Our thinking Archives - Page 19 of 36 - Jesuit Social Services

Addressing insecure work must be accompanied by addressing disadvantage
- 8 September 2016
Last week, the Victorian Inquiry into Labour Hire and Insecure Work handed the Victorian Government its final report after receiving almost 700 submissions from individuals and organisations, including Jesuit Social Services. We look forward to the report being made public in due course and commend the Government’s focus on improving the safeguards and supports for…
Strengthening accountability and giving young people a voice
- 25 August 2016
For nearly 40 years, Jesuit Social Services has been working with young people, particularly those who are disadvantaged and disengaged. We know from research and experience that young people in detention are especially vulnerable and have complex support needs. As identified by the Youth Parole Board, 62 per cent of children and young people in…
Disadvantage must be considered as a central issue in response to disability
- 12 August 2016
Jesuit Social Services recently provided a submission to the discussion paper of the Victorian state disability plan for 2017-2020. The Victorian state disability plan is a government policy framework for improving the way services and environments work for people with disabilities. Our submission, highlighted the issues for people with cognitive disabilities in the criminal justice…
To address youth offending, we must look to the evidence of what works
- 25 July 2016
Last Thursday Jesuit Social Services joined Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton, community leaders and experts at a youth summit to discuss one the most important issues facing our state: the involvement of young people in serious and violent crime. Is it a positive step forward that the youth crime rate had been steadily dropping…
Youth skills help build a more just future for all
- 15 July 2016
With youth unemployment rising in Australia, it's harder than ever for young people to land their first job. SEZ WILKS argues for employment programs that teach not only technical skills, but life skills, too. On July 15th each year, Jesuit Social Services joins the international community in celebrating UN World Youth Skills Day. For the…
NAIDOC Week is about respect
- 4 July 2016
The National Aboriginal Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) grew out of the recognition that the celebration of Australia Day presented a one-sided image of Australia’s history. It focused narrowly on the disruption to existing culture and life in Australia through the arrival of the First Fleet at Sydney cove. It grew into a national public holiday.…
No 'one size fits all' solutions to youth unemployment
- 24 June 2016
In an election focused on 'jobs and growth' both major parties have addressed youth unemployment. But the proposals of neither party will meet adequately the needs of the most severely disadvantaged young jobseekers. They ignore the human reality. Youth unemployment is now at its highest peak since the late 1990s. The average number of young…
Calling for Just Justice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cognitive impairments
- 21 June 2016
In the Northern Territory, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with cognitive impairments are being indefinitely detained in prison despite not being charged. In 2014 the Australian Human Rights Commission found that the inability of both the Commonwealth and Northern Territory Governments to provide adequate accommodation and support services for four Indigenous men with disabilities…
New mental health funding model brings uncertainty and instability
- 10 June 2016
Yesterday (June 9), Professor Patrick McGorry from Orygen, the world-leading youth mental health program, ensured that mental health is given the focus it deserves during the federal election campaign with a powerful address to the National Press Club. Professor McGorry called for government spending on mental health to increase from 7 per cent to 13…
Helping Aboriginal children stay out of the justice system
- 3 June 2016
For many 13-year-olds, life revolves around school, hanging out with friends, spending time with family and extracurricular activities like sport or learning a musical instrument. But that wasn’t the case for Sarah*, aged 13, when she was first referred to Jesuit Social Services’ Barreng Moorop program. Barreng Moorop is a small intensive case management program…