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Carers Crisis: Victims Turned Away

By Noel Hester

More than half of all community and welfare workers say they have to turn people in need away because of lack of resources, according to a survey of the industry.

	Social Refuse: Carers In Crisis

And stress in the industry is rife, with up to 70 per cent of workers reporting they have been the victims of physical or verbal abuse in the workplace.

The results of the survey of 580 Australian Services Union members were released as the sector braces for another round of cuts in next week's State budget.

The ASU and NCOSS are planning a rally outside State Parliament on Wednesday to highlight concerns that the sector is beginning to crack from insufficient funding.

ASU Services Branch state secretary Alison Peters says the violence within the industry is just a symptom of the pressures of under-staffing and under-resourcing.

According to the survey, conducted earlier this year, 70 per cent of workers in accommodation services - refuges and hostels for the homeless - reported that they experience violence, physical and verbal abuse, at work. For many the violence occurs on a regular basis.

Threats, intimidation, bashings and knife attacks have been known to occur. Many workers complain that there isn't money even for basic support such as counselling after a violent incident at work.

Not surprisingly, over 62% of workers say that they did not intend to stay in the social and community services sector. Poor wages, poor funding and stress are the major reasons why people intend to leave the sector.

The non-government social and community services sector provides a range of essential community services for youth, the aged, people with disabilities, families in need and the homeless.

Contrary to popular belief the majority of such services are not provided by the public sector. The government provides funds to organisations in the non-government sector. These organisations, usually not-for-profit, are often community-based and run by voluntary management committees or charities.

Peters says the Government has never provided sufficient funds for organisations to meet community needs.

Women Bear the Brunt

Women make up about 80% of the social and community services workforce. Their Award, the NSW Social and Community Services (State) Award provides the worst pay and conditions for such workers in the country.

According to Alison Peters, the award highlights the pay inequities still faced by women in the 1990's.

'The pay rates ignore and undervalue the qualifications, skills and responsibilities expected of workers in the sector, the vast majority of whom are women. It's difficult to imagine a male dominated profession being paid so poorly.'

Carol's first job when she left school in 1979 was with a local take away food store where she earned about $10 per hour. In the twenty years since, she has trained and worked as a registered nurse and developed skills in working with people with disabilities.

She now works in a group home for people with demanding physical and intellectual disabilities. She loves the work and takes pleasure in applying her specialist skills. Her base rate of pay after studying, gaining qualifications and twenty years experience is now $10.99 per hour. That's $22,923 per year.

Toni has worked in social and community services for close to twenty years. She has worked in family day care, women's refuges, family support and now coordinates a domestic violence court assistance scheme. Even though it's a full time job, the government only funds the position for 21 hours per week. She has a teaching qualification, a Welfare Diploma and a Law Degree. She earns under $18,000 a year.

Alison Peters says support for the sector is a litmus test for a government which promotes itself as family friendly and a champion of the less privileged.

'The public has good cause to question the priorities of a government which refuses to properly fund the services which play a big part in holding our society together,' she said.

NCOSS and the ASU are sponsoring a rally in support of community services on Wednesday 23 June at 12 noon. The rally will take place outside Parliament House in Macquarie Street. Guest speakers will include Gary Moore, Director of NCOSS and Alison Peters, Secretary of ASU Services Branch.

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  Issue 18 contents

»	Carers Crisis: Victims Turned Away
»	Farmers Back Social Audit
»	Holiday Bugs: Government Asked to Act on Y2K
»	Oakdale Miners Take Message to Canberra
»	United Front for Public Sector Pay
»	Talking Books Silenced
»	Upper House Reform: Lest We Forget Greiner
»	Pregnancy Bunfight Looms
»	Horta Launches East Timor Mercy Ship
»	Sparkies Back Fantastic Plastic
»	APHEDA Helps Beat The Blockade
»	Torture Support Day, June 26

»	Guest Report
»	Sport
»	Trades Hall
»	Piers Watch

»	Chardonnay Debate Lacks Class
»	GST Rally, Town Hall, Monday June 21

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