Despite strong support for carers in NSW as part of the action plan, the release of the Who
Cares…? Report from the Inquiry into better support for carers in April 2009 highlighted that
there is still much more that can be done to ensure carers receive the services and support
that they need. Carers NSW believes that the NSW Government is well placed to take the lead on a number of key initiatives that are being discussed at a national level, given the NSW experience of developing and implementing the NSW Carers Action Plan 2007-2012. Read the Carers NSW Budget Submission.
Compulsive hoarding - strategies for treatment
Pervasive hoarding disrupts the hoarder's life as well as those around them. This one day workshop for mental health professionals examines for the first time this under-recognised condition.
When: Friday 7 May 2010
Where: The Vibe Hotel, Milson's Point
Details: flyer
Promotions of Home and Community Services to CALD services
This course for management and front line staff aims to enhance participants' capacity to plan and deliver effective services to CALD communities. Places in the course are still available.
When: Thursday 13 May 2010
Where: Northside Community Forum, St Leonards
Details: Contact the HACC Development Officer by email or phone (02) 8405 4444. The registration form is also available online.
Governance and accountability models to support Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) communities
Better health outcomes result when ATSI communities are self-determining. The Australian Government provides most of the funding for these organisations and, to remain accountable, these organisations carry complex reporting obligations. This conference examines governance and accountability models.
When: Tuesday 25 - Wednesday 26 May 2010
Where: Citigate Central, Sydney
Details: website
Indigenous recruitment and training summit
After the 2008 National Apology, closing the employment gap on Aboriginal disadvantage has been renewed by Aboriginal leaders, governments, business and educators. This summit aims to continue the momentum.
When: Monday 28 - Tuesday 29 June 2010
Where: Duxton Hotel, Perth
Details: website
5th International Carers Conference - New frontiers in caring: 2010 and beyond
How we manage the task of caring in a changing and ageing world is one of the world's greatest challenges.
When: Thursday 8 - Sunday 11 July 2010
Where: Royal Armouries, Leeds UK
Details: website
Winds of change. New perspectives on rural and remote mental health
Policy, interventions, recovery and relapse will be the main focus of this conference organised by Australian and New Zealand Mental Health Association.
When: Wednesday 29 - Thursday 30 September 2010
Where: Novotel Sydney, Brighton Beach
Details: website
Building bridges for people, policy and practice
The focus of the Australian National Association of Gerontology's 43rd conference will be to build bridges between the disconnections that occur through the individual ageing process and for older people as a group within the community.
When: Wednesday 17 - Friday 19 November 2010
Where: Hotel Grand Chancellor, Hobart
Details: website
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A snapshot of men's health
Men in rural areas are more likely than urban-dwelling men to
experience poor health and exposure to risk. Smoking, drinking and injury are all more prevalent in regional Australia, according to a new Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report. Read the report.
Free tapes for carers 
A collection of music and stories on audiocassette has been donated to Carers NSW and is being offered free to carers. Up to three items can be claimed and will be posted out to carers. Email us. Please provide alternative selections in case your choices are no longer available. If carers would prefer to write to claim audiocassettes, address the request to Tom Fink Library, Carers NSW, PO Box 20156, World Square NSW 2002. See what is available by clicking on these lists - either music or story.
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Australian Government to take over aged care
The Australian Government, as part of the health reform agenda, has committed to take full policy and funding responsibility for aged care. These reforms include the transfer of the Home and Community Care (HACC) program to the Australian Government, except in Victoria and Western Australia. In aged care, these reforms will support the develpment of a nationally consistent aged care system, covering basic home care through to nursing homes. No disruption to the service is anticipated for current recipients of these services, including younger people with disabilities.
This agreement was made after extensive community calls for the inclusion of aged care in health and hospital reform. Read the Council of Australian Governments' communiqué (page 4). Not every aged care advocacy group has welcomed these changes. Read the views of the Campaign for Care of Older Australians.
Productivity Commission inquiry into aged care
The Australian Government has asked the Productivity Commission (PC) to advise on the restructuring of the aged care system in Australia. This announcement has been universally welcomed. Carers Australia, however, has noted the absence of carers in the terms of reference as a stark oversight. Read the media release. Read the PC project outline - Caring for older Australians. The Commission's report is due April 2011.
United Nation's paper on caregiving
Governments must be aware of the reality for families and their needs when crafting caregiving policies, while individuals must also be aware of the programs and services available to them. The provision of care for older people at macro (national) and micro (individual or family) levels are not mutually exclusive. This is the message from a paper published by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. Read In the care of the state and the family. Understanding care of the elderly through macro and micro perspectives.
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Review of the Aged Care Complaints Investigation Scheme (CIS)
The Aged Care CIS has been operational for two years. To effect a speedier response to complaints, the Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, requested a review of the Scheme which is now complete. The review investigated a number of issues, including communication between consumers and providers and the expansion of a range of options for managing complaints. Read the report. The review has been made public after calls from aged care advocates to improve the standards of practice in aged care facilities. Read the media release from the Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association and another from the Dietitians Association of Australia.
Aged care for gay people
In the wake of a report by Alzheimer's Australia about dementia care in the gay community (read Carers NSW summary of report), there has been interest is making aged care facilities more aware of the concerns of older gay couples. Read the Sydney Morning Herald article by Jessica Mahar - 'Back to the closet '.
Abuse of older people in community care
Research about the abuse of older people has just been released by the Benevolent Society and gives pointers to what community care workers and agencies can do to recognise, prevent and respond to abuse. Entitled Community Aged Care Research to Practice Briefing 3: Recognising, preventing and responding to abuse of older people living in the community: A resource for community care workers, it is the third in the series which focuses on topical issues in community aged care and was prepared by Assoc Prof Elizabeth Ozanne (University of Melbourne). Read the research.
Respect in an ageing society
A recently released research paper examining the issue of respect for older Australians begins with the comment 'Little is known about respect for older people, with only five studies identified within the literature. No studies have investigated respect for older people within the Australian population.' This study does just that. Read the report.
New Carer Representation workshops in 2010
Carers NSW is running another round of two day workshops for carers interested in joining the Carer Representation Program. Workshops will be held in Sydney and in regional NSW.
The Carer Representation Program provides carers from across NSW with opportunities to participate in activities such as guest speaking, media interviews, and representation on committees and roundtables. The aim is to inform a range of professionals and general members of the community of carers’ perspectives.
Carers who are interested in the program will need to complete an expression of interest. No prior experience
is needed as Carers NSW will provide carers with training
and support, although a passion for getting carers'
perspectives heard is a must.
For more information please contact Alison Parkinson on
02 9280 4744 or email. Organisations interested in including carer representation on their committee or in focus groups should also contact Alison.
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Carer representative fundraiser
A carer representative from Carers NSW, Cathy Mowczan, will be participating in a fundraiser on Sunday 2 May to help raise money for Northcott Disability Services. Visit the website.
Employment in health and social assistance
An analysis of workforce statistics during the recent economic downturn confirms that the 'health and social assistance' sector of the labour market is strengthening. While the retail sector has been particularly hard hit by recent economic events, employment in the caring sector shows sustained growth over the last 20 year period. The number of people employed in this sector increased by 115,200 (or around 10%) in recent times, perhaps reflecting increased demand for such services during downturns. This is just as well, as the need for informal carers continues to grow. Read the employment analysis from Australian Social Trends, March 2010 and commentary on the subject in the Sydney Morning Herald.
Welfare recipients choose work to their detriment
Is it better to take a casual job and jeopardise reliable welfare support? Or should a sole parent choose the stable course for her family and turn down a job in a casualised labour market? These are the questions that welfare receipients constantly face, according to an investigation by the Brotherhood of St Laurence. Making work pay and making income support work
finds that the welfare system has been overtaken by globalisation and a restructured workforce. The existing financial safety net was established during a period when full-time employment was the norm and the choice for welfare recipients was between a good job or unemployment. The report is meant to inform the Australian Government’s Taxation Review, to be released on Sunday 2 May. Review the findings after this date on the Australian Government Treasury website. Also see the media release.
The Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) is also calling for a simplification of the system of financial support to pension and income support recipients. Read the media release.
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Annual lump sum payments for carers
From 1 July 2010, recipients of certain Centrelink payments, including Carer Allowance and Carer Payment, will receive a carer supplement as a lump sum. Read more in Centrelink's News for carers, page 2. Pensioners and other income support Centrelink clients have also received an increase in pension rates from March 2010 to $701.10 a fortnight for singles and $1057 a fortnight for couples combined.
Deeming rates agreed by big banks
The big four banks have advised that they will match Centrelink's deeming rates on pensioner accounts. This means that, for tax purposes, Centrelink's deeming rates will agree with the interest actually charged on pensioner accounts. The Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association welcomes this announcement. Read the media release.
Energy rebate scheme
From 1 July 2010, one in three NSW residents may be eligible for a rebate on their energy bill. The NSW Government will give financial assistance to certain consumers. Interested people are encouraged to contact their energy supplier to see if they are eligible for a rebate. Energy suppliers are also required to offer a minimum of two payment plans within a 12 month period to consumers who are experiencing financial hardship. No one on life support can ever be disconnected from energy supply. Read more. The NSW Opposition believes, however, that energy price increases will outstrip the rebates offered to low-income earners, leaving them out of pocket. Read the media release for the figures.
Home phone the most important service
A survey has found that low income earners consider their home phone to be their most valuable home service. The phone helps people stay in touch and look for work, the survey found. The research was undertaken during an assessment of the Telstra Access for Everyone program. Read more.
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Carers
and legal issues
Cinema captioning for hard of hearing
The Human Rights Commission has refused to grant an exemption to cinema owners from their obligation to provide non-discriminatory access to cinemas under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. Read about it.
Taxi driver fined for refusing to carry a guide dog
One in three people who use a guide dog have been refused entry by a taxi driver in the last 12 months a recent study has found. This may change after a taxi driver was fined in NSW for refusing a guide dog entry to his public transport vehicle. Read about the case in the Sydney Morning Herald.
Secret ballot for the blind
The Australian Government has provided legal support for the Electoral Commissioner to begin investigating means of providing visually impaired voters with a secret ballot. Currently, blind and low-vision electors are assisted in the voting process by others at the polling booth. The process, therefore, is not secret. The most feasible means of providing a secret ballot appears to be through a secure internet connection, one of the options being examined. At the upcoming Federal election due this year, blind and vision impaired voters will have the opportunity to be connected to a trained call centre operator who will record the elector's vote, providing, at least, an anonymous ballot. Changes to the Electoral Act will allow new means of voting to be trialled. These changes have been welcomed by the Australian Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Graeme Innes, who looks forward to casting a secret ballot after the investigation is complete. Read the media release.
The NSW Government has also taken up the issue. Read the NSW Parliament's discussion on the topic.
Guide to wills and estates
A book about wills and estates is now available in its entirety on the law website findLEGALanswers. Guide to wills and estates, by Rosemary Long, covers all aspects of the subject including, the creation of wills and revoking them, challenging a will, probate, intestacy and legal fees.
Simplified anti-discrimination law
The Australian Government has announced its intention to streamline anti-discrimination law. Currently, all Commonwealth anti-discrimination law is spread across four pieces of legislation. One comprehensive legal document will result. Read more.
Community legal education
Legal Aid NSW has scheduled workshops for community sector workers. Download the workshop brochure for February-July 2010.
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Productivity Commission (PC) receives unprecedented number of submissions
The Australian Government has asked the Productivity Commission to undertake a public inquiry into a long-term disability care and support scheme. The objectives include considering a no-fault social insurance approach to disability in Australia. See information in the December e-bulletin for some background. After the Inquiry began this month, the PC received twice as many submissions about disability reform than it has received for any other PC project. Read some of the submissions.
A national campaign to support a National Disability Insurance Scheme has taken off under the banner Mad as Hell. Proponents of the campaign pledge to support any political party that promises to implement the recommendations of the PC Inquiry after it is delivered to Government in July 2011. Read newspaper discussion in the The Australian and the Sydney Morning Herald.
For comments on the scheme by Bill Shorten, Australian Government Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities, read this transcript. The Inquiry forms part of the Australian Government's ten year National Disability Strategy developed with State and Terriroty Governments in consultation with the National People with Disabilities and Carer Council.
Special schools
The fight to save special schools for children with disabilities is growing with parents from non-government special schools calling for equitable funding. Read some background. Kingsdene is threatened with closure and parents at the school insist that more schools like Kingsdene, not less, are required. Read the media release and interviews with parents in a recent Marie-Claire article.
Child protection law extended
Adults who provide personal care or mentoring programs for disabled children will require Working With Children Checks, as will adults who live with foster carers and family day care providers. These extended laws took effect from 31 March. Read the media release from the NSW Minister for Youth, Peter Primrose.
Disability and child sexual abuse
This book, intended for professionals, deals with the
issue of sexual abuse of children who are receiving care and support for a disability. Seven people's first hand experiences illustrate the patterns of abuse. Entitled Disability and child sexual abuse. Lessons from survivors' narratives for effective protection, prevention and treatment, authors Martina Higgins and John Swain examine who abuses and why and how protection can be maintained.
Dementia driving test
As dementia becomes more prevalent, John Watkins, CEO Alzheimer's Australia NSW, believes that a specific driving test for people living with the condition may need to be devised. Many patients did not know they have a legal duty to report their diagnosis to the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority. They may pass driving tests under controlled conditions but become a danger to themselves and others later in normal traffic conditions. Read some discussion in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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Grants for people with disability to attend conferences
The National Disability Conference Funding Program allows conference organisers up to $10,000 for the attendance of people with disabilities ($20,000 for international conferences). People with disabilities, their families and carers are encouraged to attend a wide variety of conferences to raise awareness in the community about disability issues. Read the media release.
New disability standards for access to premises
New national standards for building accessibility have been introduced by the Australian Government. The standards cover features such as lifts, stairs, ramps, toilets and corridors in offices, shops, hotels and new apartment buildings. For more, visit the website.
Adult children who have a parent with cancer
People over 18 with a parent with cancer are invited to participate in a survey to help understand what the experience is like and to ultimately improve services. Visit this website to complete the survey online.
Caitlin's wish
Caitlin's wish is a story book written for children who have a family member with a disability or chronic condition. The author, Victoria Taylor, wrote the book for her daughter after her husband was diagnosed with a rare neurological disorder - intercranial hypertension. Find out more.
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NSW Health CALD carer framework
This document outlines the commitment of the NSW Government to CALD carers. Prepared by the Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association (MDAA) of NSW, the framework reminds readers that on the basis of recent figures, there are between 142,116 and 169,260 carers from CALD backgrounds in NSW. Many do not readily identify as carers and constitute a significant proportion of the hidden carer population. Read an MDAA summary of CALD carer framework. Strategies to meet the needs of carers. Go to the 'State News' section.
CALD Sibling Support Network
The Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association is also running a project to support siblings aged between 12 and 17 years with brothers or sisters with a disability from CALD backgrounds. Find out more.
Non English speaking background with a disability in Australia
More than a million people in Australia with disability are from non English speaking backgrounds
according to a report published by the National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA). The information is gleaned from Australian Bureau of Statistics figures and includes evidence that this population group has up to three times the incidence of disability than English speaking Australian-born people. Read the report, published March 2010 .
Cultural dictionary
Cultural details of different language groups in Australian can be found online in convenient summary form in a document entitled The Cultural dictionary of people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. The dictionary covers 80 countries, from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe. The dictionary is easy to read and may provide a valuable resource for community service workers. A typical excerpt under Bosnia and Herzegovina - 'Bosnians are regarded as friendly, warm and outgoing. They enjoy merak (a relaxed pace of life). Each major group emphasises different traits. For example, Bosnian Serbs consider themselves proud and heroic, Bosnia Croats emphasise their courteous behaviour, and Bosniacs consider themselves as having warm personal relationships. Ceif means to act spontaneously for enjoyment.'
The dictionary is published by the Migrant Resource Centre Canberra and gives figures specific to the ACT.
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Promotion of Home and Community Services to CALD services
This course for management and front line staff aims to enhance participants' capacity to plan and deliver effective services to CALD communities. See the 'Conference and events' section of this e-bulletin for details.
Korean carers educational event - cruise around Sydney Harbour
All Korean carers and their partners are invited on a free cruise on Sydney Harbour sponsored by a Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre. The cruise takes place on Tuesday 4 May. See this flyer for details in Korean or here for English language details. For further information, contact Joanne McLean, Networking and Outreach Coordinator (Mon-Wed and Fri) on (free call) 1800 052 222 or 02 9641 7081.
National health reform in NSW
The Australian state governments, before the signing of the National health and hospitals agreement, were faced with unsustainable increases in health spending. As a result of the agreement, the Australian Government has now committed to funding the growth in health costs, an aspect of the agreement which has met universal approval. Restructuring and refinancing will attempt to make the health system in Australia more sustainable in the wake of the intergenerational report 2010 which identified unsustainable health costs over the next 30 years.
The implications of the national health reform agreement for NSW are summarised by the NSW Premier, Kristina Keneally, in a press conference after it was signed at the Council of Australian Governments' meeting this month. Read the comments by all the Premiers and Chief Ministers.
For some background on health reform in NSW, see the NSW Parliamentary Library Briefing Paper Health reform.
Oral health
One health issue receiving little attention in the recent discussions on health reform has been oral health. The NSW Oral Health Alliance released a report to NSW Parliament a year ago that found the three most significant barriers to maintaining adequate oral health for low income and disadvantaged groups were waiting times, cost and difficulty accessing dental services. Read the NSW Oral Health Alliance media release.
According to an online report published this month, oral health accounted for $5.3 billion, or over ten per cent, of allocated national recurrent health expenditure during 2004-05. Read the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare's report Health system expenditure on disease and injury in Australia 2004–05.
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Primary health care and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) Australians
For a history and evidence-based analysis of what measures work to improve the health of ATSI people, visit this webpage. It answers the questions - Do health care services matter? And what needs to be done?
A guide to reporting abuse and neglect – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
The National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline was established in 2001 to receive allegations of abuse and neglect that occur to people with disability across Australia. Very few calls are received from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) people. A new brochure aims to give ATSI people information about the hotline so that they are encouraged to call if need be. Read A guide to reporting abuse and neglect - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
New child transport safety laws - Aboriginal community services in Sydney
New laws now operating in NSW require children under seven to be in a child restraint while in a vehicle. To help with the cost this imposes on Aboriginal community transport services, the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority has made grants available to help community groups comply with these laws. While the date for applications expired on 27 April, further information about the new laws can be obtained from Deborah Taggart on 02 8849 2435 or email.
Mandatory income support quarantining in the Northern Territory
New laws will come into effect in July allowing the Australian Government to hold onto welfare payments if recipients don't comply with certain laws like ensuring their children attend school. Called 'income quarantining' or 'income management', these measures have been controversial for a number of reasons including that they punish welfare recipients as a class, according to Alistair Nicholson, former Chief Justice of the Family Court. Read the response by Jenny Macklin, Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.
National Reconciliation Week 27 May - 3 June 2010
This year is the tenth anniversay of the bridge walk, when people walked in their thousands across Sydney Harbour Bridge in support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. National Reconciliation Week 2010 will celebrate progress made since then. Find out more.
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National health reform and mental health
Mental health advocates believe that the proposed funding for mental health services by the National health and hospitals agreement is inadequate for two reasons - not enough funds for mental health services and a focus on hospitals rather than community solutions. More supported accommodation, rehabilitation recovery programs and clinical services are needed according to the executive director of SANE Australia, Barbara Hocking. She believes that mental health proposals were added to the agreement at the last minute as a bargaining chip rather than part of the structure of reform. These comments are supported by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. Read her comments in The Australian.
Coronial inquiry stresses the importance of communication with carers
Recent findings of a coronial inquiry into the suicide of a Newcastle man has underscored the importance of keeping carers informed. The man died after being released from hospital without the knowledge of his family. Soon after, he took his own life. The law at the time did not require hospital staff to communicate discharge details to carers. Read about the case in this Sydney Morning Herald article.
The Mental Health Act 2007 came into existence soon after. This new Act has major
implications for carers. There are several sections in the Act that relate to carers or primary carers of a person with a mental illness or mental disorder. These include their right to be kept informed, notice to the primary carer about initial detention, and their notification of events effecting patients or detained people, as well as the provision to nominate a primary carer. Read more on the Act.
In turn, changes to mental health laws have again taken place in 2010 affecting the detention of mental health patients. Read a response from the NSW Greens MP, Lee Rhiannon, to the changes.
Improved access to mental health care
Changes to the Medical Benefils Scheme (MBS) in 2006 provided a new framework for general practitioners (GPs) to begin early intervention and management of patients with mental health concerns. Under GP mental health care plans, treatments by clinical psychologists and allied mental health services became eligible for rebate under the MBS. A recent review of this program shows that access to mental health care has improved since its inception. Read the media release.
The Australian General Practice Network Chair, Dr Emil Djakic, believes that mental health treatment is best treated early and treated in the community, not in hospital. Read excerpts of his evidence to the Australian Government's Senate Community Affairs Committee's Inquiry into Suicide Prevention.
Registration for psychology services
The Australian Psychological Society has called for the high standards of the psychology profession to be maintained by mandating registration of all psychology services, including health and community psychology. Under the new National Registration and Accreditation Scheme, health and community psychology have been omitted, while other fields of psychology are now required to register. Registration is now incumbent on clinical psychology, counselling, forensic and clinical neuropsychology, organisational, sport and exercise psychology and educational and developmental psychology. Read the Australian Psychological Society's media release. ABC TV broadcast an episode on the issue of unqualified therapists on the Four Corners program on Monday 5 April. Read the transcript of Over the edge.
Depression in the workplace
Is depression seen as a weakness in some workplaces? Recent public discussion about the tragic death of a young newsreader, Charmaine Dragun, who lived with depression has put the issue of depression at work under the spotlight. The reluctance of those living with depression to disclose their condition to colleagues is often motivated by the pressure to appear always in charge of yourself and unfailingly good at your job.
Last year, a number of prominent law firms banded together to raise awareness of depression and anxiety in the legal profession. Read about the initiative. If you are experiencing depression and feel that you need help, call Lifeline on 131114 who have trained volunteer telephone counsellors 24-hours from anywhere in Australia.
Parents effective in treatment
Families are not necessarily the enemy of young people experiencing mental illness, depression and behaviour disturbances. This is the finding of a review of treatment trials. But few services in Australia seek to bring young people and their families together at this time of need. Read the Australian Institute of Family Studies discussion paper.
Law Reform Commission - People with cognitive and mental health impairments in the criminal justice system: an overview
Submissions are invited to review the treatment of people living with mental illness in the criminal justice context. The incidence of those disorders within the general, and prison, populations will be examined in relation to the human rights obligations to which Australia is subject. Submissions will be received up to Wednesday 30 June 2010. For more information visit the website.
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Positive aspects of caring
A University of Western Sydney research project has provided a thorough look into the positive experiences of people who have cared for a loved one with cancer. Professor Jane Ussher and a research team from the UWS School of Psychology have conducted a survey of 429 individuals who are caring for a person with cancer and have conducted interviews with 67 of the carers. The participants in the study were family members, husbands, wives and friends who provided care over various periods of time, from 3 months to 57 years. The UWS research project found:
- 30% of carers admired the strength of the person with cancer.
- 44% of women and 20% of men experienced a sense of personal growth and strength as a result of their caring.
- 40% of carers reported changed perspectives on living.
- 46% of women and 68% of men reported that their relationship with the person with cancer was enriched.
- 30% of carers reported increased sexual intimacy with their partner who had cancer.
The research continues. Read more.
Quality of informal care is multidimensional
Rehabilitation Psychology 2009, 45 (4): 173-181
This article aims to demonstrate that assessing the quality of informal care involves more that merely determining whether the care recipient's needs are routinely satisfied. Read the abstract.
Emerging issues in domestic and family violence research
This paper surveys data to date about the prevalence of violence within different population groups - rural and remote communities; gay,lesbian bisexual, transgender and intersex communities; the elderly and people with disability; culturally and linguistically diverse communities; Indigenous communities and the impact of violence on children. Read the paper.
A stronger, fairer Australia
A new report has identified young carers as children at particular risk of isolation and exclusion. The report notes that in 2003, it was estimated that more than 100,000 people aged 15 years and under were carers to someone in their household. These children rank, among others, as being most at risk of poor life outcomes. Other children whose prospects are diminished due to disadvantage are children who are homeless, at risk of family violence, in jobless families or who suffer disadvantage as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child or who have protection orders relating to them. Young carers, who are at risk of social exclusion because of their caring responsibilities are often not identified and offered support, the report says. Read this Australian Government report on social inclusion, p25.
Call for participants in young carers study
As the population ages and with an increased prevalence of chronic illness, an increased need for carers means pressure is felt by more young people to care for family members. If you are between 18 and 25, you are invited to join a study to answer questions online to help find out more about young carers. Go to the website.
Cyberbullying in schools
Cyberbullying is becoming a common problem in upper primary and secondary schools. Research shows that half the students who report cyberbullying to adults claim that the problem either gets worse or remains the same with teachers reporting a lack of training and support in dealing with the situation. Most children don't tell adults for fear of losing control of the cyberbullying, a researcher found. For more information, see this information brochure by the National Centre Against Bullying.
Youth Week 10-18 April
During Youth Week, Carers Australia drew attention to the contribution made by young carers to Australia's economy, often risking long-term disadvantage through missed opportunities, to care for their family member. Read the media release. The National Youth Strategy, published by the Australian Government, refers to young carers in regards to education and supporting young people within their families and early intervention and prevention. Read the document.
Youth Week also put a focus on the sexual health of young people through an online survey showing a need for information on contraception and the emotional aspects of sexual relationships as well as more legal certainty about the age of consent. Read The sex files.
