Aged Care - An Industry Under Pressure
A string of reports from former and current aged care workers and families of aged care clients have shone a spotlight on an industry under pressure. Minister for Aged Care, Mr Ken Wyatt, has announced a new Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission and a Serious Incident Response Scheme watchdog to clean up Australian aged care services.
We look at how training for new employers and professional development can go beyond the technical skills required to work in the industry, to provide quality care to support the people we love as they age.
Bringing mental illness into the light – reducing stigma and discrimination
Despite Australia's efforts to raise awareness for mental health, encouraging people to both seek and offer help from family and friends, stigma and its associated discrimination is still a major hurdle to overcome when it comes to mental illness.
Mental Health Australia's "Do you see what I see?’ campaign challenges perceptions on mental illness and aims to reduce stigma by promoting a positive approach to tackling an issue that affects one in five Australians.
Helping kids to identify risks
Whenever you cross the street, walk down some steps or swim at the beach, you’re making constant assessments about the risks involved. We do this so often that we begin to forget that we’re even doing it. What we may not realise is that our ability to assess risks as an adult is linked to the opportunities we had as children to make our own decisions, good or bad.
When it comes to the NDIS it’s about Skill and Will
Whilst it can be a little confusing it’s important that we understand the fundamental premise of the NDIS funding. The NDIS is the latest policy that shifts funding from institutions to the consumers. The premise is that individual consumers will more effectively and efficiently access the services that they need to support their unique needs. Whilst we applaud the Commonwealth’s position we are also a little concerned about what this might mean for the services provided to vulnerable people, most notably in two areas.
Are some people naturally more caring than others?
Aside from having the right skills, knowledge and qualifications to work in the care sector, what are the actual attributes that make a good carer? We know that care in its essence is about compassion, so is there a way of measuring our compassion as individuals? Do some people have more capability to care than others, or is it something we all possess?
Building a brighter future for Australia’s young people
A vital part of the role for youth workers is to develop professional working relationships with young people, which are an important source of personal support. Youth workers aim to empower young people to achieve the benefits of full participation in their communities. They enhance the power of young people by making power relations open and clear and by holding those with power accountable.
