New look ACWA website We are pleased to announce that our new and improved website is now live. The look and functionality of the site has been upgraded for the benefit of users. Navigation on our previous site has been an issue for us so a big focus for us in developing the new site has been to ensure that it is easier for new visitors to find what they are looking for. This has been a big project for us, particularly with the restrictions of last year and there are some sections of the site which require finishing touches. Please bear with us as we make these updates and let us know if you find a glitch. For members, the new website makes managing your membership even easier. You can now check your membership renewal date, update your personal details, log your CPD and upgrade your membership all via the member portal. We have also more than doubled the size of our resource library! Please note as part of the transition process we have had to reset passwords for all members. Use your member number as your password to log in (you can find this on your member card). Explore the new site via https://www.acwa.org.au/. We hope you like it as much as we do.  | | Bite sized news The final report of a review of the National Regulatory System for Community Housing and potential reforms has been published. The Select Committee on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention has released its interim report on Australia's mental health system. Australia's Race Discrimination Commissioner Chin Tan has announced a plan to establish a National Anti-Racism Framework with the help of the community sector. New laws in the ACT make it a criminal offence to abuse or neglect a vulnerable person and an offence for a person in authority to fail to protect a vulnerable person in their care. Queensland has a new fee waiver policy for people who need a copy of their QLD birth certificate but are experiencing financial hardship. The NT's newly restructured Territory Families, Housing and Communities has released its first strategic plan. | | | Federal budget The federal budget will be released on Tuesday 11 May 2021 and will no doubt have a significant impact on Australia's community services. ACOSS (of which ACWA is now a member) is holding a virtual post budget event the following Tuesday to provide sector briefings on key budget measures and their likely impacts on people experiencing poverty and inequality. The event will be 18 May 2021 and confirmed guests include Dr Jim Chalmers MP, Shadow Treasurer. Register now | | | Spotlight on... Loss and grief in late life Grief is a normal part of life, however, in later life, it is often experienced more frequently. Because of this, it can be difficult to recognise and differentiate grief from other life factors and adjustments. Wise Care Pty Ltd is now offering an ACWA endorsed 2 hour online workshop that teaches participants the impact of grief in late life; how to differentiate grief from other conditions; and practical strategies to help older adults affected by grief and loss. Learn more and register | | | Practice resources Disability Housing Outcomes Framework The Disability Housing Outcomes Framework was developed by SVA Consulting under the guidance of a steering committee of SDA and SIL providers, and in partnership with key stakeholders including people with disability. The Framework aims to revolutionise the way providers of housing and in-home supports understand and benchmark their performance and create impact for people with disability. Access the Framework
Inclusive group identity labels
This new guide presents up-to-date research on good practice use of group identity labels. The guide makes it easier for organisations and practitioners to find inclusive terminology to represent people of diverse sexualities, genders, bodies, and relationships. It includes examples of Australian organisations and the terms they use. Read the guide Helping parents find the right support This practice guide is designed to help community workers have conversations with parents regarding the sources of their parenting support. The guide breaks down the different types of supports parents may need (information, practical or emotional support) and how to steer parents to think critically about the quality of the support they find. Read the guide New tenancy law resources (VIC) Victoria has new residential tenancy laws that came into effect on 29 March 2021. A summary of the reforms can be found on the Consumers Affairs website. Tenants Victoria also has a run down for renters and will be making further updates to its website to reflect the changes. For tenants who are experiencing financial hardship, Dear Landlord has information to help people navigate the new laws, including the new eviction process. Visit Consumer Affairs Visit Tenants Victoria Access Dear Landlord Easy English family violence booklet A new Easy English resource of 'How to feel safe at home if there is family violence' is now available for victim survivors with disability or low English literacy. This resource breaks down the signs of family violence, ways to stay safe, and where to go for help and support. Access the booklet | | | Research corner After the Disaster: Recovery for Australia's Children Source: UNICEF Australia and Royal Far West This report describes the challenges that many children and young people face when they live in areas affected by disasters. It includes case studies of service delivery and lessons learnt. Read the report Marketisation of social care - What have been the empirical effects? Source: Uniting This paper presents the findings of a review of literature on the impacts of establishing quasi-markets in social care, including outcomes for social care workers. Read the report Telcos and Financial Hardship: Feedback from the Frontline Source: Financial Counselling Australia This report is based on a survey of financial counsellors about the hardship practices of telecommunications companies. Read the report Voice of Parents sector survey report Source: Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare This report presents the findings of a survey of child and family service workers and their experiences of engaging birth parents. Read the report Parent Peer Support Project Final Report Source: Family Inclusion Strategies in the Hunter Inc., Life Without Barriers, the Newcastle Law School This report describes the development and implementation of the Parent Peer Support Project (PPSP) in Newcastle during 2019 and 2020. Read the report | | | Calls to action Articles: Ethical issues in community development The Community Development Journal has issued a call for articles for a special edition focused on the ethical dimensions of community development practice. Submit an article
Consultation: Reducing family, domestic and sexual violence
The Federal Government is developing the next National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children and is seeking the input of individuals and organisations. Get involved Consultation: Promoting inclusion The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability is seeking feedback from individuals on the topic of promoting inclusion in society. Get involved | | | National conferences 2021 Suicide Prevention Summit Live: 14-16 May 2021 On-demand: 17 May - 20 June 2021 This Summit will equip mental health professionals with the most up-to-date, advanced knowledge and treatment options for suicide prevention. The Summit is online and registration is free. Learn more and register Child Inclusive Practice Forum 2021 7 June 2021, Online The 2021 Child Inclusive Practice (CIP) Forum gives us the chance to think how children's lives intersect with decision making situations, when families can be quite lost and to hear children's decisions when their voice can be lost. Learn more and register | | | Job opp for graduates & final year students The 2021 Child Protection VAC program is a structured 450 full time (or part time equivalent working a minimum of 3 days per week) employment program run by the Victorian Department of Families, Fairness and Housing. The program will provide recent graduates or final year students studying a social work, psychology or welfare degree or diploma, with a breadth of quality learning experiences and tasks relevant to the Victorian child protection program. As a case practice support worker, participants of the program will be welcomed into a supportive and hard-working team who share a common goal. They will rotate across three areas of the child protection branch to gain a holistic understanding of how the department strives to protect Victoria's most vulnerable children. As a fixed term employee of the department, participants will receive full entitlements including being paid a pro-rata salary of $56,136 per annum, plus superannuation. Download the flyer | | | | |
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