Stark reality of poverty in NSW | Sector financial sustainability + more

3 October 2024

CHILDHOOD POVERTY HAS LONG TERM CONSEQUENCES

As we mark Anti-Poverty Week this month, the stark reality of poverty in New South Wales has become increasingly evident. The statistics are alarming: one million people, including a quarter of all children, are living below the poverty line. This crisis is concentrated in Sydney's western and southwestern suburbs, where rates of child poverty are as high as two in five.

The most recent NCOSS report analyses the rising cost of living and shows it is exacerbating the crisis of childhood poverty. Families are forced to make impossible choices, sacrificing essential needs like food, healthcare, and social connection. The housing crisis, intertwined with poverty, is creating a vicious cycle, particularly for households with children. Homelessness rates among families have soared, exposing children to increased risks of violence and maltreatment.

The long-term consequences of child poverty are devastating. Children growing up in poverty are more likely to suffer from poor physical and mental health throughout their lives. These challenges can persist into adulthood, limiting their opportunities for education, employment, and social well-being.

Our current systems are failing these children. Early childhood education, a crucial foundation for future success, is increasingly out of reach for low-income families. The lack of access to quality education can have lasting consequences, limiting their academic achievements and future earning potential.

However, there is hope. Ending poverty is achievable, and we know the solutions. Investing in social housing, expanding access to early childhood education, and addressing food insecurity are critical steps. The NSW Government must take bold action to address these issues, while the Federal Government must increase income support payments to lift people out of poverty.

It is time to confront the silent crisis of poverty in New South Wales. By working together, we can create a future where every child has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their circumstances.

NCOSS has joined the End Child Poverty campaign and we encourage our members and friends to join us.

Since the pandemic, we have heard from our members and the wider social services sector that you are increasingly experiencing hardship and complications due to funding issues and increased community needs. We are actively engaging with the NSW Government to bring these issues to their attention and seek action to meet community need and improve engagement with social service organisations.

WHAT and WHY?

We need your help to make sure that we have captured the whole sector's perspective and sure that the message is reaching the decision makers. Please take this 15 minute survey to share your organisation’s experience in managing the funding and service delivery costs in 2023-24.

NCOSS will use your responses (deidentified in reports) to advocate for strengthening the sector, including through the Secure Jobs and Funding Certainty initiative, and in its pre-budget submission for 2025-26.

WHO, WHEN and HOW?

The survey is for those in management roles who have knowledge of their organisations’ finances.

Click on this link NCOSS Survey on Sector Financial Sustainability 2024

For any issues in accessing the survey, contact justine@ncoss.org.au.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss the survey and sector sustainability, contact Cara Varian, CEO, at cara@ncoss.org.au.

Add your voice to the growing evidence that the sector urgently needs greater and ongoing support to keep resilient, and continue meeting the ever increasing needs of the communities they support.

The Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) sent a notice to peak bodies this week about a trial they are undertaking with a selection of providers. The trial is testing how referrals and sensitive client information could be shared more securely between providers and DCJ.

In the notice, DCJ said: “Following an incident involving a phishing email impacting our contracted service providers, DCJ identified issues in the way DCJ staff use emails to send some referrals and share sensitive client information to service providers.

“DCJ is trialling a solution to share sensitive client information with a small group of service providers that deliver services in the ISSNSW district. The trial will use SharePoint to share referrals and associated information between DCJ operational teams and service providers in a secure way.

“The trial will mean phone or email referrals for these services in the ISSNSW district will no longer be used. The outcome of the trial will shape the use of this secure platform for DCJ referrals to service providers across the state.

NCOSS is due to release research regarding cyber security in the social services sector soon, which may influence this work.

A new Everybody’s Home report reveals that Australians on the lowest incomes are being priced out of renting in virtually every corner of the country, despite a rise in Centrelink payments and rent assistance.

The ‘Priced Out’ 2024 report shows people who primarily rely on Centrelink payments and the full-time minimum wage would be in severe rental stress across all capital cities and most regional areas.

Key findings include:

Single JobSeeker recipients are facing acute rental stress, and would have to spend all their income or more on unit rents in most capital cities and 10 regional areas
Those relying on the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension or working full-time on the minimum wage would likely be in severe rental stress in almost every part of the country

You can read the full report here.

Home Truths Webinar
Mercy Foundation
10 October, Online
Free | Register here

Women from migrant, refugee and asylum-seeking backgrounds can encounter significant challenges when seeking a safe and stable home in Australia. These traumatic experiences impact on physical and mental health, wellbeing and hope for the future.

We will discuss the challenges and barriers women face and the effective solutions and interventions that enable women to achieve independence and escape cycles of violence, exploitation and homelessness.

Anti-Poverty Week Webinar: The new frontier of exclusion – digital poverty
The Smith Family
18 October, Online
Free | Register here

Moderated by Doug Taylor, CEO The Smith Family, this session will spotlight practical solutions and innovative strategies from Australian organisations dedicated to addressing digital poverty.

Hear firsthand from experts (Wendy Field, Caroline McDaid, and Jessica Wilson) who are making strides in enhancing access to technology, improving digital literacy, and fostering greater online engagement.

Little Minds, Adult Lives
Australians for Mental Health
23 October, NSW Parliament
Free | Register here

Join us as we explore the connection between our lives as children and our experience of mental health and wellbeing as adults.

On the back of groundbreaking research conducted by the University of Sydney Matilda Centre, our panel of experts will explore how nurturing little lives, including through the child protection system, is essential to lifelong mental wellbeing. The panel of speakers includes Cara Varian CEO, NSW Council of Social Services.

Navigating Leaving Care and After Care
FACSIAR
29 October, Online
Free | Register here

In this webinar, researchers, Professor Melissa O’Donnell and Dr Lauren Parsons will present findings from a recent longitudinal study of young people transitioning from care highlighting specific pathways that may be influential to a range of post-care outcomes.

Scott Wheeler and Melissa Pearce from the Department of Communities and Justice will present and discuss the various leaving and after care services available for NSW care leavers and how frontline workers can best guide young people through transition planning and aftercare.

Navigating Boundaries and Difficult Conversations
LEAD
30 October, Rooty Hill Novotel
$55 - $90 | Register here

In community services, where the lines between professional and personal lives often intersect, it’s easy for boundaries to become blurred.

The very qualities that make you a compassionate and nurturing service provider can also leave you susceptible to blurring, especially when coupled with fatigue. Establishing and maintaining healthy boundaries is crucial for the safety and respect of both you and your clients.

Pride Foundation Australia Small Grants
Closing Date: 18 November 2024

The Small Grants program supports projects proposed by individuals and or organisations and or communities who would otherwise be limited by the constraints of other funding programs.

The maximum grant has been increased to $1000 in 2022 and there will be more grants awarded (if successful) each round. The project needs to directly or indirectly assist, involve and benefit LGBTQIA+ people and promote positive social outcomes and mental health in the community.

For more information, please visit the grant information page.

Dementia Australia Diversity Small Grants
Closing Date: 11 October 2024

Dementia Australia is offering grant opportunities of up to $30,000 (inc. GST) to Australian Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse organisations or groups.

This grant aims to:

increase equity of access to dementia information and support across diverse groups
build greater understanding of dementia
empower staff and community leaders to facilitate conversations about dementia in their community.

For more information, please visit the grant information page.

Some of the latest from our Jobs Board:

Child & Adolescent Counsellor (Armidale) - NSW STARTTS - VIEW JOB

Official Community Visitor (NSW-wide) - Ageing and Disability Commission - VIEW JOB

MCRN Manager (Blue Mountains) - Mountains Community Resource Network - VIEW JOB

Country Director (Sydney) - Jesuit Refugee Service - VIEW JOB

Policy and Research Officer (Sydney CBD) - ACON - VIEW JOB

Family Connection and Mentor Support Worker (South West Sydney) - Anglicare - VIEW JOB

Counsellor (South West Sydney) - South West Child, Adolescent & Family Services - VIEW JOB