Article - Catholic Weekly-Too Hard Basket Is Still Too Full-Job Capacity Assessments

CATHOLIC WEEKLY

24 JANUARY 2007

FRANK QUINLAN
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES AUSTRALIA
TOO HARD BASKET IS STILL TOO FULL

The Australian newspaper reported last week that under welfare-to-work changes introduced in July, more than 3000 people suffering depression, anxiety, alcoholism or drug addiction are receiving counselling and intense therapy for up to three months to help them back into jobs.

The paper reported that under the welfare changes, people who apply for income support or whose disability pension is being reviewed are referred for a job capacity assessment if Centrelink officers consider they might face barriers to work.

Job capacity assessors can then use funds from a special brokerage account to buy these short term services.

Catholic Social Services Australia Executive Director, Frank Quinlan, said the use of the job capacity assessment is a positive initiative.

"It helps get people back into the mainstream and into a job as quickly as possible, preventing some of the social problems associated with long term unemployment," Mr Quinlan said.

"The Government has made a genuine commitment to helping people with less complex needs get access to the services they need to prepare them for the workforce.

"But the Government must make a similar commitment to more severely disadvantaged people who need longer term more intensive intervention.

"People facing severe and multiple barriers to work are referred to the Personal Support Program which, over time, helps them to reengage with society at very basic levels.

"In keeping with its budget promises, the Government has released a number of urgently needed new places in the Personal Support Programme.

"Despite catering to more severely disadvantaged people, the Personal Support Programme receives less funding per place, than those less disadvantaged people referred to short-term help through other programs.

"PSP places are seriously underfunded. The lack of resources makes it very difficult to secure appropriate intervention services for this vulnerable group of people.

"It would be very encouraging if the Government made the same commitment to this highly disadvantaged group.

"With more realistic funding, these people stand a better chance of accessing mainstream services and perhaps even getting a job. 

"While some of these people might never be able to work, they will be able to participate more fully in their communities.

"We want these people to enjoy the benefits that our booming economy has to offer all Australians," Mr Quinlan said.

24 January 2007                                                                                  

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