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Community Welfare references

Global: Professional Reference Centre
Provided as a free service to Global Agency staff and professional colleagues and students in the community welfare sector.

NOTE: Some references may move location or become out-of-date. To request an addition to this web page and possible inclusion in the Global e-Gazette: Disability & Aged Care e-newsletter please email GlobalGazetteDisabilityAgeing@gmail.com

Government-funded specialist homelessness services SAAP National Data Collection annual report 2008-09 Australia (internet only)

In January 2009, the SAAP V agreement between the Australian Government and the states and territories was replaced by the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness. This is the first report under the new arrangements and contains data from the Interim Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP) National Data Collection. It provides an overview of assistance given to clients and their children by government funded specialist homelessness services in 2008-09. AIHW catalogue number (HOU 219). Click on the link to view the media release and report.

Indigenous community housing 2008-09

Indigenous community housing 2008-09 includes national data collected by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare on Indigenous community housing. Information is presented on a range of Indigenous housing indicators including overcrowding, dwelling condition, affordability, connection to services and recurrent and capital expenditure. There is also information on Indigenous community housing organisations such as whether they have a housing management plan and the proportion of employees undertaking training. AIHW catalogue number ( HOU 299 ). This report is internet only. Click on the link to view the report.

The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission recently released a discussion paper on accessibility issues faced by people with disability and older Australians in using consumer electronics and other household appliances: The Overlooked Consumers, available on HREOC's website at http://www.humanrights.gov.au//disability_rights/consumer/overlooked.htm .

The paper discusses problems in the design of everyday appliances, but also identifies problems which should be easier to fix if information is available to consumers about the accessibility features of different products. They will work with consumer protection authorities including the ACCC, and with industry groups, to give consumers with disabilities a fairer go.

Crisis Accommodation Program 2008-09 (internet only)

This report presents data for the 2008-09 Commonwealth State Housing Agreement (CSHA) Crisis Accommodation Program (CAP) data collection. Dwellings funded under the CSHA Crisis Accommodation Program are used by governments, churches and other welfare organisations to assist people in situations of actual or impending crisis or homelessness. AIHW catalogue number (HOU 228). Click on the link to view the internet only report.

New Lifeline national website
Lifeline Australia’s new national web site is now up on the web. The redeveloped website enables people seeking help to go online to access information and resources, including self-help services. Lifeline currently answers about half a million calls on its 13 11 14 number each year from Australians. This is an average of 1200 calls a day. This new improved website provides vital information on suicide prevention, support services, Lifeline training programs and additional details on how to get involved. Visit www.lifeline.org.au

Not-for-profits spared tax changes

The Government has promised to do no "harm" to charities following the release of the Henry Review.

Demand for accommodation from government-funded specialist homelessness services 2008-09 a report from the Interim SAAP National Data Collection
Although government-funded specialist homelessness agencies accommodate large numbers of people every day, they cannot always meet all the requests for accommodation. This report provides information about the level of unmet demand for this accommodation, including how the estimates are calculated. Click on the link to view the report and media release. AIHW catalogue number (HOU 230).

Demand for accommodation from government-funded specialist homelessness services 2008-09: summary
Demand for accommodation from government-funded specialist homelessness services 2008-09: summary provides a summary of the Demand for accommodation from government-funded specialist homelessness services 2008-09 report (internet-only release), with a focus on the people turned away from accommodation. Click on the link to view the report and media release. AIHW catalogue number (HOU 231).

Community Services (LINCS)
Information maintained in this database contains information about support services available for people with disability and people with age related disability, their families and carers. The database is a collaborative community services directory which includes IDEAS specialist disability entries and incorporates services available to the broader community. Managed by IDEAS.

Juvenile justice in Australia 2007-08

Each day, around 6,000 young people are under juvenile justice supervision in Australia. This report is the fifth in the series on young people under juvenile justice supervision. It shows that the number of young people in detention on an average day increased by 17% over four years from 2004-05 and that over half of those in detention on average day in 2007-08 were Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islanders. The report contains information on the characteristics of young people under community-based supervision and in detention as well the type and length of their supervision. AIHW catalogue number (JUV 5). Available from CanPrint for $32.00 (1300 889 873). Click on the link to view the media release and the free report.

Social Research
Read an overview of recent research findings. Research plays a dynamic role within The Benevolent Society. They apply research findings and evidence to our own services, and it is a key tool in helping us to achieve their purpose of creating caring, inclusive communities and a just society.

The Benevolent Society partners with a range of individuals and organisations to conduct research. The Research Snapshot Volume 2 summarises the findings from recent projects. By producing regular compilations of our research findings, we hope to increase mutual understanding of how we work with communities and provide inspiration to continue expanding our research horizons.

Read more about The Benevolent Society's research and social policy activities.

Some content of their latest edition:-

Social capital Creating better communities part two: A study of social capital creation in four communities

Volunteering V21: Enhancing volunteering for the 21st Century

Community participation and health Community building and health: Lessons from two communities on the NSW Central Coast

Response to Forgotten Australians Living at Scarba Home for children

Evaluation A participatory model of evaluation of counselling and natural therapies services

National Health Survey: Summary of Results, 2004-05. http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/subscriber.nsf/log?openagent&43640_2004-05.pdf&4364.0&Publication&3B1917236618A042CA25711F00185526&0&2004-05&27.02.2006&Latest

Graduate Certificate in Community Management

University of Technology Sydney: Graduate School of Business

1 yr Part time
The Graduate Certificate in Community Management provides a basic introduction to the field and develops skills and knowledge in the areas of financial management and funding.

Entry Requirements

Applicants require one of the following:

a degree from a UTS-recognised university or other tertiary education institution and a minimum of two years' relevant work experience, or
extensive relevant work experience and evidence of a general capacity to undertake tertiary education.
More information at http://datasearch.uts.edu.au/business/gsb/courses/details.cfm?spk_cd=C11024

COMMUNITY SERVICES & HEALTH JOBS GROWTH

Community Services & Health sector is the fastest growing sector and projected to give rise to over 170,000 new jobs between now and 2012.

The community services and health sector is the country’s 3rd largest employer with over 1,000,000 people employed across over 350 occupations.

New labour market information DEWR Australian Jobs 2007

Australian Jobs 2007 is designed to help Australians find up-to-date information on the job they want. It provides a guide to the occupations and industries in which Australians work and highlights jobs with good prospects. It also provides information for key job seeker groups - people with disabilities; mature age; youth; Indigenous people and parents on income support, as well as information on accessing employment services and Australian apprenticeships.
Download the DEWR Australian Jobs 2007 report

Download DEWR Health Employment Outlook report

Health Services Union

Aged Care Policy http://hsu.net.au/publications/a.html

Mental Health Policy http://hsu.net.au/publications/f.html
Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Policy http://hsu.net.au/publications/q.html
Occupational Health and Safety Policy http://hsu.net.au/publications/er.html

Housing and Human Services Accord

Summary Consultation Report and Government response

In December 2005 the NSW Department of Housing contracted Age Communication Pty Ltd to facilitate consultations with the non-government sector on the Housing and Human Services Accord. The consultations followed endorsement of the Accord for consultation by the CEOs of Government human services agencies in late 2005. Six face-to-face consultations were held in Central Sydney, Ballina, Wagga Wagga and Western Sydney with one hundred and twenty six participants representing a range of non-government organisations whose constituencies include:

People with disabilities

Women escaping domestic violence

Families

People seeking or living in community housing

People with mental health problems

Young people

Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities

Aboriginal people

The report can be found at http://www.housing.nsw.gov.au/NR/rdonlyres/E1978D60-346B-46F1-B08AC109218751E4/0/SummaryConsultationReportGvmtResponse060519.pdf#xml=http://www.housing.nsw.gov.au/hoogle/isysquery/534139cf-938b-40a4-8415-8b4d6ea66dde/1/hilite/

Social Housing Fire Safety program accelerated
In line with the Iemma Government’s new directions in social housing, over the next three years $194 million is being spent on upgrading public housing to significantly improve fire safety. Minister Burton said NSW has passed an important milestone in completing these upgrades on more than 15,000 houses across the State.

** New Relocation Policy
The Department has introduced a new policy about how tenants are relocated. Sometimes tenants need to be relocated because a property needs to be redeveloped. Sometimes, tenants need to be moved because the accommodation they are in is no longer suitable and does not meet their needs. For example, it may be too large or too small or a tenant may now need lift access or a ground-floor apartment because of illness. Sometimes, tenants need to be relocated because of issues relating to the tenancy, such as ongoing antisocial behaviour. Whatever the reason for relocating a tenant, the Department’s new policy ensures that tenants are kept informed about what is happening. Form more information on the policy and other related information go to http://www.housing.nsw.gov.au/Policies+and+Fact+Sheets/Policies/Relocating+Tenants+for+Management+Purposes+-+EST0038A.htm

NSW Department of Housing documents concerning disability & ageing ..
Disability Action Plan 2000-2002 (PDF file, 78Kb)

Disability Action Plan Summary of Initiatives 2003-2004 (PDF file, 78Kb)

Healthy Ageing Framework (HAF) Plan 2001-2002 (PDF file, 59Kb)

Ethnic Affairs Priorities Statement 2004-2009 (PDF file, 60Kb)

Bachelor of Social Science (Social Welfare)

Charles Sturt University

http://www.csu.edu.au/courses/undergraduate/social_welfare/

Social welfare graduates work at the interface between people and their environments, focusing on individuals, families, groups and communities. Graduates work professionally in government departments and non-government agencies within all areas of social services. They may hold positions as coordinators or managers of welfare agencies, policy or program officers, community development workers, local government social planners, group workers and case managers /case workers offering service to disadvantaged and vulnerable people and communities.

Some fields of practice are:

child and adolescent welfare and family support
community care of people who are ageing or who have a disability
supported accommodation
community and mental health services
neighbourhood and local government services
drug, alcohol and gambling rehabilitation

This course can be studied by external studies however it has a compulsory residential school requirement for each of the three Social Work Theory and Practice subjects HCS206 HCS207 and HCS304

Guardianship Tribunal

The Guardianship Tribunal has an informative web site and a number of education resources are available for free down load or for purchase. Check out the web site at http://www.gt.nsw.gov.au/

You can download and print out any of our publications.

Home and Community Care (HACC

The Home and Community Care (HACC) Program is a central element of the Australian Government's aged care policy, providing community care services to frail aged and younger people with disabilities, and their carers. The HACC Program is a cost-shared program between the Commonwealth and State and Territory governments. The HACC program provides funding for a range of services which support people who are at risk of inappropriate admission to long term residential care. The HACC Program also supports their carers.
The aims of the HACC Program are:

to provide a comprehensive, coordinated and integrated range of basic maintenance and support services for frail aged people, people with a disability and their carers; and
to support these people to be more independent at home and in the community, thereby enhancing their quality of life and/or preventing their inappropriate admission to long term residential care.

Read more at the Department of Health & Ageing web site at http://www.health.gov.au/internet/wcms/publishing.nsf/Content/hacc-index.htm

Australia: 1800 009 292International: 00 8000 777 7777