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Recent research reportsTitles since January 2002 are listed below (newest titles at the top of the list). Almost all reports may be downloaded as PDF files; most are also available as printed copies (prices below). For reports published since 1982, search the research publications database. For earlier items, contact: Publications Officer ______________________ The Brotherhood's Social Barometer: living the second fifty years (PDF file, Helen Kimberley and Bonnie Simons The fourth Social Barometer examines the extent of disadvantage among older Australians through indicators of people’s capabilities covering eight key dimensions of life, including employment, income, health, housing, safety and social participation. The barometer concentrates on national data, and draws attention to the different experiences of retirement and ageing and the different phases of the life course which require distinctive policy responses. Assets for all? A review of the Australian government's $77 billion support for asset building (PDF file, 161 KB) Cost shifting in education: implications for government, the community sector and low-income families (PDF file, 229 KB) This report commissioned by the Equity in Education Alliance seeks to quantify in dollars the extent to which the Victorian community service organisations, including emergency relief providers, assist disadvantaged families to meet school education expenses. This costs data supports the argument that the cost of education has been shifted from the state to the individual, and that these costs are then shifted a second time, when disadvantaged families seek help from the community sector. In the Alliance’s view, failure to address educational inequity and ensure that cost is not a barrier to participation shows a lack of regard for human dignity, impedes the future economic and social inclusion of children and threatens the success of the national productivity agenda. The Myer Foundation 2020 Vision for Aged Care outcomes review (PDF file, Astrid Reynolds This Brotherhood research commissioned by the Myer Foundation tracked the influence on government policy of the foundation’s investment in developing a vision for aged care, and assessed its impact on practice. The report outlines progress in five key areas (community care, housing, administration, funding and industry planning) and proposes an agenda to progress outstanding issues. Tax expenditures and housing (PDF file, 458 KB) Judith Yates This paper, reporting research undertaken for the Brotherhood of St Laurence and published by AHURI (the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute), assesses the scale and distribution of key tax expenditures associated with the treatment of housing in the Australian tax system. Based on these findings, it indicates some changes that would make the tax arrangements more efficient and equitable. The cost of a free education: cost as a barrier to Australian public education (PDF file, 311 KB) Sharon Bond & Michael Horn Concerned about financial barriers to participation, Brotherhood researchers canvassed the cost burden to parents of education in a government school. Applying a social inclusion lens, they allowed for not only subject fees, uniforms and textbooks but also related expenses such as transport, sport or music costs and (a share of) home computer and internet access. Comparing these School Education Expenses (SEE) with the incomes and educational assistance available to three hypothetical disadvantaged households showed that they would struggle to afford the education taken for granted by most Australians. Clearly, to achieve 90 per cent Year 12 attainment will require educational policy reform. Learning support programs: education reform beyond the school Sharon Bond This report presents the case for out-of-school-hours learning support programs (LSPs) to meet the needs of disadvantaged students. In the light of Commonwealth and state agendas of social inclusion, serious policy and funding commitment to such programs is required as a key element of the implementation of the COAG National Plans for education reform. Stories of early school leaving: pointers for policy and practice Janet Taylor The stories of eight young people who left school early, interviewed when aged 17 for Stage 8½ of the Brotherhood of St Laurence’s longitudinal Life Chances Study, illustrate their complex lives as they consider employment, training and other facets of their future. Their experience leads to recommendations for policies to ensure that young people are not excluded from appropriate opportunities. Sections may also be downloaded separately: Increasing consumer choice in aged care services (PDF file, 169 KB) Carmel Laragy and Gerry Naughtin Increased choice in aged care services is an international trend, driven by demographic changes and consumer advocacy. This review of the literature on consumer-directed, flexible care points to better outcomes for consumers and to cost efficiencies. The authors signal several key issues that need to be addressed in improving choice and flexibility in Australian aged care services, and propose a major national trial of consumer-directed aged care packages in Australia. Reform of the Australian retirement income system (PDF file, 238 KB) Simon Kelly, NATSEM, University of Canberra The Brotherhood of St Laurence commissioned the National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling (NATSEM) to undertake a study of the inequities of Australia's retirement income system. Improving resident transfers between hospitals and residential aged care facilities (PDF file, 241 KB) Laura Meese and Jennifer Poole This study of transfers of frail older people between hospitals and residential care was undertaken by two fourth-year social work students from La Trobe University. They considered discharge procedures, cooperative care, and communication and information, with particular reference to the Yellow Envelope, a tool designed to ensure key patient information is readily available at all transfer stages. Their report includes recommendations for further improvements. Coming to grips with credit contracts: steps to protect vulnerable borrowers (PDF file, 153 KB) Genevieve Sheehan, Therese Wilson and Nicola Howell Researchers from the Brotherhood of St Laurence and from Griffith University law school sought the views of low-income people about credit regulations, focusing on disclosure and the safety net provisions in the Uniform Consumer Credit Code (UCCC). They found that current pre-contractual disclosure documents did not help participants to understand many of the important terms of the contract, or to know their rights; and accordingly recommended improved regulation to protect this important group of consumers. Given the Chance: an evaluation of an employment and education pathways program for refugees (PDF file, 704 KB) Kemran Mestan This evaluation of Given the Chance, a program developed by the Ecumenical Migration Centre of the Brotherhood of St Laurence, showed that supported mentoring combined with training and work placements can be effective in helping refugees to understand Australian workplace cultures and providing an entrée into employment and/or educational opportunities. A four page summary of the Given the Chance evaluation (PDF file, 40 KB) is also available. The Cottage service for highly disadvantaged children in Fitzroy: Martina Boese, Janet Stanley, Carole Baker and Jody Hughes An evaluation of the Cottage Centre for Families and Children which served inner-Melbourne families with young children shows that it was an effective model for assisting families with complex needs. Defining principles included early intervention, considering the child in the context of family and community; and treating parents as expert partners in the nurture of their children. Children benefited in all areas of development, while parents showed improved self-esteem, trust and skills in accessing services. This in turn improved relationships between parents and children and decreased families’ social isolation—both essential for wellbeing and eventual independence. Enabling low-income households in the private rental market to respond to climate change (PDF file, 600KB) Late in 2007, the Brotherhood of St Laurence convened a roundtable to consider ways to reduce the likely impact of climate change (and related mitigation measures such as carbon pricing) on low-income private renter households. Contributors from industry, government, academia and non-government organisations agreed on recommendations relating to areas such emissions trading, improved household energy efficiency, building standards, energy tariffs and urban planning. This report presents the recommendations and background information. Seasonal labour mobility: responsible business conduct, decent work and regional engagement (PDF file, 500 KB) Serena Lillywhite This paper, prepared for the OECD ILO conference 'Employment and industrial relations: promoting responsible business conduct', held in Paris in June 2008, considers how seasonal migrant workers can best be protected by the application of international conventions, state regulation and private sector corporate responsibility. Counting the cost: parental experiences of education expenses: results from the 2007 Education Costs Survey (PDF file, 126 KB) Sharon Bond & Michael Horn This report examines the survey responses of 58 low-income Victorian families about the cost of their 129 primary and secondary school-aged children’s participation in formal education during 2007. Although the survey was small in scale, it revealed that these parents faced considerable difficulties in paying education expenses, resulting in some children missing out on vital activities. To reduce the rate of students disengaging or dropping out, the writers recommend policy changes to eliminate financial hardship as a critical barrier for children in disadvantaged families. The case for change: a snapshot analysis of the Australian tax system (PDF file, 69 KB) John Freebairn and Rosanna Scutella This snapshot analysis prepared for the Brotherhood of St Laurence highlights key federal taxation areas requiring reform, with brief case studies illustrating the inequities, and presents a number of recommendations for a fairer system. The Brotherhood is urging the new Australian Government to examine options to create a fairer, simpler and a more efficient tax system that maximises economic and social participation. Carbon use in poor Victorian households by local government area (PDF file, 172 KB) Bill Unkles and Janet Stanley As the imposition of a carbon price is planned in Australia to encourage movement away from carbon-based energy, this mapping exercise illustrates the uneven pattern of carbon use by poor households across Melbourne and across Victoria. The pattern is largely related to transport and urban planning issues. The findings point to the need for policies which will offset the regressive impact of a carbon price, to ensure that disadvantaged households are not unfairly penalised. Partnerships Advancing Community Engagement: four pilot projects with Rotary (PDF file, 409 KB) Bill Unkles The Partnerships Advancing Community Engagement program (PACE) was devised by Rotary Youth Ambassadorial Scholar, Courtney Scala, during an internship with the Brotherhood of St Laurence. This innovative approach is about Rotary clubs collaborating with community members and agencies on long-term sustainable projects to address disadvantage. The review of four projects undertaken in Melbourne shows how members used their professional and organisational skills and their networks to empower local communities. Growing community enterprise: an evaluation of the Community Enterprise Development Initiative (PDF file, 857 KB) Sharon Bond This is the final evaluation report from the Community Enterprise Development Initiative (CEDI), funded by the Victorian Department of Planning and Community Development and delivered by the Brotherhood of St Laurence. After a pilot in 12 locations in 2005, the program expanded to 15 more sites in 2006–07. In addition to assisting the development of various community enterprises, CEDI has built a knowledge base about critical success factors and best practice, and fostered collaboration and networking. The report includes several case studies of community enterprises. Connecting with Frankston families: examining service use for families in Frankston North, Karingal and Carrum Downs (PDF file, 198 KB) Carmelita Davies and Nicole Oke This report explores ways to strengthen the provision of services to ‘hard to reach’ families in Frankston North, Karingal and Carrum Downs, suburbs on Melbourne’s outer metropolitan fringe. Parents and service staff were interviewed about factors which hindered or encouraged the use of services such as maternal and child health centres, dental services and childcare. School engagement and life chances at 15 & 16 (PDF file, 242 KB) Janet Taylor and Lucy Nelms This four-page summary brings together key findings from both stages 7 and 8 of the Brotherhood's longitudinal Life Chances Study, reported more fully in Life chances at 16 (2008) and School engagement and life chances: 15 year olds in transition (2006) (see below). Life chances at 16: Life Chances Study stage 8 (PDF file, 412 KB) Janet Taylor and Lucy Nelms Stage 8 of the longitudinal Life Chances Study explored the situations of 125 young Australians (75 girls and 50 boys) from diverse backgrounds, their current engagement with school and work and their future plans at the age of 16. The survey responses confirmed the continuity and layering of disadvantage: for example, 16 year olds from low-income families with parents with limited education are more likely than their affluent peers to leave school early and less likely to plan university careers. The findings also showed diversity within socioeconomic groups, and posed the challenge of providing effective teaching and transition supports for all young people. The inclusive role of playgroups in Greater Dandenong (PDF file, 201 KB) Nicole Oke, Janet Stanley and Jacqui Theobald This report investigates the ways in which playgroups in Greater Dandenong, a culturally diverse municipality in south-eastern Melbourne, can foster the inclusion of many community groups, and identifies barriers to playgroup attendance for parents and caregivers. Making it work: promoting participation of job seekers with multiple barriers through the Personal Support Programme (PDF file, 802 KB) Daniel Perkins This report presents findings of an evaluation of the Personal Support Programme (PSP) by the Brotherhood of Also available Making it work summary (PDF file, 319 KB) Towards new indicators of disadvantage: deprivation and social exclusion (PDF file, 826 KB) Peter Saunders, Yuvisthi Naidoo and Megan Griffiths (SPRC); with Peter Davidson, Anne Hampshire, Janet Taylor, John Bellamy & Sue King The final report from stage 2 of a major project assisted by a Linkages grant from the Australian Research Council, and led by Professor Peter Saunders from the Social Policy Research Centre of the University of New South Wales, with Janet Taylor (Brotherhood of St Laurence) and Peter Davidson (ACOSS) as partner investigators. Mission Australia and Anglicare NSW are other industry partners. The Brotherhood's Social Barometer: the working years (PDF file, The third Social Barometer examines how well equipped Australians of working age are for full economic and social participation in a rapidly changing world. It presents indicators of their capabilities covering eight key dimensions of life from employment and education and employment to health and social involvement. The barometer concentrates on national data, and pays particular attention to people with socioeconomically disadvantaged and Indigenous backgrounds. Also available is a 4-page summary (PDF file, 163 KB) Investing in people: Intermediate Labour Markets as pathways to employment (PDF file, 885KB) Kemran Mestan and Rosanna Scutella with the Allen Consulting Group Getting the long-term jobless into mainstream employment is a major challenge for Australian governments, especially in areas of concentrated disadvantage. The Brotherhood’s approach, also used effectively overseas, is to use an Intermediate Labour Market (ILM) as a bridge between long-term unemployment and the mainstream labour market. This research report presents initial findings about the effectiveness of the Brotherhood’s ILM programs, drawing on interviews with staff and participants and also proposing a framework for a cost-benefit analysis. Ethical threads: corporate social responsibility in the Australian garment industry (PDF file, 862KB) Emer Diviney and Serena Lillywhite This research is the first comprehensive investigation of the Australian garment sector’s attitude to, and knowledge of, corporate responsibility in relation to labour rights. The report documents both the opportunities and the challenges facing the sector in demonstrating responsible and sustainable business practice. The study also documents Australian garment companies’ awareness of working conditions, laws, regulations and voluntary mechanisms and includes industry recommendations for improving both compliance and socially responsible practice. Rebuilding connections: creating opportunities for socially isolated older Australians: evaluation of the Brotherhood of St Laurence Community Care Socialisation Program (PDF file, 189 KB) Michael Hillier This report describes the experience of the Brotherhood’s Community Care Division in the Department of Human Services’ Southern and North and West Regions of Melbourne in responding to social isolation through its Socialisation Program. Drawing on the views of participants and care managers, the author evaluates the effectiveness of this approach in addressing social isolation and considers the broader implications for care management programs generally and particularly for leisure and recreational services for older people and people with a disability. Outcomes for older people with chronic and complex needs: a longitudinal examination of the use of community services following an aged care assessment in Victoria (PDF file, 256 KB) Karen Teshuva, Lucy Nelms, Victoria Johnson, Peter Foreman and Janet Stanley This study was undertaken by the Australian Institute for Primary Care at La Trobe University and the Brotherhood of St Laurence. Researchers examined the community services recommended for older people with complex needs, the extent to which such recommendations were taken up and the ACAS clients’ and carers’ experience of services. They found difficulties in accessing community services were related to social isolation of the older person, high carer burden and the older person reporting low mood. Conversely the community care system is working best for older people who have someone (such as a family member or case manager) to help them to access the required services. Recommendations are made for improved identification of, and support for, those at risk of not accessing recommended services. Download a four page summary of the report Equity in Response to Climate Change Roundtable: This publication brings together papers and presentations from a roundtable, ‘Equity in Response to Climate Change’, convened by two welfare and two environmental non-government organisations: the Brotherhood of St Laurence, the National Welfare Rights Network, the Australian Conservation Foundation and The Climate Institute. Key themes include Australia’s vulnerability to climate change, the effect of carbon prices on different households, and issues affecting low-income, rural and Indigenous Australians. Contributors include Tony Nicholson, Gill Owen, Justin Sherrard and Alan Tate, Peter Brain (National Institute of Economic and Industry Research), Mark Wootton, Chris Loader and John Stanley. Links to other online presentations are also listed. The Community Enterprise Development Initiative: learnings from work with twelve disadvantaged neighbourhoods in 2005–06 (PDF file, 597 KB) Lois Bedson This report documents learning from the implementation of the Community Enterprise Development Initiative of the Brotherhood of Social exclusion in Boroondara: Stage Two: identifying the issues for children who experience social exclusion in Boroondara (PDF file, 420 KB) Janet Stanley, Chi Wai Ng and Kemran Mestan This second report from a Brotherhood of St Laurence study commissioned by Camcare, the Rotary Club of Hawthorn and Foundation Boroondara explores child poverty and related service needs in Boroondara, in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, informed by local welfare agencies and some parents experiencing exclusion. The researchers found that in such a municipality, general affluence can increase the exclusion of disadvantaged people. There is a need to address structural causes (unemployment, shortage of affordable housing) as well as individual issues, and for collaboration involving three levels of government and community members. School engagement and life chances: 15 year olds in transition (PDF file, 352 KB) Janet Taylor and Lucy Nelms This report draws on stage 7 of the Brotherhood’s longitudinal Life Chances Study, when the young people were aged 15, to explore school engagement and transition issues. It reports on interviews with 41 selected 15 year olds and their parents, and contains several illustrative case studies. STEP into residential care: a training program evaluation (PDF file, 106 KB) Kemran Mestan and Janet Stanley This report is an evaluation of the Scheme for Training and Educating People (STEP) residential care program which enables people who face barriers to employment to gain a traineeship in Certificate III in community service (residential care), through a partnership between the Brotherhood of St Laurence residential care facilities and STEP Inc (the Brotherhood’s group training company). Building pathways to local jobs for young people: City of Kingston Youth Employment Strategy (PDF file, 357 KB) Prepared by Eleanor Marsh and Daniel Perkins for the City of Kingston The City of Kingston, with funding from the Department of Victorian Communities, engaged the Brotherhood of The Brotherhood's Social Barometer: challenges facing Australian youth (PDF file, 200 KB) Martina Boese and Rosanna Scutella This second issue of the Social Barometer examines how well equipped Australia are (or are not) to negotiate successfully the transition from childhood to adulthood, from school to work in a rapidly changing world. It presents indicators of young people’s capabilities covering seven key dimensions of life from physical and mental health to education and employment and social and civic participation. Sections of the report are introduced by individual case studies. The barometer concentrates on national data, and pays particular attention to young people with socioeconomically disadvantaged, refugee and Indigenous backgrounds. Raising young children in Greater Dandenong: an initial needs study for the Communities for Children program (PDF file, 153 KB) This small study documented the needs of families with young children in Dandenong, drawing on consultations with local residents and with selected community groups (e.g. playgroups and adult English classes) caring for children and serving people who may be at risk of social exclusion. The study was undertaken to inform the Greater Dandenong Communities for Children program, one of 45 sites funded by the Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. It was a partnership between Mission Australia, the City of Greater Dandenong and the Brotherhood of St Laurence. Risk and reality: access to general insurance for people on low incomes (PDF file, 302 KB) Genevieve Sheehan and Gordon Renouf The authors investigated the reasons that many low-income and other excluded people are uninsured. Through group interviews in Victoria and New South Wales, they identified specific barriers to taking out or maintaining insurance cover – not just simple cost, but also perceived limitations of insurance products or insurers and attitudes to assets. Drawing on these findings, the authors propose measures to increase access to general insurance for households with limited incomes. To their credit: evaluating an experiment with personal loans for people on low incomes (PDF file, 185 KB) Rosanna Scutella and Genevieve Sheehan This study evaluates the Brotherhood of St Laurence and Community Sector Banking’s personal loan pilot. This program, trialed across Melbourne, provided small personal loans ($500 to $2,000) for people on low incomes to purchase household goods and services. An aim was to identify the barriers to credit for these consumers, and to advocate ways to overcome these barriers. On a small scale, the pilot highlighted the creditworthiness of a group of people on low incomes. For many participants, obtaining a loan was not only about money, but also about dignity and inclusion. The report recommends that the private sector, community organisations and government should work together to improve access to the mainstream credit market for people on low incomes.
A positive influence: equipping parents to support young people's career transitions (PDF file, 179 KB) Lois Bedson and Daniel Perkins This is the final evaluation of PACTS (Parents As Career Transition Supports), an innovative Brotherhood pilot project that aims to empower parents to better support their children's transitions from school to work and/or further education by building their knowledge of post-school pathways and the contemporary job market. The study found clear benefits to parents, including providing relevant information and skills, addressing their concerns and fostering communication with children about transitions, but also noted that the recruitment of parents to the program was resource-intensive. Innovative community responses in overcoming barriers to unemployment (PDF file, 206 KB) Stephen Ziguras and Jacinda Kleidon This report, prepared for the Department of Victorian Communities, comprises four case studies on local innovative approaches to employment support in disadvantaged communities. They are Neighbourhood Renewal in Fitzroy and Collingwood, an Adult Multicultural Education Service/BSL cleaning enterprise, YP4 young homeless jobseekers trial, and Westgate Community Initiatives Group disability employment programs. The full DVC report Victoria: Working Futures: Report of Victoria's Workforce Participation Taskforce 2005 contains summaries of the case studies and is available on the DVC website. The Brotherhood's Social Barometer: monitoring children's chances (PDF file, 184 KB) Rosanna Scutella and Paul Smyth In this first issue of the Social Barometer series, the Brotherhood of St Laurence (BSL) seeks to add to the literature highlighting the disadvantages facing some of Australia’s children. The Social Barometer: Children’s Chances presents indicators of children’s capabilities and childhood disadvantage. Each of the six dimensions reflects basic capabilities that every child should be free to develop, including to have good health, to read and write, to control one’s thoughts and emotions, to be free from violence and abuse, and to have access to an adequate level of economic resources. Joanne Hall and Pia Sim This report identifies current models and practices of spiritual care in a range of high and low care aged care settings in Melbourne, and considers the implications for best practice in intentional, integrated and wholistic spiritual care. It seeks to inform practice within the BSL facilities and to share learnings with other participating organisations and the wider aged care sector. Social exclusion among older people: a preliminary study from inner city Melbourne (PDF file, 125 KB) Catherine Waterhouse and Philippa Angley The authors interviewed twelve Brotherhood clients in three small focus groups in order to identify themes for further investigation of the nature and dimensions of social exclusion affecting older Australians. Their report includes people’s comments on topic ranging from income, housing, health care and transport to independence and participation. Daniel Perkins The aim of this study is to evaluate how well the Personal Support Programme (PSP) enables people with multiple non-vocational barriers to achieve economic and/or social outcomes. Interim findings suggest that PSP is a crucial and well-designed program for assisting some of the most disadvantaged job seekers, but that several factors reduce its effectiveness—notably, inadequate funding to help clients access services such as education and counselling to overcome barriers. While PSP’s recognition that some participants are unable to engage in employment-related activities before addressing personal barriers is vital, the lack of appropriate employment assistance integrated with personal support is an unfortunate limitation for those participants who feel ready to look for work. Social exclusion in Boroondara (PDF file, 222 KB) Jobs Australia (JA) and the Brotherhood of St Laurence (BSL) commissioned AC Nielsen to undertake a survey of frontline staff working in the Job Network (JN) in order to gather information about the current operation of the Job Network system. 2005 Refugees and regional settlement: Balancing priorities (PDF file 277 KB) Janet Taylor and Dayane Stanovic This report presents the findings of an exploratory study of the settlement experiences of two recent refugee groups (Iraqi and Sudanese) in regional Victoria (Shepparton, Colac and Warrnambool) and the factors that promote successful settlement. Rent Deduction Service: evaluation of March 2003 changes (PDF file, 33 KB) Sue Humphries and Sally Jope The BSL undertook for the Office of Housing an evaluation of changes made in March 2003 to better support public housing tenants with complex needs and people who were struggling to pay their rent. These changes included requirements that all new tenants and transferring tenants with a poor payment history and on Centrelink payments sign up to Centrelink’s Rent Deduction Service as a condition of their tenancy agreement. Key findings are documented in this 4-page report. Supporting young people’s career transition choices: the role of parents: interim evaluation (PDF file, 128 KB) Daniel Perkins and Carol Peterson This is the interim report of an evaluation of the Brotherhood's Parents As Career Transition Supports (PACTS) project, a DEST funded pilot project being run in schools on the Mornington Peninsula. The results so far strongly support the program model and highlight the importance of equipping parents for their vital role in the transition of their children from school to work or further education. Refugees and the labour market: Looking for cost-effective models of assistance (PDF file, 121 KB) Louise Kyle, Fiona Macdonald, James Doughney and Joanne Pyke Published by the Ecumenical Migration Centre of the Brotherhood of
While Commonwealth-funded settlement services for refugees stop short of employment assistance, mainstream employment programs are generally not equipped to address the particular and complex needs of refugees. Drawing on interviews with service providers and an examination of the Given the Chance pilot program which offered refugees a flexible case-managed combination of job skills training, mentoring, work experience and personal support, the researchers argue that targeted labour market programs combining individualised and group delivery can be a cost-effective approach to assisting refugees to enter the workforce. Employing young workers: How well are we managing them? (PDF file, 284 KB) Mary Tresize-Brown Discussion of youth employment has often focused on what employers want young people to have. This research project undertaken by the BSL’s Transitions Unit, in partnership with the Frankston Mornington Peninsula Local Learning and Employment Network, was designed to discover the other side—to identify skills and workplace characteristics that assist employers to be ‘youth-ready’. Helping local people get jobs: Insights from the Brotherhood of St Laurence experience in Fitzroy and Collingwood (PDF file, 128 KB) Pam Temby, George Housakos and Stephen Ziguras This report briefly describes the Brotherhood of St Laurence’s work to assist long-term unemployed residents of two inner city housing estates to gain employment. It outlines a model of labour market assistance based on investment in pre-vocational training, paid and unpaid work experience, traineeships, post-placement support and long-term personal support. It concludes with learnings from the project and policy implications for the Commonwealth government. Who's going to care? Informal care and an ageing population (PDF file, 394 KB) Richard Percival and Simon Kelly, NATSEM The Brotherhood of St Laurence and The Myer Foundation supported this research into the future demand and supply of informal care for older Australians, prepared for Carers Australia by NATSEM, University of Canberra. The authors predict a significant increase in the number of older persons needing informal care and a smaller increase in the number likely to be carers. Changing Pressures No.13 'Seeing clearly' (June 2004) (PDF file, 238 KB) This bulletin identifies factors which affect access to appropriate eyecare services by low-income Victorians. The researchers talked with 117 people living on low incomes and with 58 community and welfare workers. Better housing futures: Stimulating private investment in affordable housing (PDF file, 906 KB) The Allen Consulting Group This report prepared for the Affordable Housing Forum documents an investigation of policy options to finance an increased supply of affordable rental housing. This is needed because the shortage of such housing limits low-income households' access to employment and services, whereas well-located affordable housing contributes to efficient labour markets and economic growth. The authors considered three options -- government bonds, public-private partnerships and tax credits. They argue that a relatively modest financial outlay by government would be sufficient to alleviate housing stress and achieve substantial social and economic benefits. Early days much promise: An evaluation of the Home Instruction Program for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) in Australia (PDF file, 124 KB) Tim Gilley This paper reports the evaluation of a program designed to improve children’s educational attainment and self-esteem in the early years of school, by equipping and supporting parents to undertake lessons with their four and five-year-old children at home. It describes the program’s implementation in the multicultural environment of inner suburban What value independence? Is it a barrier to HACC services for financially disadvantaged older people? (PDF file, 246 KB) This Brotherhood of St Laurence report addresses the question of how people’s views about independence affect the use of community care services such as home care, personal care and delivered meals. Interviews with older people on low incomes suggest that some of them associate acceptance of services with dependence, which is something to be feared after a life of ‘making do’. Removing the barriers which prevent these marginalised people from receiving support is vital for the effective expansion of community care. Turning values into action: developing a Code of Ethical Behaviour (PDF file, 135 KB) Sonya Holm and Serena Lillywhite This report describes the process undertaken to develop a Code of Ethical Behaviour at the Brotherhood of St Laurence, as a means to improve corporate social responsibility. Although it does not aim to provide a template for other organisations, the report does include suggestions for drafting, implementing and monitoring a Code, which may assist others considering a similar project. Values, unemployment and public policy: the need for a new direction (PDF file, 135 KB) Daniel Perkins and Philippa Angley This BSL discussion paper examines the change in values informing public policy in Australia over the last 25 years, and its negative impact on society. Since the neoliberal policy framework is unable to effectively balance economic and social goals, governments need to go beyond the present short-term economic outlook and be more active in shaping society. The writers argue for government interventions to create employment – not a return to Keynesian job creation, but targeted interventions capable of generating substantial social and environmental benefits, whilst also improving Australia’s long-term economic performance. Preparing for what? Sally Jope and Rosie Beaumont This report presents findings from interviews with young job seekers, Centrelink officers and youth workers, and from the examination of Preparing for Work Agreements. Highlighting communication problems and the limited range of activities included in agreements, it recommends improvements in the administrative processes which are supposed to assist young job seekers receiving Youth Allowance to find work. Download the 4-page summary as a PDF file Eleven plus: life chances and family income Janet Taylor and Alex Fraser Newest report from the Brotherhood’s longitudinal Life Chances Study of children born in 1990. It explores family change, current issues including schooling, and the children’s own perspectives on their lives at 11 and 12 years of age. A 4-page summary (PDF file, 69KB) outlines the main findings from the full report. Much obliged: Stephen Ziguras, Gavin Dufty and Mark Considine A joint research project conducted by the Brotherhood of St Laurence, the St Vincent de Paul Society and the Centre for Public Policy, University of Melbourne, which reveals that some Centrelink requirements actually hinder people, especially those facing multiple barriers, from finding work.The authors argue that the Federal Government should provide more resources for programs targeting disadvantaged jobseekers. Who will care? Philippa Angley and Belinda Newman This report from a joint research project of the Brotherhood of Doing business responsibly Sonya Holm and Serena Lillywhite In 2002 the Brotherhood of St Laurence was invited to participate as a research group investigating the category of Ethics and Corporate Governance for the Good Reputation Index which ranks the top 100 corporations operating in Australia. The overall GRI results were published in The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald in October 2002. Doing business responsibly is the report of the Brotherhood of St Laurence research.
The early years Rosemary Rogers and Jenny Martin This document reports on Phase Two of the Early Years Project, undertaken by the Brotherhood of St Laurence in conjunction with the Centre for Community Child Health, which gathered information about services provided in three Melbourne municipalities for children aged up to 3 years, from disadvantaged families, and sought to identify gaps and opportunities in service provision. Download the (separate) appendices (PDF file, 145KB) Values and civic behaviour in Australia: Project report (PDF file, 124 KB) Charne Flowers Draws together the findings from a background paper, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, under key themes:
2002 ISBN 1 876250 48 8 Values and civic behaviour: Executive summary (2 pages) (PDF file, 3 KB) Values and civic behaviour: In-depth interview report (PDF file, 856KB) Values and civic behaviour: Focus group discussions report (PDF file, 272 KB) Values and civic behaviour: Research method (PDF file, 176 KB) The community expects . . . : Unemployed people who fail to comply with their activity test requirements are penalised by having their benefits reduced. Recent research has shown that the number of breaches has escalated dramatically since 1997 and that breaches are falling most heavily on the most disadvantaged job seekers. This study investigated whether the Australian public think the current levels of penalties for breaching are fair or not and what they think the penalties should be. This survey showed that the current penalty regime is not supported by the community, and that the public would support a reduction in breach penalties. Changing faces in Craigieburn and Roxburgh Park (PDF file, 195 KB) Linda Kelly, Meredith Levi and Helen Denney Presents information from a consultation with members of the local community living in Craigieburn and Roxburgh Park, on Melbourne's northern metropolitan fringe. The research identified demographic characteristics as well as strengths and gaps in existing services. It included a limited review of programs at the Brotherhood of St Laurence Centre at Craigieburn, with recommendations about responding to community needs. 4-page summary (PDF file, 114 KB) Poverty in Australia: Jeanette Johnson This small-scale study explored, through a number of focus groups, community understandings of poverty and people’s responses to various statements about poverty. The report points to communications approaches and themes which are likely to heighten awareness and prompt action towards an Australia free of poverty. Developing dialogues about poverty in Australia: key findings (PDF file, 48 KB) Sally Jope This reports the findings of the second stage of the Understanding Poverty project. It identifies important communications strategies for engaging with the general community and with government and policymakers. It highlights the role of personal stories and appropriate indicators in unpacking the complexity of poverty, and the value of partnerships in mobilising community action. Search research publications database
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