reform projects as part of the Department's Procurement and Financial Management Reforms 27-May-16 30-Jun-17 732,972 560,388 172,584 KPMG To provide project implementation and policy development expertise for the implementation of Vocational Education and Training (VET) reforms 01-Jun-16 15-Jul-16 363,636 205,627 0 KPMG To review the Early Childhood Agreement for children in out of home care 07-Jun-16 30-Dec-16 108,982 108,982 0 KPMG To provide Project Support to establish the Victorian School Building Authority 07-Jun-16 20-Dec-16 450,865 378,323 0 ACIL Allen Consulting Pty Ltd To evaluate the student mentoring pilot program 10-Jun-16 31-Dec-17 62,154 47,858 20,511 Summit Consulting Solutions To conduct a Budget and Finance review for Higher Education and Skills Group 13-Jun-16 30-Nov-16 150,479 150,479 0
Nous Group Pty Ltd To conduct a cost/benefit analysis of current school review arrangements and explore alternative models of review—Exploring models of school review project 08-Aug-16 31-Dec-16 297,278 203,770 93,508 Landell Corporation Pty Ltd To review existing policies and practices for travel, fleet vehicles and fuel cards; to design new or improve current policies and practices; and lead the implementation (Travel, Fleet and Fuel Cards PFM Reform Project) 10-Aug-16 21-Jun-17 133,682 133,682 0 I and J Management Services To undertake consultations and deliver written findings on Panorama reporting requirements for regions, areas and networks 17-Aug-16 30-Sep-16 38,500 38,500 0 I and J Management Services To evaluate the Strategic Partnerships Program 22-Aug-16 31-Oct-16 54,615 54,615 0 Dandolo Partners To evaluate the Musical Futures Australia Professional Learning Programs 15-Sep-16 31-Mar-18 199,100 79,640 119,460 KPMG To provide project management services to the Early Childhood Reform project 26-Sep-16 21-Oct-16 40,500 40,500 0 Deloitte Access Economics To provide financial modelling services to the Early Childhood Reform project 26-Sep-16 31-Dec-16 55,000 50,000 0 KPMG To develop the Infrastructure Business Case for the Early Childhood Procurement project 28-Sep-16 26-Oct-16 111,375 111,375 0
PTR Consulting To evaluate the role and strategy of WISE: School Improvement Partners 01-Oct-16 31-Dec-16 46,200 46,200 0 Nous Group Pty Ltd To provide advice on the content and process of early childhood reforms 16-Oct-16 15-Jan-17 50,000 20,694 0 Pinnacle Australia To provide advice, review and refine the Childhood and School Education People and Culture Program 17-Oct-16 19-Jan-17 18,182 13,460 0 The Learning First Group To conduct the Professional Learning Communities Developmental and Impact Evaluation 28-Oct-16 30-Apr-18 1,963,636 237,783 1,725,854 Hall & Partners Open Mind Pty Ltd To ascertain the information sharing policy and its operational impacts, including legislative and privacy impacts. 03-Nov-16 11-Nov-16 30,000 30,000 0 KPMG To consult with ICT suppliers, schools, and other stakeholders to test and refine the Framework, ensure it is fit for purpose, and prepare for full implementation in Phase 2—Conditions of Connection Framework Phase 1B project 10-Nov-16 30-Apr-17 141,073 96,143 59,037 PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) To develop a business case to provide a rationale for, and support the budget bid for ongoing funding of Skills and Jobs Centres (SJCs) 14-Nov-16 31-Jan-17 100,000 67,962 0
EFFECTIVE COLLECTIVE Professional Services (Research, Leadership and Professional Development) 19,700 EIRE ELECTRICAL SERVICES PTY LTD Utilities, Infrastructure/Sustainability, Transport and Project Management Services 2,640 ELGIN ECONOMICS Professional Services 1,248 ELMO LEARNING SERVICES PTY LTD Professional Services (Research, Leadership and Professional Development) 212,450 EMPIRED LTD IT Project Management Services 52,313 ENABLE WORKPLACE CONSULTING PTY LTD Professional Services 1,080 ENDEAVOUR FOUNDATION Education Services 733 ENSKILLS LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT Education Services 7,389 AND YOUNG Financial, Accounting, Audit, Taxation, Risk Management, Insurance Service 2,203,029 EUAN FERGUSON PTY LTD Professional Services 35,927 EXPERIAN AUSTRALIA PTY LTD Publishing, Printing, Promotions and Communications or Marketing Services 223,361 EYRES AND ASSOCIATES Professional Services (Research, Leadership and Professional Development) 9,140 FASTECH PTY LTD IT Project Management Services 151 FEDERATION UNIVERSITY AUSTRALIA Professional Services 13,000 FINSBURY GREEN PTY LTD Publishing, Printing, Promotions and Communications or Marketing Services 48,962
MAGIC WORDS INTERNATIONAL Professional Services (Research, Leadership and Professional Development) 2,455 MALBON Publishing, Printing, Promotions and Communications or Marketing Services 2,080 MANAGING VALUES PTY LTD Professional Services (Research, Leadership and Professional Development) 84,220 MARBEANGROOK CONSULTING Professional Services 3,350 MARRADON CONSTRUCTIONS PTY LTD Utilities, Infrastructure/Sustainability, Transport and Project Management Services 287,578 MARSH PTY LTD Financial, Accounting, Audit, Taxation, Risk Management, Insurance Service 1,867,321 MARY JEAN GALLAGHER AND ASSOCIATES Professional Services 44,320 MATHEMATICAL ASSOCIATION VIC Professional Services (Research, Leadership and Professional Development) 43,037 MATRIX PSYCHOLOGY SERVICES Professional Services 480 MAYFAIR MANAGEMENT PTY LTD Professional Services (Research, Leadership and Professional Development) 10,100 MCARTHUR (VIC) PTY LTD Professional Services (Research, Leadership and Professional Development) 500 MEDIALINK PRODUCTIONS Professional Services 57,763 MEINHARDT AUSTRALIA PTY LTD Utilities, Infrastructure/Sustainability, Transport and Project Management Services 2,245,310 MELBOURNE BUILDING TECHNOLOGY (VIC) PTY LTD Utilities, Infrastructure/Sustainability, Transport and Project Management Services 243,636 MELBOURNE STUDIO PTY LTD Publishing, Printing, Promotions and Communications or Marketing Services 24,000