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'Outside systems control my life' the experience of single mothers on Welfare to Work / Women's Research, Advocacy and Policy Centre.

By: Contributor(s): Publication details: Abbotsford, Vic. : Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand, 2018.Description: 80 pages : illustrations ; 30 cmContent type:
  • text
  • still image
Media type:
  • unmediated
Carrier type:
  • volume
ISBN:
  • 9780994596901
Subject(s): DDC classification:
  • 362.713 23
Summary: The Australian Government's Welfare to Work policy aimed to increase employment among people otherwise dependent on social security payments, and is a form of conditional welfare founded on the principle of mutual obligation. This report explores the experiences of single mothers under this policy, particularly in assessing the policy's success with regard to its own objectives of increasing workforce participation, self-reliance, and financial security in this disadvantaged group. Interviews were conducted with 26 single mothers from across Australia, with regard also to the practical and administrative barriers to workforce participation and self-reliance, and their experiences of the Centrelink agency and Job Network providers. The findings indicate that this policy is not assisting these women, does not take into account their unpaid work, and is indeed increasing financial insecurity and inhibiting self-reliance. In light of these findings, the report makes recommendations for improving the policy and service provider processes. It proposes that the current compliance framework should be replaced with a client-centred framework that is realistic and flexible.
Holdings
Item type Current library Call number Status Date due Barcode
Book Book Jessie Street National Women's Library General Stacks Q 362.713 OUT (Browse shelf(Opens below)) Available for reference in the library 68052

"Authors: Juanita McLaren, Susan Maury and Sarah Squire"--P. 2.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 72-78)

The Australian Government's Welfare to Work policy aimed to increase employment among people otherwise dependent on social security payments, and is a form of conditional welfare founded on the principle of mutual obligation. This report explores the experiences of single mothers under this policy, particularly in assessing the policy's success with regard to its own objectives of increasing workforce participation, self-reliance, and financial security in this disadvantaged group. Interviews were conducted with 26 single mothers from across Australia, with regard also to the practical and administrative barriers to workforce participation and self-reliance, and their experiences of the Centrelink agency and Job Network providers. The findings indicate that this policy is not assisting these women, does not take into account their unpaid work, and is indeed increasing financial insecurity and inhibiting self-reliance. In light of these findings, the report makes recommendations for improving the policy and service provider processes. It proposes that the current compliance framework should be replaced with a client-centred framework that is realistic and flexible.

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