Groups in Context - Sole Parents
Exploring the Four Specific Groups within the Community
Prevalence of each group within the community
Individual diversity within each group
- Death of a parent, divorce, one parent is incarcerated
- ¾ of single fathers are employed vs ½ of single mothers
- 84% of cases are single mothers
- Age of the parent
- Cultural views on separation and divorce
- Number of dependants
- Child support
- Government welfare
- ¾ of single fathers are employed vs ½ of single mothers
- 84% of cases are single mothers
- Age of the parent
- Cultural views on separation and divorce
- Number of dependants
- Child support
- Government welfare
Terminology used by the community to describe the group
Positive
Single Parent Solo Widowed Divorced Independent Lone Separated Parent |
Negative
Single Parent Broken Family Struggling Divorced Disadvantaged Lone Separated |
Discuss the impact that particular terminology may have on the sole parent’s wellbeing. (6 Marks)
Positive Impact
The use of positive terminology such as ‘single parent’ and ‘independent’ can positively impact upon a sole parent’s emotional wellbeing by making them feel empowered and strong being able to raise their children without the support, or lack thereof, of their children’s other parent. Similarly, using politically correct terms such as ‘sole parent’, ‘divorcee’ and ‘widow/er’, being said in a positive manner can also feel empowering and allow them to embrace their situation and make the most of it, which could improve on their physical wellbeing if this takes them on a course to improving all areas of their life including their physical health.
Negative Impact
Alternatively, calling a sole parent a ‘broken family’ or ‘disadvantaged’ or even politically correct terms in a negative tone can impact negatively on these parents’ wellbeing in several ways. These parents’ physical wellbeing can be negatively impacted upon by way of stress because the terminology is affecting their belief in themselves and being able to handle the pressure of raising their children alone, which could also result in the parent’s neglecting their own health such as not eating properly, further deteriorating their physical wellbeing. Furthermore, emotional wellbeing is compromised through stress as well, moreso if the parent feels they have failed their children as a mother/father. This can also impact upon spiritual wellbeing by way of they feel they have failed in their purpose if that is what their whole life is focused upon.
Positive Impact
The use of positive terminology such as ‘single parent’ and ‘independent’ can positively impact upon a sole parent’s emotional wellbeing by making them feel empowered and strong being able to raise their children without the support, or lack thereof, of their children’s other parent. Similarly, using politically correct terms such as ‘sole parent’, ‘divorcee’ and ‘widow/er’, being said in a positive manner can also feel empowering and allow them to embrace their situation and make the most of it, which could improve on their physical wellbeing if this takes them on a course to improving all areas of their life including their physical health.
Negative Impact
Alternatively, calling a sole parent a ‘broken family’ or ‘disadvantaged’ or even politically correct terms in a negative tone can impact negatively on these parents’ wellbeing in several ways. These parents’ physical wellbeing can be negatively impacted upon by way of stress because the terminology is affecting their belief in themselves and being able to handle the pressure of raising their children alone, which could also result in the parent’s neglecting their own health such as not eating properly, further deteriorating their physical wellbeing. Furthermore, emotional wellbeing is compromised through stress as well, moreso if the parent feels they have failed their children as a mother/father. This can also impact upon spiritual wellbeing by way of they feel they have failed in their purpose if that is what their whole life is focused upon.
Issues of Concern for the Four Specific Groups within the Community
Satisfaction of Needs
Specific needs of each group
Note:
Specific Needs = (SHESEA)
Safety and Security (S)
Health (H)
Education (E)
Sense of Identity (S)
Employment (E)
Adequate Standard of Living (A)
Specific Needs = (SHESEA)
Safety and Security (S)
Health (H)
Education (E)
Sense of Identity (S)
Employment (E)
Adequate Standard of Living (A)
Adequate standard of living (food, clothing, shelter)
For a sole parent, to have an adequate standard of living not only for themselves but for their children is paramount as this then opens the door for all the other needs to be fulfilled, particularly safety and security and health, as the environment is not a factor that will deteriorate these needs.
Safety and security
Feeling safe and secure is important as if the parent feels unsafe or insecure they will be unable to properly care for their children, who are the focus of their day-to-day lives, and will generally make their children feel unsafe and insecure as well, making the parent’s feeling worse with their inability to fulfil this need for their children.
Employment
Being able to provide for themselves and their family is a significant aspect of being a parent and, while housing is not necessarily dependant on employment and income due to government assistance, everything else from bills to food to tuition for their children costs and requires either employment or government payments, of which employment is preferable due to the higher income
Health
A parent’s health is important in caring for their children as, without their health the parent is unable to wholly focus on their child’s wellbeing and needs as they need to momentarily focus on themselves and ensuring they are well enough to ensure their care is being met
Education
A parent does not necessarily need education, however standard high schooling is obviously mandatory and many parents attend tertiary education to help them find better employment. Some parents this will help them care for their children’s education needs as they may know the pros and cons of all the local schools and they will also be able to better assist their children in their work at home
Sense of identity
A parent’s sense of identity is not the most important thing in their lives, however it carries some significance as, for many sole parents, being a parent to their children is who they identify as and this can better ensure their attentiveness to their care, particularly when the children are young.
Justify the two most significant needs for sole parents and discuss the implications if these needs are not met.
Adequate Standard of Living
For a sole parent, to have an adequate standard of living not only for themselves but for their children is paramount as this then opens the door for all the other needs to be fulfilled. To ensure that the home is free of negative environmental health factors for both illnesses and injury is one assurance for the children’s and parent’s health, thus being required to ensure health can later be fulfilled. Additionally, safety and security cannot be met if the sole parent and their children are living in an unsafe home where there are security risks such as faulty locks and broken windows. With this need having been met, all of the other needs can be addressed by the parent, which will have a follow on affect to the children and improving overall wellbeing, though emotional and physical most particularly due to the physical health and stable state of mind being in place.
Without this need having been met, however, the following needs cannot be met and some health and wellbeing implications may follow such as insomnia and paranoia from the lack of adequacy within the home posing a health, safety and security risk to both parent and children.
Safety and Security
Feeling safe and secure is important as if the parent feels unsafe or insecure they will be unable to properly care for their children, who are the focus of their day-to-day lives. If the parent is able to provide safety and security not only within the environment but emotionally and mentally the child will be not only easier to care for but more understanding and content with their life in general. This is immensely beneficial for the child and parent’s emotional wellbeing as it allows for a stable state of mind and a general depletion of stress and worry in both parent and child.
However, if the parent feels unsafe and insecure, this will generally make their children feel unsafe and insecure as well, making the parent’s feeling worse with their inability to fulfil this need for their children and creating an insecurity cycle.
Adequate Standard of Living
For a sole parent, to have an adequate standard of living not only for themselves but for their children is paramount as this then opens the door for all the other needs to be fulfilled. To ensure that the home is free of negative environmental health factors for both illnesses and injury is one assurance for the children’s and parent’s health, thus being required to ensure health can later be fulfilled. Additionally, safety and security cannot be met if the sole parent and their children are living in an unsafe home where there are security risks such as faulty locks and broken windows. With this need having been met, all of the other needs can be addressed by the parent, which will have a follow on affect to the children and improving overall wellbeing, though emotional and physical most particularly due to the physical health and stable state of mind being in place.
Without this need having been met, however, the following needs cannot be met and some health and wellbeing implications may follow such as insomnia and paranoia from the lack of adequacy within the home posing a health, safety and security risk to both parent and children.
Safety and Security
Feeling safe and secure is important as if the parent feels unsafe or insecure they will be unable to properly care for their children, who are the focus of their day-to-day lives. If the parent is able to provide safety and security not only within the environment but emotionally and mentally the child will be not only easier to care for but more understanding and content with their life in general. This is immensely beneficial for the child and parent’s emotional wellbeing as it allows for a stable state of mind and a general depletion of stress and worry in both parent and child.
However, if the parent feels unsafe and insecure, this will generally make their children feel unsafe and insecure as well, making the parent’s feeling worse with their inability to fulfil this need for their children and creating an insecurity cycle.
Access to Services
Types of services, eg financial support, transport, accommodation and housing, health care, counselling, education, employment, legal aid
Note:
Types of Services = (FATLEECH)
Financial (F)
Accommodation (A)
Transport (T)
Legal aid (L)
Education (E)
Employment (E)
Counselling (C)
Healthcare (H)
Types of Services = (FATLEECH)
Financial (F)
Accommodation (A)
Transport (T)
Legal aid (L)
Education (E)
Employment (E)
Counselling (C)
Healthcare (H)
Service
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Positive Implication
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Implication
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Financial
Centrelink – means tested parenting payment for single parents |
Centrelink providing parent payment (Single Parent) for individuals that are eligible has a positive impact on the individuals economic wellbeing as it allows the parent to both care for their children and provide for them, even though they may be unable to work or do not earn enough from work to do so.
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Without this service, many sole parents will be unable to provide for their children properly as they have to rely solely on their single income, and for parents with more than one child this is especially difficult which will result in both parent and child being poorly cared for and malnourished.
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Accommodation
Government Housing |
Government housing provides a long-term and affordable housing for people living in NSW on low incomes who are unable to rent privately has a positive impact on the individual’s physical wellbeing as it will decrease extensive amount of stress on the sole parent themselves, allowing them to be a more efficient and appropriate parent to their children
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If a sole parent is not eligible for the parenting payment, they may have to continue working long hours to meet the needs of their children, therefore their emotional wellbeing may suffer
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Transport
School Student Transport Scheme |
SSTS provides subsidized travel for eligible NSW school students on either rails, buses, ferries or long distance coach services which is available for transport to and from schools for has a positive impact on the single parent’s economic wellbeing as it reduces the amount of income spent on their children’s travel to and from school compared to driving i.e. fuel
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If a sole parent’s dependents is not eligible for the subsidized travel expense, they may have to reduce their working hours in order to drop off and pick up their children from school limiting their employment options as a single mother and therefore their economic wellbeing may suffer
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Legal Aid
Child Maintenance/ Support Payments |
Sole parents can access legal aid to subsidies legal fees involved in court/divorce proceedings and can have a positive impact on the sole parent’s economic wellbeing as they no longer will be struggling to survive and provide all of the vital essentials for survival with the Child Maintenance ensuring that the absent parent supplies the appropriate payment on the required basis for their children living with the residing parent
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If a sole parent cannot access this service, they may be required to work longer hours impacting their economic wellbeing as they will need to outsource various OOHS cares in order for their children to be cared for during the working hours to support themselves off the one income as they cannot access legal aid to help ensure absent parents provide the appropriate payments when necessary
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Education
Public school |
NSW Government provides sole parents with local public schools for a cheaper alternative in the schooling industry however still remains to provide a ‘stimulation and challenging environment where their child can thrive’ in which can positively impact on their economic wellbeing as they do not have to provide school payments per term, however they do have to pay for excursions, camps etc.
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Employment
Leave entitlements – Carers Leave |
Carer’s leave entitles an employee to take time off in order to help them deal with personal illness, caring responsibilities and family emergencies in which can positively impact on their physical wellbeing as the sole parent can have reduced stress and anxiety on their financial situation if in doubt one of their dependents got sick requiring the single parent to
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Counselling
GP Management plan |
The GP Management plan allows parents, not limited to sole parents but including, to access five free counselling sessions for themselves or their children, which not only assists them financially but allows an otherwise inaccessible service to be available, particularly in the cases of divorce or death resulting in a sole parent
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Healthcare
GP – Bulk Billing |
Bulk Billing provides individuals eligible for the bills to be directed to Medicare directly for any medical or health service that the individual receives, impacting on their economic wellbeing as the service is either entirely paid by Medicare or a high percentage is reducing the level of income taken away
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However if a sole parent cannot access this service and either themselves or their dependents becomes ill enough for them to arrive at a GP, they will be required to work longer hours as the amount of money needed for a simple check-up in the recent years as significantly increased therefore their emotional wellbeing may suffer as well as they will have limited time with their family
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Factors affecting access to services
Characteristics of individuals within the group, eg age, gender, level of education, culture, type of disability, first language spoken, socioeconomic status
Note:
Characteristics = (CALFSTooGood)
Culture (C)
Age (A)
Level of Education (L)
First Language Spoken (F)
Socioeconomic Status (S)
Type of Disability (T)
Gender (G)
Characteristics = (CALFSTooGood)
Culture (C)
Age (A)
Level of Education (L)
First Language Spoken (F)
Socioeconomic Status (S)
Type of Disability (T)
Gender (G)
Age
Education
A young sole parent lacks education i.e. life experience and knowledge for raising a child or children independently. This sole parent may not know discipline strategies, nutritional foods, vaccination, etc.
Gender
Healthcare
Sole mothers are statistically more likely to take their children to the GP if something is wrong than a father who might just shrug off a cold when there could be something worse at play.
Level of Education
Employment
A sole parent may not have had the opportunity to further their education/qualifications e.g. if they had a while at a young age this makes it more difficult to access suitable employment that provides adequate income etc.
Culture
Financial Support
Sole parent may be new to the country and therefore are unaware of the financial support/ payments they are eligible for via centrelink. They may also have difficulty accessing the internet to complete forms, etc.
Type of Disability
Accommodation
Sole parents who have children and a disability of any kind may have a hard time finding accommodation that both provides for the parent’s disability with either modifications or carer visits and allow the parent to care for their children in the home
First Language Spoken
Counselling
Language barriers e.g. inability to speak English may prevent a sole parent from accessing counselling regarding divorce, domestic violence, etc. issues
Socioeconomic Status
Legal Aid
A sole parent with a low socioeconomic status may be unable to afford a good solicitor to represent them in court, which could result in a lack of child support payments being paid or custody arrangements being unfairly altered
Education
A young sole parent lacks education i.e. life experience and knowledge for raising a child or children independently. This sole parent may not know discipline strategies, nutritional foods, vaccination, etc.
Gender
Healthcare
Sole mothers are statistically more likely to take their children to the GP if something is wrong than a father who might just shrug off a cold when there could be something worse at play.
Level of Education
Employment
A sole parent may not have had the opportunity to further their education/qualifications e.g. if they had a while at a young age this makes it more difficult to access suitable employment that provides adequate income etc.
Culture
Financial Support
Sole parent may be new to the country and therefore are unaware of the financial support/ payments they are eligible for via centrelink. They may also have difficulty accessing the internet to complete forms, etc.
Type of Disability
Accommodation
Sole parents who have children and a disability of any kind may have a hard time finding accommodation that both provides for the parent’s disability with either modifications or carer visits and allow the parent to care for their children in the home
First Language Spoken
Counselling
Language barriers e.g. inability to speak English may prevent a sole parent from accessing counselling regarding divorce, domestic violence, etc. issues
Socioeconomic Status
Legal Aid
A sole parent with a low socioeconomic status may be unable to afford a good solicitor to represent them in court, which could result in a lack of child support payments being paid or custody arrangements being unfairly altered
Explain how the characteristics of sole parents affect their access to services (3 SEELS)
Age/Education
The age of a sole parent is significant, particularly in younger sole parents, in accessing education services or having the life skills to properly care and nurture their child/ren. These young sole parents who may be recently out of high school or still attending school have little opportunities to complete their schooling or get a degree to enable them to go on to find suitable employment to earn an income, though there are a number of services available for these individuals. In terms of life skills, however, the knowledge of how to care for a child in terms of nutrition, vaccinations and general daily tasks for the child, a teenager or young person would have limited to no knowledge of these things aside form perhaps their participation in younger siblings’ upbringing. The sole parent’s age affects their access to education opportunities and knowledge, most particularly in young parents.
Socioeconomic Status/Legal Aid
Due to the cost of raising children, many sole parents have a rather low socioeconomic status, which makes finding reasonable legal aid at an affordable price difficult to find. This legal representation may be necessary in settling divorce settlements, arranging custody, setting child support, dealing with instances of abuse, etc. and, without a dependable and competent legal representative, the parent of the child may end up with less than what they hoped for for their children and thus making the raising of said children more difficult for this parent, particularly in regards to finance and time with the children. Due to these parents’ low socioeconomic status and lack of access to high-end legal representation, cheaper or government solicitors may do poorly by these individuals and make their life difficult.
Type of Disability/Accommodation and Housing
For sole parents, finding suitable and affordable accommodation is a hard enough task, however, factoring in disability needs for either parent or a child makes it exponentially harder. In terms of physical disabilities, modifying the home the family already has may prove problematic, moreso if the family is in a government housing house where most modifications are restricted and therefore is rendered unlivable. In order to find another home, it must both be suitable for the number of children, suitable for the individual in the family with a disability and within a close range of local shopping centres and schools that also cater to the needs of a child with a disability if that was the case. With some psychological or intellectual disabilities, carers or counsellors may need to visit the home regularly to check on the individual with a disability as well as the family’s wellbeing in general and this must therefore be added to the criteria for a suitable home, narrowing the search field considerably.
Age/Education
The age of a sole parent is significant, particularly in younger sole parents, in accessing education services or having the life skills to properly care and nurture their child/ren. These young sole parents who may be recently out of high school or still attending school have little opportunities to complete their schooling or get a degree to enable them to go on to find suitable employment to earn an income, though there are a number of services available for these individuals. In terms of life skills, however, the knowledge of how to care for a child in terms of nutrition, vaccinations and general daily tasks for the child, a teenager or young person would have limited to no knowledge of these things aside form perhaps their participation in younger siblings’ upbringing. The sole parent’s age affects their access to education opportunities and knowledge, most particularly in young parents.
Socioeconomic Status/Legal Aid
Due to the cost of raising children, many sole parents have a rather low socioeconomic status, which makes finding reasonable legal aid at an affordable price difficult to find. This legal representation may be necessary in settling divorce settlements, arranging custody, setting child support, dealing with instances of abuse, etc. and, without a dependable and competent legal representative, the parent of the child may end up with less than what they hoped for for their children and thus making the raising of said children more difficult for this parent, particularly in regards to finance and time with the children. Due to these parents’ low socioeconomic status and lack of access to high-end legal representation, cheaper or government solicitors may do poorly by these individuals and make their life difficult.
Type of Disability/Accommodation and Housing
For sole parents, finding suitable and affordable accommodation is a hard enough task, however, factoring in disability needs for either parent or a child makes it exponentially harder. In terms of physical disabilities, modifying the home the family already has may prove problematic, moreso if the family is in a government housing house where most modifications are restricted and therefore is rendered unlivable. In order to find another home, it must both be suitable for the number of children, suitable for the individual in the family with a disability and within a close range of local shopping centres and schools that also cater to the needs of a child with a disability if that was the case. With some psychological or intellectual disabilities, carers or counsellors may need to visit the home regularly to check on the individual with a disability as well as the family’s wellbeing in general and this must therefore be added to the criteria for a suitable home, narrowing the search field considerably.
Resources, eg time, money, energy, knowledge
Note:
Resources = (KMET) (Like Kmart)
Knowledge (K)
Money (M)
Energy (E)
Time (T)
Resources = (KMET) (Like Kmart)
Knowledge (K)
Money (M)
Energy (E)
Time (T)
Knowledge
- May not be aware of services due to lack of education, young age, cultural background, language barriers, etc.
- Increased access to knowledge via the internet make it readily available for sole parents
- Individuals can prepare for becoming a sole parent by using Centrelink, find rental properties, etc.
- Community groups e/g/ parenting groups can increase each others’ knowledge
- Own upbringing may increase a sole parent’s knowledge, e.g. if they themselves came from sole parent families
Money
- Little finances available may all go towards children’s needs, not to wants/desires
- Some parents are eligible for welfare payments i.e. parenting payments (Single)
- Childcare costs are expensive therefore may not be worthwhile to work and have children in formal care arrangements
- May utilise flexible work patterns, e.g. working remotely in order to earn an income and care for children
- Child maintenance payments
Energy
- Having no partner to share the responsibility of caring for children, particularly newborns at night when they wake up, there is less energy available to access services such as the GP
- A lack of energy can also result from fulfilling all of the multiple role expectations of two parents e.g. mother, father, employee, cook, gardener, etc.
- Sleep deprivation and stress are common in single parents
- Older children helping with younger children around the house can restore some energy to the parent
Time
- Limited leisure time due to multiple role expectations
- No time to access services such as grocery shopping, health care, etc.
- Taking kids with them to services takes longer due to preparing the children, ensuring they have entertainment, food, etc.
- May not be aware of services due to lack of education, young age, cultural background, language barriers, etc.
- Increased access to knowledge via the internet make it readily available for sole parents
- Individuals can prepare for becoming a sole parent by using Centrelink, find rental properties, etc.
- Community groups e/g/ parenting groups can increase each others’ knowledge
- Own upbringing may increase a sole parent’s knowledge, e.g. if they themselves came from sole parent families
Money
- Little finances available may all go towards children’s needs, not to wants/desires
- Some parents are eligible for welfare payments i.e. parenting payments (Single)
- Childcare costs are expensive therefore may not be worthwhile to work and have children in formal care arrangements
- May utilise flexible work patterns, e.g. working remotely in order to earn an income and care for children
- Child maintenance payments
Energy
- Having no partner to share the responsibility of caring for children, particularly newborns at night when they wake up, there is less energy available to access services such as the GP
- A lack of energy can also result from fulfilling all of the multiple role expectations of two parents e.g. mother, father, employee, cook, gardener, etc.
- Sleep deprivation and stress are common in single parents
- Older children helping with younger children around the house can restore some energy to the parent
Time
- Limited leisure time due to multiple role expectations
- No time to access services such as grocery shopping, health care, etc.
- Taking kids with them to services takes longer due to preparing the children, ensuring they have entertainment, food, etc.
Aspects of the service, eg opening hours, confidentiality, location, staffing
Note:
Aspects of the Service = (COLS)
Confidentiality (C)
Opening Hours (O)
Location (L)
Staffing (S)
Aspects of the Service = (COLS)
Confidentiality (C)
Opening Hours (O)
Location (L)
Staffing (S)
Positive Examples
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Negative Examples
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Confidentiality
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Opening Hours
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The sole parent may have to work a 9-5 job to support their family, therefore a childcare facility providing care past 5pm would enable the parent to continue working and therefore positively impact upon the family’s economic wellbeing
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Location
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If a sole parent is working full time, they may not have the time to access an education service that is not close to their home. As a result, economic wellbeing may be impacted as they cannot progress further in their job
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Staffing
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Employing staff from a range of ethnic backgrounds may make the service more approachable for sole parents from ethnic backgrounds, therefore improving their emotional wellbeing when accessing services, such as counselling
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Creating positive social environments
Addressing the groups’ issues of concern
Government policy and legislation
Policy/Legislation
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Description
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How it ensures Equity…
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Child Maintenance
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NewStart
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EEO
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Organisations within the community that support the group
Parents without Partners
1. Describe the Organisation
Parents Without Partners provides single parents and their children with an opportunity for enhancing personal growth, self-confidence and sensitivity towards others by offering an environment for support, friendship and the exchange of parenting techniques. For the minor children of single parents, it offers them the opportunity to meet peers living within the same family structure and thriving. No more standing out in the crowd or feeling isolated because they are part of the single parent family.
2. Identify the specific need/s it would meet for sole parents
- Sense of Identity
- Education
3. Explain how the organisation supports the group and therefore meets the need/s identified
Parents Without Partners allows single parents, which would particularly include those feeling like they are struggling with their position and need reassurance, to gather together and settle these worries and help them become better parents. This therefore allows the parent to feel more secure in their role and more in control of their situation and this will have a flow on effect to the children, who will feel more comfortable with their mother/father now that their nerves and uncertainty has settled. Additionally, talking to other people who have been in the same situation but for a longer period of time can educate them in the services available as well as other tips for coping and managing their lives and their situation. This therefore meets the needs of safety and security, and education for sole parents.
1. Describe the Organisation
Parents Without Partners provides single parents and their children with an opportunity for enhancing personal growth, self-confidence and sensitivity towards others by offering an environment for support, friendship and the exchange of parenting techniques. For the minor children of single parents, it offers them the opportunity to meet peers living within the same family structure and thriving. No more standing out in the crowd or feeling isolated because they are part of the single parent family.
2. Identify the specific need/s it would meet for sole parents
- Sense of Identity
- Education
3. Explain how the organisation supports the group and therefore meets the need/s identified
Parents Without Partners allows single parents, which would particularly include those feeling like they are struggling with their position and need reassurance, to gather together and settle these worries and help them become better parents. This therefore allows the parent to feel more secure in their role and more in control of their situation and this will have a flow on effect to the children, who will feel more comfortable with their mother/father now that their nerves and uncertainty has settled. Additionally, talking to other people who have been in the same situation but for a longer period of time can educate them in the services available as well as other tips for coping and managing their lives and their situation. This therefore meets the needs of safety and security, and education for sole parents.
Women’s Refuge (Vinnies)
1. Describe the Organisation
Provides safe accommodation with your own room, shared bathroom, kitchen, dining room and laundry. We support and assist you in identifying needs, including accessing Centrelink benefits, housing, immigration issues, education, health, and counselling and art therapy.
The refuge services are committed to facilitating lives free from violence and abuse, raising community awareness of the devastating effects and long-term costs of domestic violence, providing all women and children access to the opportunities enjoyed by the wider community, empowering women and children to reach their full potential and lead fulfilling lives, and honouring women’s dignity, integrity and capacity for change.
2. Identify the specific need/s it would meet for sole parents
- Adequate Standard of Living
- Safety and Security
3. Explain how the organisation supports the group and therefore meets the need/s identified
The St Vincent de Paul women’s refuge assists young women, particularly those who are victims of domestic violence and result in them becoming single mothers by providing safe and adequate housing in conjunction with counselling and education services. By providing a private room that has access to a shared bathroom, kitchen, dining room and laundry, these women have all they need to live in a healthy environment where there are adequate facilities for living with their children and with other women who understand their situation and can help them both in and outside of counselling. This facility also allows the women who are victims of abuse to feel safe and cared for, enabling them to care for their children.
1. Describe the Organisation
Provides safe accommodation with your own room, shared bathroom, kitchen, dining room and laundry. We support and assist you in identifying needs, including accessing Centrelink benefits, housing, immigration issues, education, health, and counselling and art therapy.
The refuge services are committed to facilitating lives free from violence and abuse, raising community awareness of the devastating effects and long-term costs of domestic violence, providing all women and children access to the opportunities enjoyed by the wider community, empowering women and children to reach their full potential and lead fulfilling lives, and honouring women’s dignity, integrity and capacity for change.
2. Identify the specific need/s it would meet for sole parents
- Adequate Standard of Living
- Safety and Security
3. Explain how the organisation supports the group and therefore meets the need/s identified
The St Vincent de Paul women’s refuge assists young women, particularly those who are victims of domestic violence and result in them becoming single mothers by providing safe and adequate housing in conjunction with counselling and education services. By providing a private room that has access to a shared bathroom, kitchen, dining room and laundry, these women have all they need to live in a healthy environment where there are adequate facilities for living with their children and with other women who understand their situation and can help them both in and outside of counselling. This facility also allows the women who are victims of abuse to feel safe and cared for, enabling them to care for their children.
Analyse the extent to which organisations within the community assist in satisfying the needs of sole parents (8 Marks)
Parents without Partners
Sense of Identity
The Parents Without Partners organisation allows single parents and their children, which would primarily include those feeling like they are struggling with their position and need reassurance, to gather together and settle these worries and help them. This therefore allows the parent to feel more secure in their role and more in control of their situation and this will have a flow on effect to the children, who will feel more comfortable with their mother/father now that their nerves and uncertainty has settled and will be better able to grow as their own person rather than just ‘the kid from a broken family’. Thus, this organisation is a significant assistance for sole parents in securing their inner security and also in assisting the whole family rise above the stigma attached to their family structure. This is beneficial for both emotional and social wellbeing as the family, the parent in particular, wont be feeling guilty or upset that they’re in a family structure that is considered ‘broken’ or ‘unstable’ and therefore feel better about themselves, which can project onto others around them and improve their view on the sole parent family structure, allowing these families to better mingle with the rest of society.
Without this service available, the implication would be a significant negative impact on the whole family’s emotional and social wellbeing, opposing the positive effect noted above, but will be more extensive as the parent in particular may feel uncertain or insecure in their position and unsure of how to navigate their new role. This can then impose on the children’s self worth as their mother/father’s feelings can reflect on the child and stunt their development of their sense of individual identity.
St Vincent de Paul Women’s Refuge
Adequate Standard of Living
The St Vincent de Paul women’s refuge assists young women, particularly those who are victims of domestic violence and result in them becoming single mothers by providing safe and adequate housing in conjunction with counselling and education services. By providing a private room that has access to a shared bathroom, kitchen, dining room and laundry, these women have all they need to live in a healthy environment where there are adequate facilities for living with their children and with other women who understand their situation and can help them both in and outside of counselling. From attaining this adequate standard of living, the way is paved for both parent and child/ren to satisfy the rest of their needs and, therefore, the refuge is a remarkable assistance for sole parents. This service also allows for sole parents and their children to improve upon their physical and emotional wellbeing as they are able to find a safe and healthy home that will ensure they do not fall ill or remain victims of abuse, which is also improving emotional wellbeing as they process their feelings about their past experiences.
Alternatively, without this service their overall wellbeing is negatively impacted upon as many of these families would either be living in poor accommodation or victims of abuse, which is poor for physical, emotional and social wellbeing. Without first fulfilling this need, all of the other needs are also unlikely to be met by parent or child and, therefore, they will be living a very poor-quality life without the assistance this refuge provides.
Parents without Partners
Sense of Identity
The Parents Without Partners organisation allows single parents and their children, which would primarily include those feeling like they are struggling with their position and need reassurance, to gather together and settle these worries and help them. This therefore allows the parent to feel more secure in their role and more in control of their situation and this will have a flow on effect to the children, who will feel more comfortable with their mother/father now that their nerves and uncertainty has settled and will be better able to grow as their own person rather than just ‘the kid from a broken family’. Thus, this organisation is a significant assistance for sole parents in securing their inner security and also in assisting the whole family rise above the stigma attached to their family structure. This is beneficial for both emotional and social wellbeing as the family, the parent in particular, wont be feeling guilty or upset that they’re in a family structure that is considered ‘broken’ or ‘unstable’ and therefore feel better about themselves, which can project onto others around them and improve their view on the sole parent family structure, allowing these families to better mingle with the rest of society.
Without this service available, the implication would be a significant negative impact on the whole family’s emotional and social wellbeing, opposing the positive effect noted above, but will be more extensive as the parent in particular may feel uncertain or insecure in their position and unsure of how to navigate their new role. This can then impose on the children’s self worth as their mother/father’s feelings can reflect on the child and stunt their development of their sense of individual identity.
St Vincent de Paul Women’s Refuge
Adequate Standard of Living
The St Vincent de Paul women’s refuge assists young women, particularly those who are victims of domestic violence and result in them becoming single mothers by providing safe and adequate housing in conjunction with counselling and education services. By providing a private room that has access to a shared bathroom, kitchen, dining room and laundry, these women have all they need to live in a healthy environment where there are adequate facilities for living with their children and with other women who understand their situation and can help them both in and outside of counselling. From attaining this adequate standard of living, the way is paved for both parent and child/ren to satisfy the rest of their needs and, therefore, the refuge is a remarkable assistance for sole parents. This service also allows for sole parents and their children to improve upon their physical and emotional wellbeing as they are able to find a safe and healthy home that will ensure they do not fall ill or remain victims of abuse, which is also improving emotional wellbeing as they process their feelings about their past experiences.
Alternatively, without this service their overall wellbeing is negatively impacted upon as many of these families would either be living in poor accommodation or victims of abuse, which is poor for physical, emotional and social wellbeing. Without first fulfilling this need, all of the other needs are also unlikely to be met by parent or child and, therefore, they will be living a very poor-quality life without the assistance this refuge provides.
Equity issues
Equity Issues Faced by Sole Parents
- One income opposed to two
- Limited opportunity for employment due to parenting requirements
- Limited recreational opportunities for children due to single transport and income
- Dual parent/multiple roles (mother and father) increased stress
- Less stability in accommodation (may have to rent rather than own due to money)
- Reduced bonding time in dual custody relationships
- Negative stigma attached to sole parenting
- Childrens’ role models lacking/distorted
Propose Strategies to Address this Inequity Issues
- Dual parent/multiple roles (mother and father) increased stress
- Parents encouraging children to engage in ports to attain the opposite gender role model (e.g. mother encouraging son to start football or father encouraging daughter to start dancing)
- Increased male teachers in primary and high schools allow mothers to have their children to have some male role models
- Uncles and brothers can assist in male role models
- Aunts and sisters can assist in female role models
- Single gender schools can provide a strong role model in teachers and older students for children (e.g. female from single dad/all male family attends and all girls school)
- Access organisations, e.g. Big Brothers Big Sisters
- Sole parent access counselling to equip themselves with the knowledge to take on both mother and father roles
- Rely on siblings to act as role models, help with parenting duties etc.
- Access financial assistance to ease the burden of one income e.g. Centrelink and Legal Aid
- One income opposed to two
- Limited opportunity for employment due to parenting requirements
- Limited recreational opportunities for children due to single transport and income
- Dual parent/multiple roles (mother and father) increased stress
- Less stability in accommodation (may have to rent rather than own due to money)
- Reduced bonding time in dual custody relationships
- Negative stigma attached to sole parenting
- Childrens’ role models lacking/distorted
Propose Strategies to Address this Inequity Issues
- Dual parent/multiple roles (mother and father) increased stress
- Parents encouraging children to engage in ports to attain the opposite gender role model (e.g. mother encouraging son to start football or father encouraging daughter to start dancing)
- Increased male teachers in primary and high schools allow mothers to have their children to have some male role models
- Uncles and brothers can assist in male role models
- Aunts and sisters can assist in female role models
- Single gender schools can provide a strong role model in teachers and older students for children (e.g. female from single dad/all male family attends and all girls school)
- Access organisations, e.g. Big Brothers Big Sisters
- Sole parent access counselling to equip themselves with the knowledge to take on both mother and father roles
- Rely on siblings to act as role models, help with parenting duties etc.
- Access financial assistance to ease the burden of one income e.g. Centrelink and Legal Aid
Positive Influences on Community Attitudes
Contributions the group makes within the community
- Set a positive example to other sole parents that you can be a successful parent
- Contribute to the workforce via such things as flexible work patterns
- Pay taxes, therefore supporting others
- Share personal experience with others to help give advice and support
- Create more jobs/positions
- Job share, therefore helping themselves and others
- Babysitting at home
- Earning money whilst looking after their own children as well
- Generally sole parents are low-income earners
- Services are created or adapted to suit their needs – Medicare rebate
- Contribute to birth-rates
- Increasing and maintaining Australia’s population
- Increase demand for crèches
- Volunteer work
- Child’s school canteen or library
- Contribute to the workforce via such things as flexible work patterns
- Pay taxes, therefore supporting others
- Share personal experience with others to help give advice and support
- Create more jobs/positions
- Job share, therefore helping themselves and others
- Babysitting at home
- Earning money whilst looking after their own children as well
- Generally sole parents are low-income earners
- Services are created or adapted to suit their needs – Medicare rebate
- Contribute to birth-rates
- Increasing and maintaining Australia’s population
- Increase demand for crèches
- Volunteer work
- Child’s school canteen or library
Impact the contribution/example has had on their wellbeing (Increased Acceptance)
Emotional
Sole parents are better able to feel accepted in society and less discriminated against in general and so will be more open to going about their day without feeling like people are judging them for their family situation or for how they have ‘broken’ their family.
Economic
Due to the increased acceptance and awareness of sole parents and their needs, particularly in regards to work hours and child care, there are more flexible work patterns, such as working remotely, and crèches at workplaces, which allow sole parents to remain working and earning an income to support their family.
Social
Feeling accepted for how you live your life opens the sole parent up to being more outgoing and engaging in social events, with the knowledge that they can find a babysitter who is happy and content with helping out someone in need while they get out and socialise from time to time.
Emotional
Sole parents are better able to feel accepted in society and less discriminated against in general and so will be more open to going about their day without feeling like people are judging them for their family situation or for how they have ‘broken’ their family.
Economic
Due to the increased acceptance and awareness of sole parents and their needs, particularly in regards to work hours and child care, there are more flexible work patterns, such as working remotely, and crèches at workplaces, which allow sole parents to remain working and earning an income to support their family.
Social
Feeling accepted for how you live your life opens the sole parent up to being more outgoing and engaging in social events, with the knowledge that they can find a babysitter who is happy and content with helping out someone in need while they get out and socialise from time to time.
Advocacy (speaking up for the group’s needs and concerns)
Note:
Advocacy = (REP)
Raising awareness within the community (R)
Educating the community (E)
Promoting the rights of the group (P)
Advocacy = (REP)
Raising awareness within the community (R)
Educating the community (E)
Promoting the rights of the group (P)
Raising awareness within the community
ST VINNIES - WOMEN’S REFUGE
Outline how a community organisation advocates for sole parents by raising awareness within the community.
The St Vincent de Paul Sydney Women’s Refuge raises awareness for the service and the issue of domestic violence within the community through their fund raising initiatives and general PR activities. In this advocacy, there is inclusion of the result of this domestic violence being the women who come to the shelter with their children and are, as of that moment, sole parents because of the violence they experienced at home.
Describe the positive influence it can have on community attitudes
This advocacy has a positive influence on the community attitudes towards sole parents by demonstrating how much support they need and how so many single mothers are single as a result of severe domestic violence they had to flee their home from. This therefore heightens the need for them to be assisted in the community and allows for more services to become available to assist all sole parents, though sole mothers are more prevalent within this group.
Outline how a community organisation advocates for sole parents by raising awareness within the community.
The St Vincent de Paul Sydney Women’s Refuge raises awareness for the service and the issue of domestic violence within the community through their fund raising initiatives and general PR activities. In this advocacy, there is inclusion of the result of this domestic violence being the women who come to the shelter with their children and are, as of that moment, sole parents because of the violence they experienced at home.
Describe the positive influence it can have on community attitudes
This advocacy has a positive influence on the community attitudes towards sole parents by demonstrating how much support they need and how so many single mothers are single as a result of severe domestic violence they had to flee their home from. This therefore heightens the need for them to be assisted in the community and allows for more services to become available to assist all sole parents, though sole mothers are more prevalent within this group.
Educating the community
PARENTS WITHOUT PARTNERS
Outline how a community organisation advocates for sole parents by educating the community
‘Parents Without Partners’ advocate for sole parent by educating the community with providing educational activities which consist of group discussions, lectures by professionals and also sole parents themselves, study groups, training seminars, personal growth opportunities and the International Convention
Describe the positive influence it can have on community attitudes
This allows the community to see, from a sole parents’ perspective, how they manage their roles without a significant other and therefore demonstrates their need for services and support from both the community and from their family and friends, paving the way for new services and support networks to be formed
Outline how a community organisation advocates for sole parents by educating the community
‘Parents Without Partners’ advocate for sole parent by educating the community with providing educational activities which consist of group discussions, lectures by professionals and also sole parents themselves, study groups, training seminars, personal growth opportunities and the International Convention
Describe the positive influence it can have on community attitudes
This allows the community to see, from a sole parents’ perspective, how they manage their roles without a significant other and therefore demonstrates their need for services and support from both the community and from their family and friends, paving the way for new services and support networks to be formed
Promoting the rights of the group
PARENTS WITHOUT PARTNERS
Outline how a community organisation advocates for a sole parent by promoting the rights of sole parents
‘Parents Without Partners’ advocate for single parents in regards to promoting their rights with speaking at international conferences, workshops and national coalitions on behalf of all sole parents and their children, whilst also supporting legislative policies and priorities to further the interest of sole parent families.
Describe the positive influence it can have on community attitudes
The positive influence ‘Parents Without Partners’ have on community attitudes is that they increase the awareness for sole parents and their families in regards to their rights that they are and should be entitled to, therefore allowing other communities to shift their attitudes and see what sole parents may go through and see what the hard work they strive through in order to simply survive and provide for their family.
Outline how a community organisation advocates for a sole parent by promoting the rights of sole parents
‘Parents Without Partners’ advocate for single parents in regards to promoting their rights with speaking at international conferences, workshops and national coalitions on behalf of all sole parents and their children, whilst also supporting legislative policies and priorities to further the interest of sole parent families.
Describe the positive influence it can have on community attitudes
The positive influence ‘Parents Without Partners’ have on community attitudes is that they increase the awareness for sole parents and their families in regards to their rights that they are and should be entitled to, therefore allowing other communities to shift their attitudes and see what sole parents may go through and see what the hard work they strive through in order to simply survive and provide for their family.