My career goal is to work with disadvantaged families in a community development/caseworker role. The aim of this role is to work with families or small groups to facilitate outcomes that suit their situation. The skills needed include communication, listening, and empathy. Families must be at ease with me and feel that I am hearing their issues. I must be non-judgemental and not make assumptions about circumstances so that we can build a trusting relationship. Cultural awareness will also help to facilitate communications and the provision of appropriate services for migrants and Indigenous Australians. The principles I will use to guide my work are those of community development. These principles promote “responsibility for identifying ones own needs and managing one’s own welfare, resources, and directions” (Kenny, 2006, p. 8). Thus, I will adopt an asset-based approach, working with an individual’s strengths rather than concentrating on their weaknesses, and facilitate capacity building to broaden capabilities and empower decision making.
Knowledge of the issues, community, and available services is necessary to perform this role. It is imperative to have an understanding of the relationship between the factors that lead to poverty and how they interact. For example, low levels of education can lead to unemployment and low wages, which affects a family’s ability to access affordable housing and creates bill stress. This knowledge puts each family’s situation in perspective and avoids stereotyping. It is important to have an understanding of the community where I work, so that I can provide appropriate assistance. Demographics can provide a broad picture of a community, although it is essential that assumptions are not made about individuals based on this information. Information about the migrant and Indigenous populations, education levels, and age groups, for example, will help with program development. Comprehensive information is available through the Australian Bureau of Statistics census (http://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/censushome.nsf/home/data). Research should also be conducted on other local community information and history. For example, the area where I currently work has introduced voluntary and mandatory income management. As a caseworker, this information is valuable in understanding neighbourhood issues and frustrations. Building networks with government agencies, non-profits, service providers, community centres, and schools will allow me to provide suitable referrals for clients and advocate on their behalf. This can be achieved by attending events, community and council meetings, and making a concerted effort to meet with representatives of these organisations. They in turn, may be able to refer individuals and families to me for assistance. I must be aware of current welfare eligibility and payment information, so I have an understanding of each family’s financial situation. There is a large amount of information available on the federal government website that relates to payments and services. This information will help me to understand the current welfare income of my clients, provide them with government information and guidelines, and refer them to suitable service providers. Information about payments and services for the aged, families, Indigenous Australians, unemployed, housing, migrants, women, youth, and students are included. The Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) also provides useful information relating to payments, services, and general updates and policy changes. |
Federal government
http://australia.gov.au/topics/benefits-payments-and-services Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs http://www.fahcsia.gov.au/ Workers must also be able to access information relevant to the role and issues. One option is membership of the Australian Council of Social Service, the peak body for the community service sector. This organisation researches social issues, develops policy submissions and advice for government and other organisations, educates the public and decision makers, advocates for the disadvantaged, and provides a wide range of information about social issues (Australian Council of Social Service, 2010). The Australian Institute of Family Studies is a government body that conducts research projects and provides information. Information from such organisations will guide practice and keep me up-to-date with the latest information, issues, and changes.
I will be required to follow some legal requirements.
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