About Us

The Institute for Healthy Communities Australia is one of Australia's leading providers of quality assessment and review services to the human services sector.  As a not-for-profit, national company we aim to increase the capacity of individuals and communities to improve and sustain wellbeing through the following services:
  • Standards review and evaluations
  • Organisational development and consultancy services
  • Skills based training.

The activities of the Institute are governed by the following values:

  • To strive for continuous improvement in our operations
  • To ensure that the principles of primary health care and social justice underpin the goals and activities of our business
  • Independence and autonomy in our decision making
  • To promote professional growth and development of our employees and members
  • To ensure health promotion and community development are promoted through our products and services.

Our Future
The IHCA sees its future in terms of:

  • Continuing to broaden our activities within Australia and possible overseas markets
  • Constantly looking for opportunities to work with organisations in developing new frameworks and processes to improve consumer outcomes
  • Continuing to develop products to meet the changing needs of clients
  • Identifying areas for improvement throughout the health and community sectors.

Corporate Governance

TheIHCA officially became a company limited by guarantee on 20 September 2001, adding a number of benefits to the organisation’s operations. The change of operational status was needed to allow the IHCA to achieve its vision — particularly into other states and territories in Australia.
 
As a company, the IHCA has a board of independent directors. This is required to ensure management of governance matters, assist with enhancing public understanding of the IHCA’s business operations and to facilitate effective work and undertakings with other organisations.
 
The IHCA’s Directors are:
  • Mr Richard Silver (Chair) Director, Australian Government Solicitor 
  • Professor Robert Bush, Director, Healthy Communities Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Queensland
  • Ms Gloria Wallace, former senior health executive with Queensland Health
  • Ms Robynne Kent, Chief Executive Officer, Canossa Care
  • Professor Michael Whitby, Consultant Physican 
The Directors are responsible for the corporate governance practices of the Company and the Board carries out its responsibilities according to the following mandate:
  • The Board comprises at least five directors
  • The criteria for Board membership is to create a balanced and informed board to assist the Company in making decisions relating to all corporate matters. New directors are nominated by existing Board members and invited to become members on the basis of a majority vote of directors. Consideration is given to the director’s experience and qualifications with a view to ensuring effectiveness and an appropriate balance of skills
  • Directors are appointed for an indefinite time on terms and conditions voted on from time to time; and
  • All available information in connection with items to be discussed at a meeting of the Board shall be provided prior to that meeting.
The primary responsibilities of the Board include:
  • The approval of the Directors’ annual report including the annual financial statements report
  • The establishment of the long term goals of the Company and the strategic plans to achieve those goals
  • The review and adoption of annual budgets for the financial performance of the Company and monitoring the results at bi-monthly meetings
  • Ensuring that the Company has implemented adequate systems of internal controls together with appropriate monitoring of compliance activities
  • The delegation of powers to the Chief Executive Officer and other staff in relation to the business and operations of the Company; and 
  • The establishment of succession plans for the management of the Company.
Meetings
  • The Board meet at least six times per annum; and
  • All available information in connection with items to be discussed or decided at meetings is provided prior to the meetings.
Risk Management
  • The Board identifies and discusses areas of significant business risk. The Board ensures processes are in place to manage those risks and reviews those arrangements at Board meetings. The Company has a Strategic Plan, which forms the basis of performance evaluation
  • The finances of the Company are subject to annual audit and certification in compliance with the requirements of the Corporations Act 2001
  • The Board identifies and discusses significant areas of risk as part of its strategic, and business planning and its regular review at Board meetings of the finances and operations of the Company
  • Reports on the Company’s activities are provided at each meeting of the Board
  • The Company has in place internal audit and management review systems, as part of its commitment to continuous quality improvement, to identify areas of potential risk and to implement corrective action
  • The Chief Executive Officer managing the day-to-day operations of the Company is appointed by the Board on the basis of experience in the industry, qualifications and proven performance
  • All employees of the company sign a Code of Conduct and are subject to annual appraisal of performance.
The Company has in place appropriate policies and procedures to ensure compliance with legislation and contemporary standards in relation to workplace health and safety, human resource management, privacy, anti-discrimination, complaints and grievances, impartiality, finance and assets management.
 
Key Staff
  • Judith Robson AM, Chief Executive Officer – Judith has returned to the IHCA in 2010 following a two year absence.  Judith has held  senior executive positions in the health and hospital sector. She is a registered nurse and holds international Lead Auditor qualifications and has undertaken extensive consultancy work and numerous quality reviews and the hospital, residential aged care, disability and community sectors. Judith was the Chief Execuitve Officer of the company from 1999-2007.
  • Margie O’Kane, Manager, IHCA Programs – Margie is a Registered Nurse by profession, but also has extensive experience in quality processes and leadership training, particularly in the health sector. Margie has been with the company since 2008. She is a qualified auditor and is particularly skilled in delivering quality education and leadership programs.
  • Cheryl Morgan, Manager Finance and Corporate Services. Cheryl is a CPA and has been with the company for ten years. 
     

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