Our thinking Archives - Page 29 of 31 - Jesuit Social Services

Breaking down barriers to employment
- 20 September 2016
Immigrant communities often face the issue of not being able to obtain employment in their field or at a level commensurate with their experience and qualifications. There are systemic barriers to entry which mean that many people within these communities work in roles where they are significantly under-employed or unable to gain meaningful employment. The…
Why justice reinvestment works
- 19 September 2016
Two months ago, the Northern Territory’s youth justice system was placed in the national spotlight with ABC TV’s Four Corners’ revelations of abuse and brutalization carried out towards vulnerable young people. The program led to the establishment of the Royal Commission into the Child Protection and Youth Detention Systems of the Northern Territory, and posed…
Strategies to address youth offending must address the drivers
- 15 September 2016
This week, Jesuit Social Services is presenting at the 2nd Australasian Youth Justice Conference, which is hosted in partnership by the Australasian Juvenile Justice Administrators (AJJA) and Griffith University. Jesuit Social Services is pleased to have this opportunity to meet with key stakeholders, researchers and policymakers to discuss issues of youth justice, and in particular…
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…
Homelessness is a scandal and must not be allowed to continue
- 1 August 2016
National homelessness week is always an embarrassment. And rightly so. We pride ourselves that we are a respectful society, but there is no greater sign of disrespect than to allow people to be homeless. Nothing eats into our self-respect more than to wonder where we and our family will sleep tonight. Too many Australians are…
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.…

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