The Planning Environment of Non‐government Organisations Involved in the Provision of Social Care to Elderly Queenslanders

Abstract

SynopsisDespite the importance of the non‐government sector as a major provider of social care for the elderly, its planning and administrative sphere remains relatively uncharted. Planners and administrators from nine Queensland non‐government organisations shared perceptions of their planning environment. While government resources and program guidelines influence their work, they claim their autonomy is not eroded. Governments could facilitate their work by generating needs data, establishing joint planning structures and ensuring territorial justice. The authors argue that if governments presume non‐government organisations are simply vehicles for the implementation of government plans, their potential as response systems for elderly people will not be realized.