JESUITSOCIALSERVICESSUBMISSIONTOTHEVICTORIANINQUIRYINTOTHELABOURHIREINDUSTRYANDINSECUREWORK

For further informationcontact:

SallyParnell,A/CEO JesuitSocial ServicesTel:9412-7600

Jesuit SocialServiceswelcomestheopportunitytorespond totheVictorianInquiryintotheLabourHireIndustryand InsecureWork.Wecommendthe focuson improving thesafeguards andsupports forworkersinVictoria, butparticularlythosewho are morevulnerableandmorelikelytobeexposedtoexploitationintheworkplace.

Our expertise

JesuitSocial Serviceshasbeen alongstandingadvocatefor peoplewhoarehighlyvulnerable in society.For over37 years,wehaveaccompaniedpeoplefacingdisadvantage.Byworkinginsolidaritywithpeoplewho areinneed,JesuitSocial Servicesstrives to build ajust society where thedignity ofallpeople isrespectedandthecommongoodispursued.

Our workisgroundedinyearsofexperienceworkingwithpeopleinvolved in thejusticesystem,culturallyandlinguisticdiversecommunities,refugeesandasylum seekers, youngpeoplewith mental healthissues andindigenouscommunities.Inparticular,our JesuitCommunityCollege,our IgniteSocial Enterprise, ourAfricanAustralianInclusionPrograminpartnershipwithNational AustraliaBank(NAB)ourWorkplaceInclusionProgramandourIndustryEmployment Initiativeallworkdirectlywithpeopleat differentpointsalong theeducationandemploymentpathway.These programsarehighlysuccessful at re-engagingvulnerablegroups,supportingthem throughalternativepathwaysineducation andemployment.These practical programs providesupportforpeopleto learn, train andtake upemploymentopportunities.

Our servicedelivery andadvocacyfocusesonthefollowing keyareas:

  • Justiceandcrimeprevention -forpeopleinvolvedwith the criminaljusticesystem
  • Education, trainingandemployment-for peoplewithbarriers tosustainableemployment
  • Mentalhealthandwellbeing-for peoplewithmultiple and complexneedsandthoseaffected bytrauma, suicide,andcomplexbereavement
  • Settlement andcommunitybuilding-for recentlyarrivedimmigrants, refugees,displacedpeople and disadvantagedcommunities.

Our employment initiatives aredescribedbelow.Afull descriptionofourprogramsinprovided atAppendix1.

  • Jesuit CommunityCollege: TheCollege isa RegisteredTrainingOrganisation andLearnLocal organisation.Weassistpeoplefacingsignificantbarriers to learning,providingrealskills for life,learningandwork.
  • ArtfulDodgersStudios:Partof Jesuit CommunityCollegeprovidingpathwaystoeducation, trainingandemployment for youngpeoplewithmultiple and complexneedsassociatedwithmental health,substanceabuseandhomelessness.
  • AfricanAustralianInclusionProgram:ApartnershipbetweenJesuit Social Servicesand theNationalAustraliaBankthat providespaidworkexperienceplacementsforpeoplefromAfricancommunities.
  • SocialenterpriseIgniteCafés:Our IgniteCafes(locatedinHawthorn andCamberwell)are 'livingclassrooms'wherepeoplegainon-the-job, realworkexperiences and certifiedtraining.
  • WorkplaceInclusionprogram: Aprogram ofJesuitCommunityCollegethatpartnersdirectlywithemployerstoprovide tailoredpre-placement trainingandentry levelemploymentopportunities forpeopleexperiencingsignificantbarriers to social and

economicinclusion. Sinceitsinceptionin2013, theWorkplaceInclusionProgram hasworkedwithover30 employersandplaced 43participantsinemploymentopportunities.

  • IndustryEmploymentInitiative:TheIndustryEmployment Initiative(IEI) isdevelopingandprototyping a demand-ledemploymentmodel thatcanmeet theentry-levelrecruitment needs ofnational employersaroundthecountry whileimprovingemploymentoutcomesfor long-term unemployedjobseekerswhowantto work.ThroughtheIEI,JesuitCommunityCollege is currentlyworkingwithColesSupermarketstosupport30highlydisadvantagedyoungpeopleintoentrylevelemployment.

Summaryof our recommendations

  • Supportalternativelabourhiremodelsthatcanmeet the needsof disadvantagedworkers
  • Advocateforchanges toCentrelinkpractices tobetterfacilitate labourhireandothercasualemploymentopportunitiesforpeople onunemploymentbenefits
  • Investinpreventingearlyschoolleavingandlinkthosewholeave toappropriatesupports
  • Createafundingstreamtosupport the access of disadvantagedlearnerstohighqualityeducationandtrainingprograms
  • Supportprovenapproaches toworkingwithdisengagedanddisadvantagedgroupsintoeducationandemployment
  • Fundon-the-jobplacement support as acorecomponentofall employmentprogramsfordisadvantagedgroups
  • Targetinvestment intheeducationandtrainingneedsofpeopleinvolved in thejusticesystem
  • Trialwhole-of-communityapproaches inthemost highlydisadvantagedcommunitiesin order toenhancethe employabilityofdisadvantagedgroups.

Summary

Our submissionfocuseslargelyonthe issue ofinsecureworkandtoalesserextent wecomment onthe labour hireindustry.Inparticular wehighlight the issuesfacedbydisadvantagedgroups inemployment and the way inwhichinsecurework disproportionatelyaffectsthisgroup. Disadvantagedgroupsarenotonly morelikelytoexperienceinsecurework, but theyaremorelikelytoexperiencethe negative aspects ofinsecurework.Wethereforearguethatoneofthekeywaysto addresstheproblemsassociatedwithinsecureworkistoempowerandprotectdisadvantagedgroups in employment throughtailoredandintensivesupports.

Pleasealso see our recent responsetotheVictorianGovernment’sEmploymentProgramsReviewwhichcoversrelatedemploymentissues.

Q. Doesthe useoflabourhirearrangementslead topositiveoutcomes forVictorianworkers,businessesand thebroader community?Whatproblemsdoesitcreate?

Someofourprogramparticipants applyfor workthroughlabour hirefirms.Labourhirefirmsfor peoplecomingout of prisonforexample, canbe agood way to gainsomeshort-termworkexperience anda recentemploymentreference. Thiscan beespeciallyimportant forsomeone who may nothave been in theworkforcefor manyyears.However manylabourhirefirms stillrequire peoplewith recentexperience,who arejobready, andhaveexperienceand skillsinparticular areas.Forour programsthismeansprovidingthe same levelsofsupporttothe person asthey wouldanyotherjobapplicationprocess.Thisinvolvessupport aroundtheapplicationprocesses (which aregenerallyonlineand oftenquitecomplex)preparing thepersonfor interview andassistingwithattainingappropriatelicensesandchecks.

Thenatureoflabour hireworkcanmakeworking life especiallydifficultfor peoplewho aredisadvantaged.Thefollowingdescribeshowaspectsoflabourhirework –inparticular, theinconsistentandunpredictablelevelsofwork, inwhichpeople arerequired torespondatshort notice,andturn uptodifferentlocationscanbe especiallychallengingforpeoplewithlimitedresources intermsofmoneyandaccessto a reliablevehicle.In addition theinconsistentincomeoflabourhireworkcan impactonCentrelinkbenefitsand aperson’sabilityto comply withCentrelinkrequirements. Thefollowingdiscussestheseissues inmoredetail.

LabourhireworkandCentrelinkpracticeandprocesses

One ofthesignificantproblemsour participants encounter whenengagingwithlabourhirefirmsincludesthe unpredictableandinconsistentavailability ofwork.Forpeople onCentrelinkbenefits, theon-again,off-againnature oflabourhireworkcreatesconsiderableadministrativedifficultiesfor their Centrelinkpayments,includingeligibility forHealthCareCards. Some ofour participantshavefoundthe difficultiesinvolvedinconstantlyre-negotiatingCentrelinkpaymentshasledtobeing cutoffallincomeforperiodsoftime. Formanypeoplewho areemployed on an intermittentbasis, the stressandpotentialforproblemsindealingwithCentrelinkrequirementsresultsinmany peoplesimplyoptingout oflabourhireworkarrangements.

Centrelinkrequirepeopleon Newstart tonotify themonthedaytheycommenceemploymentsothat their benefitscanbe reducedfor thatfortnight. However the problem forpeopletakinguplabour hireworkisthatthey oftendon’t receiveincomefrom the labour hirefirmforuptofourweeksfromcommencingthework. For someonewhomay alreadybestruggling tomeet basicbills,such astheir rent,thissituationcanresult inthemhavinglittle

ornoincomefor thatfortnight. In additionifapersonfailsto notifyCentrelinkuntiltheyactuallyreceive thelabourhireincometheyarethenconsideredinarrearsandmustpaybackbenefits to Centrelink.Thissituationcan berepeatedmanytimesoveraperiodofmonths. It iscommonfor administrativemistakesandmiscommunicationto occur.Manypeoplefind themselvescutofffrom benefitswithoutnotice, andinvolvedinongoingdisputeswithCentrelinkwhich isoftenstressful andtimeintensive.

In addition,taking up labourhireworkon anad-hocbasiscanalsocreatehavocwith othercomplianceissuesrelated toCentrelinkbenefitssuch as attendingappointments with JobServicesproviders. It isnotuncommon for people tofail to attendanappointmentwith JobServicesbecausetheyhave just takenup employment that samedayandhave nothadthetimeto be ableto notify JobServices.Forpeoplefrom disadvantagedbackgrounds, whomayhavelowliteracy,limitedEnglishskills, andaredealingwith arangeofother challengesintheirlives, the problem ofcontinuouslynegotiatingwithCentrelinkaroundshort-termworkarrangements oftenbecomesuntenable andtheyceasetaking up labourhirework.

Despite theincreasingcasualizationoftheworkforceover the past twodecades, theadministrationofwelfarebenefitsappearstostilllargely be based onanongoingmodel ofemployment. Inthe experienceofour staffinsupportingdisadvantagedgroupstheadministrationandrequirementsassociatedwithCentrelinkbenefitsinthecontext oflabourhirecan oftenimpederather thanfacilitateemployment opportunities.

Thehiddenadditional resourcesrequiredof on-hiredworkers

Labourhirework generallyrequireson-hiredworkers to be available atshort noticetotravelto differentlocations.Thisrequirementcanbe particularlydifficultfor peoplewhodue tothelimitedincomemay nothave access toareliablecar, orhavelimitedaccesstoacar.Forexample one carmaybesharedamongst manymembersofafamily.Thiscan leadtopeoplestruggling tomeet therequirements ofemploymentandcreatestresson otherfamilymembers.In additionlabourhirefirmsgenerallyrequirethaton-hiredworkershavetheirownmobilephone andaccesstoemail. For disadvantagedgroupsthiscanrepresent anadditional requirementandhiddencost totherequirements of theiremployment.

Training andOH&Sprovidedbylabourhirefirms

It hasbeenrecognisedin anumber ofreportsandinquiriesthaton-hiredworkers areparticularlyvulnerable tohealth and safetyrisks. In our experiencepeoplefromdisadvantagedbackgroundswho mayhavelowlevelsofliteracy,limitedEnglishskillsorhave been outofthework forceforalongperiod oftime,canbemorevulnerableoccupational risks. Thisiscompounded in labourhiresituations,where apersonmayberequiredtoregularlyworkinunfamiliarworkenvironments.Notonlyaretheylessfamiliarwith theworkplaceenvironment, theyarelesslikelytofeel confident aboutcalling onthehelpofother workers,theymaybe lessqualifiedin the areaofwork, andthere is alsoagreater riskthat otherstaffmayassignthemworkforwhich theymaynotbe fullyqualifiedtoundertake.

In additionwe areawarethatmanylabourhirefirmsuseonlinetutorialsfor teachingOH&S.Thiscan present a problemfor peoplewithlowliteracyandlanguagedifficulties and thosethat may notbeconfidentwithcomputersandonlinematerials.

In summary whilelabourhire canrepresent onthefaceitanappealingflexibleemploymentoption, thecurrent structuresandsystemsof mostlabour hirefirmsmakesitdifficultifnotimpossiblefor peoplefromdisadvantagedbackgroundstoaccesslabour hirearrangements.Thisoperatesasa disincentive to seeklabour hireemploymentandrunscounter totheaims

andeffortsof governmentemploymentpoliciesthatseektoencourageemployment.Howeverin ourviewlabourhirefirmsdo nothave tobe operatedinthis way.Labourhiremodelscould besupportedthatcan offer additional support todisadvantagedgroups. InadditionCentrelinkshouldbe encouragedtochangetheir practicesto ensure that people onunemploymentbenefitsdo notfaceunnecessarybarriers to takinguplabourhireemployment.

  1. Whatexperienceorevidence can you provide ofexploitationofvulnerableworkersin Victoria?

Clearlycertaingroupsinthe Victoriancommunityaremorevulnerable to exploitation inemployment, suchasvulnerableyoungpeople,AboriginalandTorresStraitIslanderpeople,peoplefrom refugeebackgroundswithlimitedEnglish,peoplewithdisabilities,peoplein thejusticesystem,womenwithcaringresponsibilities and low-skilledworkersfor example. Inourexperiencethesegroupsaremorelikelyto become‘trapped’ ininsecureworkoftenduetotheirlackofotheremploymentoptions.

In addressing the problemofinsecureworkit isimportant tounderstandthelinksbetweeninsecureworkandstructuraldisadvantage - inwhichgroups ofpeoplebecauseoflifecircumstancesarefar morevulnerable toinsecurework.Limitedemploymentoptions, lowemployabilityand the needfor flexibilityinemploymentarrangementsareall corefactorswhich canmakepeoplemorevulnerable.

In ourviewresponses toinsecurework mustbejoined up with othergovernment andcommunityeffortsto addresssocio-economicdisadvantage andexclusion.TheBackgroundpapernotesthat insecureworkhasbeendescribed as‘poorqualityworkthatprovidesworkers withlittleeconomicsecurityandlittlecontrol over their workinglives.’Essentiallythisdescriptiondescribeswhatwealreadyknowabout jobsatthebottom oftheemploymentladder. It isthesejobswithlowpayand poor conditionsthatarenearly alwaysoccupied byvulnerable and disadvantagedgroups.

Whilewemust have astrongsystemofindustrialprotectionstotackletheproblemofinsecureworkwemustalsoinvestineducationandtrainingof disadvantagedgroups- inordertoenhancetheir employmentoptionsandtherebyreducetheir vulnerabilitytoexploitation.

Educational disadvantagedrivinginsecurework

Educationplaysa critical role in addressingmany oftheoverlappingissuesencounteredbyvulnerable and disadvantagedgroups.Unfortunately,inAustralia,themostvulnerablepeoplestillfacesignificantbarriers tosuccessfulparticipationthe educationsystem,withsocioeconomicstatuscontinuing to have amajor influenceonthe educationalattainmentlevelsofAustralians.1

In Victoria, morethan36,000youngpeopleaged15-19(about 10 percent)arenotineducation, trainingoremployment. In additionaround one infiveyoungpeopleleave schoolbeforecompletingYear12.2Almosthalfof theseyoungpeople endupmarginalisedinthelabour force, eitherininsecureemploymentoroutofwork.Childrenfromdisadvantagedbackgroundsareover-representedamongearlyschool leavers,with alowerrate ofyear12

1Productivity Commission, 2013, Report on GovernmentServices,

2Victorian Auditor GeneralReport 2012, StudentCompletion Rates,

completion. People inthelowestsocio-economicareasareapproximately20 percentlesslikelyto attainYear 12or equivalent.3

Theconsequenceisasignificantcohort ofpeoplewholack thenecessary literacy,numeracyandproblem solvingskillsnecessaryforadecent wage andsecureemployment.Addressingthisinequalityisperhapsthemost fundamentalchangethatwouldalter the lifeopportunitiesofdisadvantagedpeople,andshould bea priority objectiveofgovernment.

Theneed forearlyinterventionapproaches

JesuitSocial Servicessupportsan early interventionapproachtoearlyschoolleaving.Fundingneedsto be providedforoutreachworkerstoreengagestudentsineducationandtraining,andrespondtothecauseof their disengagement promptlyandthereforeminimisethe exacerbation ofbarriers to learning.In addition,studentsatriskofdisengagingneedtobe identified andthereneeds tobe amorediverserange ofschoolingmodelssothat we canretainvulnerablestudentsin theschoolingsystem.

Adjustingfundingmodelstodirectadditionalresourcestoschoolswithhighnumbersofdisadvantagedstudentsisonewayto contributetothisobjective.Investing in theeducational needsofpeoplemakessoundeconomicsense ifwe are topreventdisenfranchisement and economicdisadvantage,and thesubsequentcost to individualsandtheir families, andtothecommunitymorebroadly.

VET system reformsimpactingon disadvantagedgroups

TheVocational EducationandTraining(VET) system providesan importantpathway forpeoplefromdisadvantagedbackgroundstogainqualificationsandfinddecentandmeaningful work.Since2008, the VETsystem hasundergonesignificantreform, resultinginunfavourablechangesfordisadvantagedgroups.Thesereformssawa rise in poorqualitytrainingprovisionand areduction infundingforequityprograms. Consequently,therehavebeenfewerenrolmentsfrompeopleacrossarangeofvulnerablegroups inthelastyear,andofthe studentswho do enrol, manyfindthetransition tofurther studyand/oremploymentchallenging.

Theconsequenceisthat manypeoplewhohave had poor experiences inschool,and wholack theskillsor motivation toindependentlyengageinVETprograms, havevery limitedopportunitiestobe engagedintraining.

Researchclearlyindicatesthat thecritical characteristics ofprogramsthat effectivelyengagedisadvantagedgroups include:

  • Intensiveandsustainedengagement: strongrelationshipbuilding;outreach instrategicallylocatedareas; quickresponsesto early school leaving
  • Support forwider needs ofthelearners: tailoredsupportservicesthroughmultidisciplinaryteams;engagingstudents’supportnetworks; strongpartnershipsbetweeneducationproviders, supportorganisations andthe localcommunity
  • Flexiblelearningenvironments: flexiblelearningoptions; soft entrypoints;welcomingandsupportivelearningenvironments; relevantandinterestingcurriculum;embeddingliteracyandnumeracy; mentoringandstrong peerrelationships
  • Pathways intofurther learningandwork:volunteering, on-the-jobtraining,careerguidance; partnershipsbetweenbusinesses,educationprovidersand local

3Australian SocialInclusion Board, 2012 SocialInclusionin Australia.HowAustralia isfaring2nd Edition,

communityorganisations;continuedsupportforbroaderindividual needsinemploymentsettings.

A moresystematic andbetter resourcedapproach is requiredfor disengagedanddisadvantagedgroups. Education andtrainingprogramsneedtobetailoredfordisadvantagedgroups inorder to address whatiscurrentlya significantgap in theeducationandtrainingsystem.Such anapproach isneededtoensureequitableaccess fordisadvantagedgroupstotheemployment market.

Peopleinthejusticesystemare particularly vulnerabletoinsecurework

Peopleinvolvedin the justicesystemcan beparticularlyvulnerable to insecurework.Researchconsistently showsthat themajority ofpeopleinvolvedin the justicesystem haveloweducationlevelsandoftencomefrom backgroundsofentrencheddisadvantage.4Inaddition, most havelimitededucationanda limitedemployment history. Theymayalso bestrugglingwith a rangeofother difficultiesincludingmental healthproblems, substanceabuse,and lackconfidence inmanyareas of their lives.Moreoftenthey have abackgroundofearly disengagementfrom schooling.We believe that thereneedstobegreater investmentinthevocational andemployment needsofthisgroup.We believethere needstobeinvestment inthe employmentneedsof thisgroupto providethem withaccesstoemploymentanddivertthemawayfromthe criminaljusticesystemandassociatedindividualandcommunity costs.

Further, statisticsshowsthat:

  • In Victorialessthan7%ofthe adultmaleprisonerpopulationhave asecondary,tradeor tertiaryeducation
  • Around90% of maleprisonersand80% of femaleprisonershave not completedsecondary schooling
  • 60%of maleprisonersand76% of femaleprisonerswereunemployedwhentheyenteredcustody.

Our YouthJusticeCommunity Support Services(YJCSS)staffareaware ofthe specificdifficultiesfor youngpeople in thejusticesysteminaccessingemployment opportunities. Inourexperiencemainstreamemploymentprogramsaregenerallynotabletorespondtothecomplexneedsof thiscohort.Reengaging theseyoungpeople in education andemploymentiscriticaltotheir futureoutcomes.

What worksforhighlydisadvantagedgroups?

Forhighlydisadvantagedjobseekers, the barrierstheyfacemeanthat theyaresomedistancefromenteringtheformallabourmarket,letalonesecuringandmaintainingdecentwork. Programsthatsupport people totransitionon tofurtheropportunitiesaremorelikelytosee long-term reengagement in theeducationsystem andpositiveemploymentoutcomes.

Short-term approachestoemployment assistance areineffectivewithvulnerable anddisadvantagedpeople. Under the currentarrangements,manyprogramsarefunded asshort-term models,withlimitedadditional support.

A relationshipneedsto bebuiltwith thepersonparticularlyintheinitial stages,inorder tofullyidentifytheperson’sbarriers to employment. Buildingpositiverelationshipsplaysacrucial rolewhenengagingdisadvantagedgroups.By engagingandsupportingvulnerable

4Australian Instituteof Health and Welfare, TheHealth of Australia’sprisoners, 2012,

anddisadvantagedgroups, througharelationshipbuiltover time,theseindividualscanrestoretheir confidenceandtrust ineducationandemployment environments.

Forvulnerable and disadvantagedgroupssoftentriespoints toeducation, trainingandeventualemploymentarecriticaltofacilitatingtheirparticipation.Many disadvantagedgroups donot have theconfidence orknowledgeto accesslargeeducational or traininginstitutions, anddo not feel preparedtoaccessmainstream employmentprograms. Softentrypoints arelocal,welcoming,non-threateningenvironmentsthatengagepeople in arangeofeducationally-relatedactivities.Byworkingwithpeople in thecontextofartandmusicfor example,createsopportunitiesfor buildingrelationships andtrust.

Weknowthat for disadvantagedgroups,job placement supportiscritical tosustainable andsecureemployment outcomes.Thisstepismissingin many ofthe current programs.

Disadvantagedcommunitiesimpacted byinsecureemployment

TheDroppingOff the Edge(DOTE) reportbyJesuitSocial Services and CatholicSocialServicesAustralia(2015) foundthat themost vulnerablefourpercent oflocalities in Victoriashowedhighrates ofunemployment, criminalconvictions,disability,childmaltreatment,familyviolence and psychiatricadmissionsalongsidelowlevelsofeducation.5

DOTEresearchshowsthatasignificant number ofpostcodeshavepersistent,entrencheddisadvantage. For example those livinginthe 3% mostdisadvantagedpostcodes inthestateare:

  • 3.6 timesas likelyto have spent time in prison
  • 3.3 timesas likelyto beexperiencinglongtermunemployment
  • Nearly3 timesmorelikelyto have alowlevelofeducation.

Locatingplacesoflearningandexpandingemploymentpathwayswithinvulnerablecommunities’helpsto alleviatesomestructural andaccessibilitybarriers toeducationandemployment. Researchsuggestsa localised, targetedstrategy isthebest way ofincreasingparticipation byvulnerablegroupsinthe VETsector.6

Werecommend:

  • Fundingalternative labourhiremodelsthatare abletomeet the needs ofdisadvantagedworkers.Thegovernmentshouldsupportalternativelabourhiremodelsthat provideholisticsupport todisadvantagedgroupsas a way to support themonthepathwayto secureemployment.
  • Advocating forchangestoCentrelinkpracticestobetterfacilitatelabourhireandothercasualemploymentopportunitiesforpeople onunemploymentbenefits.Thestategovernmentshouldadvocate tothe commonwealth governmenttochangeCentrelinkpracticeswhich actasbarrierstocasual employment (includinglabourhire)for people on Centrelinkbenefits.

5Vinson TRawsthorneM, 2015, DroppingOff theEdge,PersistentCommunalDisadvantage in Australia,Jesuit SocialServicesandCatholic SocialServices Australia,

6Davies,Lamb Doecke 2011, Strategic Reviewof Effective Re-EngagementModelsfor Disengaged Learners,Victorian DepartmentofEducation and Early Childhood Development,

  • Investinginpreventingearlyschool leavingandlinkingthosewholeave toappropriatesupports. Keepvulnerablechildrenandyoungpeopleengagedinlearningbyfundingarea-basedworkers tofollowup withthosewhodisengageandmatchthemto learningopportunities.
  • Creatingafundingstreamto support the access of disadvantagedlearnersto highqualityeducationandtrainingprograms by:
  • Creatingflexiblefundingpackages.
  • Enabling flexiblefundingpackages tocover the costs tomeetstudents’needswhich mayimposebarriersto participation
  • Ensuringallpre-accredited,CertificateI andCertificateII coursesengagingdisadvantagedlearnersarefee-freeor have avery smallcappedco-paymentamount.
  • Supportingprovenapproaches toworkingwithdisengagedanddisadvantagedgroupsintoeducationandemployment.Softentryapproachesthatcombineengagement activities andflexibleeducational deliveryarecritical to building theconfidenceofdisadvantagedgroupsandprovide a pathwayto education, trainingandeventualsecureemployment into thefuture.
  • Fundingon-the-jobplacement support as acorecomponentofall employmentprogramsfordisadvantagedgroups. On-the-jobsupportwouldhelp tosupport therightsand empowervulnerablegroupsinemployment.
  • Targetinginvestmentin theeducationandtrainingneedsofpeople involved in thejusticesystem.Providetargetedandtailoredsupport tothiscohortincludingpreparingthemfor trainingand/oremploymentonrelease,andsupporton-the-job trainingintheearlystages.
  • Triallingwhole-of-communityapproachesinthemosthighlydisadvantagedcommunities. Aspart ofa whole-of-community responseinvestineducationprogramsand theexpansionofemploymentpathwaysalongsideother support services suchasmental health, domesticviolence and homelessnessservices in ordertoenhance theemployabilityofdisadvantagedgroups andthereforereduceinsecurework.

Appendix 1:Jesuit SocialServices programsJusticeandcrimepreventionprograms

AfricanVisitationandMentoringProgram(AVAMP)

TheAfricanVisitationandMentoringProgram(AVAMP)isrunfromtheBrosnanCentreinBrunswick.ItisaninitiativedeliveredbytheJesuitSocialServicesinpartnershipwithCorrectionsVictoria,providingmentoringsupporttopeoplefromanAfricanbackgroundwhohavebeenimprisonedintheMelbourneregion.

BrosnanServices

BrosnanServicesisaholisticsupportserviceforyoungpeopleexitingadultprisonsand/orYouthJusticecentres,whoareassessedashighrisk/need,withlimitedsocialandfamilynetworks,limitedaccommodationandpostreleasesupportoptionsandexperiencingmultipleandcomplexhealthproblems.

Brosnanstaffdeliverqualityprogramsinamannerthatreflectsthesocialjusticeprinciplesofparticipation,equity,accessandrespect.Servicesinclude:intensiveoutreachsupport,casemanagement,supportedaccommodation,drugandalcoholcounselling,recreationprograms,employment/trainingprograms,24/7afterhoursemergencyassistanceanddutyworkandreferralservice.

CorrectionsVictoriaReintegrationProgram

JesuitSocialServicesdeliverspost-releasesupporttopeopleexitingprisoninthenorthandwestofMelbourneaspartoftheCorrectionsVictoriaReintegrationProgram(CVRP).

TheCVRPprogramprovidesvoluntary,targetedpost-releasesupportforupto12monthstohighrisk/complexneedsandhighprofileoffendingmenandwomen.Supportprovidedusesanindividuallytailored,casemanagementapproachthataddresseskeydomainsincluding;housingandmaterialsupports,assistancewithfamilyreunification,day-of-releasesupport,referraltospecialistservices(suchasdrugandalcoholcounsellingemployment/trainingprograms,supportedaccommodation)and24/7afterhoursemergencyassistanceandreferralservice.

Nextsteps

NextStepsisaHomelessnessInnovationActionProjectthataimstopreventhomelessnessforhighlyvulnerableyoungpeople16-24whointersectwiththeyouthjusticeoradultjusticesystems.NextStepsdeliversintensive,multicomponentcasemanagementsupportthataddressestheissuesofhomelessnessandoffending,incorporatingtherapeuticelementsandlinkstotraining,vocationalandemploymentservices.

BasedinCarlton,DillonHouse,isthesupportedaccommodationcomponentofNextSteps,andprovidestemporary,short-termortransitional24hoursupportedaccommodationforyoungpeopleinvolvedincorrectionsortheyouthjusticesystem.

YouthJusticeCommunitySupportServices

TheYouthJusticeCommunitySupportProgramprovidesintensivecasemanagementforyoungpeopleaged10-21engagedwiththejusticesystem.OurapproachbringstogetheragenciescurrentlysupportingYouthJusticeclientstoworkalongsidestatutoryYouthJusticeCaseManagersto:

  • achieveareductionintherate,severityandfrequencyofre-offending
  • enableyoungpeopletomakeaneffectivetransitiontoadulthood,and
  • developyoungpeople'scapacityforeconomic,socialandculturalparticipation

YouthJusticeGroupConferencing

YouthJusticeGroupConferencingisasentencingoptionbasedonrestorativejusticeprinciplesthataimstobalancetheneedsofyoungpeople,victimsandthecommunitybyencouragingdialogueinacontrolledandstructuredwaybetweenindividualswhohaveoffended,theirvictimsandthewidercommunity.YoungpeoplewhocanbereferredtoYouthJusticeGroupConferencingincludeyoungpeopleaged10to17(atthetimeofoffending)whohave:

  • pleadedguiltyorhavebeenfoundguiltyofoffence(s)thatdonotincludehomicide,manslaughter,sexoffences;and
  • appearedincourtonapreviousoccasionandhavecommittedoffence(s)seriousenoughtowarrantasupervisoryorder(primarilyaprobationorder)tobeconsideredbythecourt;or
  • havecommittedoffence(s)seriousenoughtowarrantasupervisoryorderontheirfirstappearance;and
  • consentedtoparticipate;and
  • beenassessedassuitablebyaDHHSYouthJusticeOfficer.

Education,trainingandemployment

TheArtfulDodgersStudios

TheArtfulDodgersStudiosprovideinnovativeandcreativespacesforyoungpeopletoworkinfullyequippedartandmusicstudioswithexperiencedartistsandmusicians.Exploringanddevelopingtheircreativeskillsandgettinginvolvedinprojects,exhibitionsandpublicoutcomeevents.

BasedinCollingwoodtheprogramoffersaflexibleandwelcomingspaceforyoungpeopletoworkinordertoincreasesocialconnectedness,self-esteem,foundationandemployabilityskillsandre-engagepositivelyinthelearningprocess.Youngpeoplecanchoosewhethertoengageinashortcourse,oneononementoring,dropintotheopenaccessstudiostoworkonindividualorcollaborativeprojectsoracombinationofthesebasedonreadiness.

AfricanAustralianInclusionProgram

TheAfricanAustralianInclusionProgram(AAIP)isapartnershipbetweenJesuitSocial ServicesandtheNationalAustraliaBankthatprovidespaidworkexperienceplacementsforpeoplefromAfricancommunities.TheAAIPisadynamicandhighlyprofessionalprogramforqualifiedAfrican-Australiansproviding6monthspaidworkingexperienceatNationalAustraliaBank(NAB).

TheneedfortheprogramwasidentifiedbytheAfrican-AustraliancommunitywhonotedthatlackoflocalexperienceintheAustralianbusinesssectorwasasignificantbarriertoemploymentforqualifiedAfrican-Australians.TheAAIPhasbeenrecognisedwithanumberofawards.

CommunityFuturesprogram

CommunityFuturesprogramatJesuitCommunityCollegeprovidesopportunitiesforrecentarrivalstoengagewiththeirlocalcommunityasvolunteersanddevelopskillsthatcanlead tofurtherstudyoremploymentinthecommunitysector.DeliveringCertificateIinActiveVolunteeringwithanESLfocus,JesuitCommunityCollegefocusesonimprovinglearners’language,literacyandcommunicationskillsthroughvolunteering,topromoteinclusion,buildtheirpersonalconfidence,highlightthevaluetheycanaddtotheircommunityandenhancetheircapacitytointeractandengagewithabroadrangeofpeopleinthecommunity.Emphasisisplacedonprovidinginnovative,flexibleandsupportedtrainingtomeet individuallearnerneedsandpreparinglearnersformorefulfillinginvolvementintheircommunityand/orfurtherstudy

CommunityWorkPrograms

JesuitSocialServicesthroughJesuitCommunityCollegehasdevelopedandisdeliveringanincreasingnumberofvocationalpathwayprogramsforpeopleonCommunityServiceOrders,aswellaspeopleexitingdetentionfromtheDamePhyllisFrostCentre(DPFC)andtheJudyLazarusTransitionCentre(JLTC).

TheseinitiativeshavebeenrecognisedasdeliveringsignificantbenefitsbothtotheDepartmentofJusticeandRegulationandtheindividualparticipants.AnumberoftheprogramswhichhavebeendevelopedforpeopleonCommunityServiceOrdersoverthepastthreeandahalfyearshavealsobeenrecognisedasexemplaryprojectsthroughtheDepartment’sCommunityWorkAwards.

JesuitCommunityCollege

JesuitCommunityCollegeisaRegisteredTrainingOrganisationandLearnLocalorganisation.Weassistpeoplefacingsignificantbarrierstolearning,providingrealskillsforlife,learningandwork.TheCollegealsoprovidesopportunitiesforpersonaldevelopment,asolidfoundation forfurthereducationandtrainingandconnectiontoacommunityoflearning.

Forabroadergroupoflearners,weofferawiderrangeofaccreditedandnon-accreditedvocationaleducationandtrainingandpathwaystofurtherstudyandwork.TheCollegealsobrokersopportunitiesforlearnerstoaccesstrainingofferedbyothertrainingorganisationsinwaysthatsuittheirneedsandcircumstances

Weoffernationallyrecognisedqualificationsingeneraleducationforadults,shortcoursesinvisualartsandpre-vocationalprograms.JesuitCommunityCollegeisfundedbytheVictorianandFederalGovernmentforeligiblestudentenrolmentsinpreaccreditedandaccreditedtraining.PeoplewithadisabilityareencouragedtoapplyundertheVictorianTrainingGuaranteeandLearnLocalACFEprograms.

Socialenterprises-IgniteCafés

OurIgniteCafeslocatedinHawthornandCamberwellare'livingclassrooms'wherepeoplegainon-the-job,realworkexperiencesandcertifiedtraining.Throughourcafesparticipantscangainexperienceinbothback-of-houseandfront-of-househospitalityserviceswhilecompletingaccreditedcoursesthroughJesuitCommunityCollege.

TheOutdoorExperience

Offeringanalternativetreatmentservicethrougharangeofoutdoorinterventionprogramsforyoungpeopleaged15–25years,whohaveorhavehadproblemswithalcoholand/orotherdrugs.Since1985,TheOutdoorExperience(TOE)hasbeenofferingarangeofOutdoorAdventureInterventionprogramsforyoungpeopleaged15-25years.

Duringtheprogram,participantssetpersonalgoalsfortheprogram;learnteamwork;gainanunderstandingofmanyaspectsof"safety";takeupthechallengesofoutdooradventure;acquirelivingskills;enjoyasenseofhealthandwellbeing;andareencouragedtotakecontrolandmakedecisionsabouttheprogramming.YoungpeoplearesupportedtodealwithandreflectuponthedifficultlifecircumstancesthatmayhavebroughtthemtoTOE.Theseprogramsassistyoungpeopletorecognisetheirownstrengthsandtomakechangesthatarevaluableineverydaylife.

L2P

TheL2PprogrammanagedbyJesuitSocialServices,BrosnanYouthServiceswascreatedforyoungpeopleinvolvedwithSouthernMelbourneMetropolitanRegionYouthJusticeandChildProtectionprograms.JesuitSocialServices,BrosnanYouthServiceshasfundingfromVicRoadsthroughDepartmentofHumanServicestosupport25youngpeopletoaccesssuperviseddrivingpracticetoassistthemtocompletetherequired120hoursofdrivingpracticepriortotakingtheirProbationaryLicensetest.DepartmentofHumanServiceshasfundedthepurchaseofthe5starANCAPratedvehicletobeusedforthisinitiative.ThevehicleishousedattheCityofGreaterDandenong.

ThevolunteerdriversarecoveredforliabilitythroughJesuitSocialServicesbybecomingregisteredvolunteerswiththeorganisation.Volunteersaretoundergoaselectionprocessincludinganinterview,aPoliceCheck,WorkingwithChildrenCheck,VicRoadsDriverHistoryReportandreferencecheckstoassesstheirsuitabilitytobeinavehiclewithyounglearnerdrivers.VolunteerdriversaretoundertaketrainingdesignedbyVicRoadstoassistthemwiththemanagementofthelearnerdriverandtogivethemabetterunderstandingoftheaimsoftheprogramandrequirementsofasupervisingdriverontheroad.SeparatetrainingisrunbyJesuitSocialServices,BrosnanYouthServicesandcovershowtoworkwithhighriskyoungpeople,howtoengagethemandhowtoputboundariesinplace.

MentalHealthandWellbeing

Connexions

ConnexionswasestablishedinJanuary1995asaresponsetoyoungpeopleexperiencingco-existingmentalhealthanddrugandalcoholissues.Connexionsisacounsellingprogramsforyoungpeoplewitha"dualdiagnosis"ofmentalillnessandsubstancemisuse.Diagnosiscanbeformalorselfreported.

SupportAfterSuicide

FormedinJuly2004,SupportAfterSuicideisaprogramdevelopedspecificallyforpeoplebereavedbysuicide.Theprogramprovidessupporttoindividuals,familiesandchildrenwhoarebereavedbysuicideandhasalsodevelopedarangeofresourcesandmaterialstoassistthosewhoarebereaved.Theprogramalsoprovideseducationandtrainingtohealth,welfareandeducationprofessionalsabouthowtoeffectivelyandsensitivelysupport

thosewhoarebereaved.

Settlementand community building

SettlementServices

JesuitSocialServiceshasprovidedsettlementservicestoasylumseekercommunitiesontheFlemingtonpublichousingestateforovertenyearsandinStAlbanssince2010.ServicesfocusonsupportingpeoplefrommigrantbackgroundstointegrateintoAustraliansocietywhilekeepingintouchwiththeirculturalbackgrounds.

Theprogramfollowsastrengths-basedapproach,acknowledgingandbuildingonparticipantandcommunityskillsandknowledge.Theprogramconductsanumberofactivitieswithinacommunitydevelopmentframeworkincluding:

  • caseworkandreferralstohelpstrengthenparticipant'sabilityandconfidencetoaccesssupportservicesanddevelopindependence
  • informationsessionsdesignedtoprovideincreasedknowledgeandunderstandingofissuesfacingparticipants
  • basicskillstrainingandworkexperienceopportunitiestovolunteersaspartofavolunteersprogram
  • communityadvocacytostrengthenrelationshipsbetweenpolice,leadersinthecommunityandcommunitymembers,and
  • HomeworkClubontheFlemingtonhousingestateforprimaryandsecondaryschoolstudents.