CoP Refresh - Introduction

Communities of Practice Refresh

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be refreshing how Communities of Practice (CoPs) are grouped. This refresh is designed to make CoPs easier to participate in, more rewarding, and better aligned to how the network now operates. The aim is to support stronger connection, better participation, and sustainable support across the network.

A quick note on why this is happening now

We know some CoPs have been working really well. Others have been harder to sustain, especially where groups are small, spread out, or where the facilitation load has been uneven.

At the same time, over the past two years we’ve been aligning the HIPPY provider network to reflect our current funding arrangements across:

• First Nations-focused delivery (through ACCOs, or ACCO led partnerships)
• Broad Focus delivery

With these network changes now in place, we have a good opportunity to reinvigorate our CoPs. This refresh will help make CoPs more consistent and sustainable, while keeping what has worked well.

What’s changing (coming soon)

• For First Nations-focused sites: CoPs will be set up to support culturally-led learning and connection. These arrangements are intended to strengthen cultural safety and self‑determination in how learning and connection are supported

• For Broad Focus sites: CoPs will no longer be grouped strictly by geography. The number of CoPs will be reduced, with a broader mix of sites in each group

What to expect next

We’re still in the early stages of refining the CoP changes. For now, please stay with your current CoP grouping while we finalise the details.

We expect the updated arrangements to be finalised by mid-June. Once confirmed, we will email each CoP participant with the details.

We know you’ll have questions and feedback. Please send all comments and questions to hippyaustralia@bsl.org.au so we can respond individually where needed. We’ll also share general responses where the same question or concern is raised more than once.

What’s not changing

• CoPs remain central to learning, reflection, and collaboration
• Existing relationships and informal networks are still valued and encouraged to continue

Where to find updates

To support CoP questions, reflection, and this refresh, we are building a bank of information in 'Knowledge base' accessed via the HIPPY Support Portal. It includes responses to questions and clarifications already raised, along with refresh updates and key information as arrangements are confirmed.

The Knowledge base information continues to be built out and updated.

MAY 2026