Ensuring excellence in youth mental health through strong clinical governance
At Human Nature, our commitment to delivering exceptional mental health care for young people is unwavering. A cornerstone of this commitment is our Clinical Governance Advisory Council (CGAC), a multidisciplinary body that provides expert guidance to ensure the safety, effectiveness, and impact of our therapeutic programs.
What is the Clinical Governance Advisory Council?
The CGAC is an independent advisory body offering specialized clinical governance and therapeutic insights to the Human Nature Board of Directors and management team. This Council is instrumental in shaping strategies, policies, and program delivery, ensuring that our services meet the diverse needs of the young people we support.
Key objectives of the council
The Council’s primary goal is to enhance the reach, quality, and impact of our mental health services. They work closely with Human Nature’s management to ensure that our programs are:
- Accessible to all young people
- Culturally relevant
- Responsive to the evolving needs of our community
Their work includes advising on therapeutic pathways, monitoring program performance, and validating service effectiveness through annual clinical audits.
Leadership and expertise
In the past year, we were thrilled to appoint Vicki Rose as the Chair of the CGAC. Vicki brings a wealth of experience, having held senior roles, including Director of Integrated Care and Allied Health Services for NNSWLHD before her retirement in 2023.
As Chair, Vicki works closely with our Board, CEO, and Founder to develop an annual work plan, mobilise networks for clinical advice, and ensure productive Council meetings. She also provides independent assessments of our clinical governance system, mentoring our therapeutic team, and offering insights to continually improve the quality and safety of our services.
A multidisciplinary approach
Our Clinical Governance Advisory Council embraces a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating voices from various sectors:
- Clinicians and therapists who understand the therapeutic landscape
- Community leaders and Indigenous representatives to ensure cultural relevance
- Researchers to ensure data-driven decisions and innovations
This blend of expertise leads to well-rounded, informed decisions that prioritize the safety and well-being of the young people in our care.
Continuous improvement and accountability
The CGAC plays a critical role in overseeing Human Nature’s therapeutic model, ensuring that it remains both relevant and responsive to the changing mental health landscape. By challenging our leadership to innovate and refine our approaches, the Council pushes us to meet the highest standards of care.
Their governance ensures that we not only meet but exceed the expectations placed on mental health service providers, keeping Human Nature at the forefront of excellence in youth mental health.
Recognising our Council Members
We are deeply grateful for the dedication of our current CGAC members:
- Vicki Rose (Chair)
- Andy Hamilton
- Dr. Will Dobud
- Dr. Richard Lakeman
- Samantha James
- Sharni Roberts
- Linda DeMilford
- Tom Mulvaney
We also extend a heartfelt thanks to Carly Atkinson and Kathleen Cator, who have recently retired from the Council, for their invaluable contributions.
Looking ahead
The work of the Clinical Governance Advisory Council is central to Human Nature’s vision. Their ongoing oversight ensures we deliver life-changing support to young people facing mental health challenges. By maintaining strong governance structures, we demonstrate our commitment to providing the highest quality care, empowering young people to build brighter, healthier futures.
