australian council of social service. who is acoss the australian council of social service (acoss)...
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Australian Council of Social Service
Who is ACOSS
The Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) is the peak council of the community services and welfare sector and the national voice for the needs of people affected by poverty and inequality
A fair and inclusive Australia where all individuals and communities have the resources they need to participate in and benefit from social and economic life
What does the community sector do?
nursing homeschild carehousing serviceslegal servicesemergency reliefhealthfamily servicescounseling aged caredisability servicesresidential care servicesnon-residential care servicesemployment placement servicesinterest groups involved in community service advocacy
What else does the community sector do?
The community sector is more than a provider of services.
Promotes heightened sense of community and social responsibility which goes far beyond the provision of services.
Educates the general public, to aid communication betweendifferent parts of society
Builds empathy for disadvantaged groups and to provide a voice to marginalised people
Shapes priorities for governments, highlighting areas of need and providing on-the-ground experience of policy in action.
Size of the Sector
.$ 11.2 Billion – Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
The ABS has estimated that as at the end of June 2000 there were 9,287 employing businesses and organisations involved in the provision of community services.
The 9,287 businesses and organisations comprised 2,800 ‘for profit’ organisations, 5,938 ‘not for profit’ organisations and 548 government organisations
Sector
.
The community services workforce increased by 22.6% from 1999-2004, The community services workforce increased by 22.6% from 1999-2004, double that of the average of all occupations (10.5%). Employment growth was double that of the average of all occupations (10.5%). Employment growth was particularly high in child care (42%).particularly high in child care (42%).
Community services now employs 23% of all women workers aged 50-59 Community services now employs 23% of all women workers aged 50-59 years old, compared to 18% in 1984; conversely the main employer of men 50-years old, compared to 18% in 1984; conversely the main employer of men 50-59 years old was manufacturing and this employment declined from 21% in 1984 59 years old was manufacturing and this employment declined from 21% in 1984 to 15% in 2004.to 15% in 2004.
Who do we serve ?
Housing – over 100,000 people are homeless
Almost one million low income people receiving Rent Assistance from the Government spend more than 30% of their income on rent
People who have not completed high school have an unemployment rate of 11.3% compared with 3% of people with a bachelor degree.
In 2004, 97.5per cent of the 236,000 new jobs created went to people with skills and a university degree, a TAFE diploma or equivalent work experience.
Life expectancy of an Indigenous child is 17 years less than for a non-Indigenous child in Australia today
In what environment do we serve?
• Rising individualism
• Greater Government contracting
• Greater complexity of need
• Intergenerational poverty
• Poverty post codes
• Fear
Key finding of Community Sector Survey 2007
Demand for services
In 2005-6 respondent agencies provided services to 1,459,184 people, which is an increase of 4% on the number of people who received a service in 2004-5.
In 2005-6 respondent agencies turned away 93,961 people who were eligible for the service.
Of the people turned away in 2005-6 it is estimated that:
•28% were not eligible for the service or needed a different service•44% were eligible for the service and the service provided the person with only basic information and assistance•28% were eligible for the service but were turned away from the service without assistance.
Key finding of Community Sector Survey 2007
Population Group Percentage of service users
Percentage of general community
People with a disability 39% 20%
Indigenous 14% 2.4%
Jobless 59% 20%
Culturally and linguistically diverse 22% 17%
Women 63% 50%
People under 18 years of age 21% 24%
18-44 years 41% 39%
45-64 years 22% 24%
65+ years 16% 13%
Key finding of Community Sector Survey 2007
REGION
People Assisted (2005-6)
No. of eligible people turned away from services (2005-6)
NSW 377,053 20,846
QLD 366,032 15,669
WA 293,815 34,197
VIC 169,533 8,571
SA 161,664 7,651
ACT 46,971 1,994
TAS 28,096 618
Community Sector Survey
Population Group Percentage of service users
Percentage of general community
People with a disability 39% 20%
Indigenous 14% 2.4%
Jobless 59% 20%
Culturally and linguistically diverse 22% 17%
Women 63% 50%
People under 18 years of age 21% 24%
18-44 years 41% 39%
45-64 years 22% 24%
65+ years 16% 13%
Key finding of Community Sector Survey 2007
2%
7%
27%
40%
23%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
Figure 1.3: Referrals into agency: proportion agree/disagree with statement:‘other agencies referred fewer clients to our organisation this year’
Key finding of Community Sector Survey 2007
Targeting services: proportion agree/disagree with statement: ‘this organisation is targeting our services more tightly than in the past’
10%
41%
23%22%
4%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
Key finding of Community Sector Survey 2007
Waiting List - Our waiting list was shorter this year than it was last year’
3%
7%
44%
29%
17%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
Key finding of Community Sector Survey 2007
Complex Needs - Complexity of client need: proportion agree/disagree with statement: ‘our clients have more complex needs than last year’
27%
42%
23%
6%
2%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
What Services are needed 2007 ?
Service type Rank Score[1]
Long term housing 1 100.0
Health care (including mental health and drug and alcohol services) 2 78.1
Crisis and supported accommodation 3 67.4
Income support 4 62.0
Aged and disability services 5 57.8
Employment, education and training programs 6 51.3
Transport 7 40.8
Family relationship services 8 39.6
Legal services 9 26.8
Assistance with the cost of energy, water, telecommunications 10 24.5
Child care 11 22.8
Cultural, arts, recreation, sport, information and social activities 12 21.2
Child welfare services 13 19.1
Work force
•As identified by the Community Services and Health Industry Skills As identified by the Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council: Council: ‘Some of the more intractable current social problems (for ‘Some of the more intractable current social problems (for example youth and aged unemployment, child abuse, alcoholism and example youth and aged unemployment, child abuse, alcoholism and mental health problems such as dementia) are all largely managed by mental health problems such as dementia) are all largely managed by the community services workforce.the community services workforce.’’[i]
The community services workforce increased by 22.6% from 1999-2004, The community services workforce increased by 22.6% from 1999-2004, double that of the average of all occupations (10.5%). Employment double that of the average of all occupations (10.5%). Employment growth was particularly high in child care (42%).growth was particularly high in child care (42%).
Community services now employs 23% of all women workers aged 50-Community services now employs 23% of all women workers aged 50-59 years old, compared to 18% in 1984; conversely the main employer of 59 years old, compared to 18% in 1984; conversely the main employer of men 50-59 years old was manufacturing and this employment declined men 50-59 years old was manufacturing and this employment declined from 21% in 1984 to 15% in 2004.from 21% in 1984 to 15% in 2004.
Workforce Issues
Employee category
Hired (FTE)
Left (FTE)
Difference (FTE)
Management
274
232
42
Service worker
1,731
1,428
303
Clerical/administration
295
263
32
Total
2,300
1,923
377
Staff hired and left 2005-6
Workforce Issues
Agency Size
Year Number paid
staff, (full time equivalent)
Number paid staff, (full time
equivalent) who left Staff turnover
% who had difficulty attracting
qualified staff Small
n = 278 2005-6 1769 432 24% 48%
Medium n = 81
2005-6 3098 675 22% 80%
Large n = 21
2005-6 4904 575 12% 85%
While 64% of managers from alcohol and drug services had difficulty filling While 64% of managers from alcohol and drug services had difficulty filling staff vacancies, 78% of managers in non-metropolitan areas reported this as a staff vacancies, 78% of managers in non-metropolitan areas reported this as a concernconcern
Workforce ?
Work category Number % Paid staff (full time equivalent)
14,991
28%
Voluntary board/management
6,653
12%
Voluntary service delivery
32,112
60%
Total
53,756
100%
Unpaid Work
31%
44%
15%
8%
2%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
Use of unpaid work: proportion agree/disagree with statement: ‘compared to last year unfunded work by staff and volunteers has increased’
Workforce Issues 2007
Training Need Rank Score
Working with clients who have difficult and complex needs 1 100.0
Program planning and evaluation 2 64.8
Management/Governance 3 58.1
Case Management 4 54.1
Community development 5 46.5
Information Technology 6 46.1
Cross cultural communication 7 35.2
Legal and financial systems 8 28.3
Human resources 9 26.7
Research and policy development 10 24.5
Facilitation and negotiation 11 22.9
Lobbying 12 22.3
Working with the media 13 16.3
Training needs by category
What Services are needed 2007 ?
Work category Number of people %
Paid staff (full time equivalent) 13,457 26%
Voluntary board/management 4,940 10%
Voluntary service delivery 32,739 64%
Total 51,136 100%
Workforce by category
Conditions
Examining overall rates of pay in community services compared to other industries and fields, illustrates community service workers are paid less than average wages.
In 2004 the average weekly wage for a full time worker was $916 per week (full-time non-managerial employees). In each of the community services occupations, wages were lower than this average - the highestaverage total weekly earnings in community services were paid to social workers ($909.89) and counsellors ($905.95) and the lowest to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers ($547.76) and child care workers ($570.09).
By contrast, workers in property and business services, earned $1,000–$1,500
The environment
A growing casualisation of the workforce also exists particularly in relation to A growing casualisation of the workforce also exists particularly in relation to low paid work and care work in many States and Territories. low paid work and care work in many States and Territories.
This is a particular concern for new and young recruits to community This is a particular concern for new and young recruits to community services – the Australian Services Union Members Survey 2007 indicates services – the Australian Services Union Members Survey 2007 indicates while overall 88% rate ‘increasing outsourcing and casualisation’ as an while overall 88% rate ‘increasing outsourcing and casualisation’ as an important issue to them personally, 99% of workers under 35 years old and important issue to them personally, 99% of workers under 35 years old and 92% of workers aged 35-44 rate the issue as a personal concern.92% of workers aged 35-44 rate the issue as a personal concern.
The administrative, program and reporting requirements of government The administrative, program and reporting requirements of government funding contracts add to the workload of community service workers funding contracts add to the workload of community service workers
Further complexity, particularly for managers, human resource personnel Further complexity, particularly for managers, human resource personnel and accountants of community services organisations, is created by and accountants of community services organisations, is created by Australia’s definition and regulation of charity status Australia’s definition and regulation of charity status More insecurityMore insecurity
Income
Year Total operating
expenses ($ millions)
Total income ($ millions)
Deficit/Surplus ($ millions)
2005/6 859 819 -40
2004/5 850 760 -90
Difference 9 59 50
What sources of income - national
Source
2004-5 (millions)
2005-6 (millions)
% change
% total (2005-6)
Australian Government 192.5 209.6 8.9% 26%
State/Territory Government 331.0 365.0 10.3% 45%
Local Government 5.6 6.7 19.6% -
Client fee income 76.4 77.6 1.6% 9%
Own source income* 154.4 159.6 3.4% 20%
Total 760.0 818.5 7.7% 100%
* incl. donations, sponsorship, sale of goods and services to the public etc
Funding Sources NSW
Source
2004-05 (millions)
2005-06 (millions)
% total (2005-6)
% change
Australian Government 85.5 88.6 46% 4%
State/Territory Government 51.9 55.3 29% 7%
Local Government 1.1 1.2 - -
Client fee income 18.4 17.8 9% -3%
Own source income* 28.8 30.2 16% 5%
Total 185.6 193.2 100% 4%
*incl. non-govt payments for goods and services, donations etc
COAG
In 2006, COAG announced its Human Capital Agenda in response to reports of ‘skills shortages’. The Human Capital Agenda encompasses goals of improving workforce participation and productivity while increasing flexible work arrangements in the interests of individual, family and community. It may raise expectations concerning care, employment, education, health,early childhood and child care services in particular and the workforce in each of these services will be critical to achieving its aims.
Other recent COAG agendas that will affect community services include its recent focus (including funding) for mental health services, its summit on violence and child abuse in Indigenous communities and its focus on early childhood education as a priority area.
COAG also adopted a strategy to strengthen the health workforce with a focus on increasing supply through more spending on education and provision of tertiary education places.
Future of the Sector Day
A recent ACOSS consultation over the future of the community services sector provides a useful summary of some of the workforce needs the sector itself could address:
provide better access to professional services especially legal and accounting services
establish workplace policies that encourage a diverse workforce that can meet the needs of a diverse community
work with unions to achieve pay equity with the public serviceadvocate for policies to eliminate barriers to workforce participation for people with disabilities
establish workplace policies that encourage the employment of clients
Challenges ?
Values
Ensure Diversity
Accountability
Government contracting
Infrastructure
Efficient and Effective
Sustainability
Policy debate
Research
Partnerships
Values – why you should care ?
Better at defining uniqueness
Local accountability
International movement is small is beautiful?
The “non” debate
Community interaction
Accountability
Multiple stakeholders - to whom are we accountable?
Members
Owners
Donors
Government
Staff
Communities
Clients
As Government increasingly contracts community services there is increasing accountability mechanisms
Outcomes for services??
Capacity Building ?
Staffing issues – who is going to looking after you in old age?
Capital Costs
Reserves
Service transaction
Maintaining diversity