Social Policy Reports Documents

The Michael Project, 2007-2010: New perspectives and possibilities for homeless men - infographic

The Michael Project, 2007-2010: New perspectives and possibilities for homeless men

Seen and Heard: putting children on the homelessness agenda

This Mission Australia snapshot 2011 focuses on the specific needs of homeless children, identifying the number and profile of these young Australians, the reasons why they become homeless, the impact of homelessness on children, service providers’ current practices and families’ experience of the homeless service system. It draws on key findings from national and international research and an exploratory study conducted by a family homeless network.

Facilitating children’s transition to school from families with complex support needs (Part 1 of 2)

This report is a joint publication between Charles Sturt University, University of Western Sydney, Mission Australia and the NSW Department of Human Services – says transition to school programs and third parties acting as mediators between families and schools are among the keys to getting children from disadvantaged families off to a successful start in education.

Facilitating children’s transition to school from families with complex support needs (Part 2 of 2)

This report is a joint publication between Charles Sturt University, University of Western Sydney, Mission Australia and the NSW Department of Human Services – says transition to school programs and third parties acting as mediators between families and schools are among the keys to getting children from disadvantaged families off to a successful start in education.

How homeless men are faring: Some initial outcomes from the Michael Project

'The Michael Project' Snapshot Report - April 2011

The Michael Project is a three-year, private donor funded initiative working with homeless men in the Sydney region. It began operating in October 2007 with the objectives of:
• improving the health, wellbeing and social and economic participation of homeless men;
• improving their access to stable, secure and long term accommodation;
• articulating and developing a new model of support; and
• providing an evidence base for policy and program development in the delivery of homeless services.

This is the second snapshot examining the circumstances of participants in the Michael Project. It focuses specifically on how participants are faring after three months relative to their circumstances when they were initially engaged with the project.

Increasing our understanding of homeless men: The Michael Project

'The Michael Project' Snapshot Report - August 2010

In 2008, the Australian Government set out a national approach to reducing homelessness, with targets of halving homelessness and offering supported accommodation to all those sleeping rough who need it by 2020 (Commonwealth of Australia, 2008). Despite the scale of the issue and the targets set, there is much that is not yet known about people who are homeless. Filling in knowledge gaps in areas such as the length of time people may have been homeless, the prevalence of drug dependence and the extent of trauma experienced, will help ensure policies and practice are tailored appropriately and thus most likely to contribute to achieving the targets set.

This publication reports on findings from new research into a nationally significant service innovation, The Michael Project, and adds to the body of evidence policy makers and practitioners can draw on.

Youth Employment Stategy (YES) - 2010

Youth Prevention Strategy: Preventing a Lost Generation

Youth unemployment is rising. As Australia experiences the early signs of economic recovery, youth unemployment (15‐19 year olds) stands at 16.0 percent (ABS Labour Force Survey January 2010). This is nearly three times higher than the unemployment rate across the whole of the population.

The youth participation rate has also declined consistently over the past two years – 60 percent in January 2008 to a current rate of 56.6 percent. Some communities are particularly impacted by youth unemployment with areas such as the outer eastern parts of Melbourne, the western suburbs of Adelaide and the Central Coast of NSW having teenage unemployment rates of well over 30%.

The changing taste of welfare services - The evolution of Cafe One

This publication focuses on the role the provision of food to disadvantaged people has played in Mission Australia’s history in Queensland - a journey that began with the Brisbane City Mission and continues today through Café One in Wickham St, Fortitude Valley. Engaging with disadvantaged people over food is vital for reasons of food security and social inclusion. People on the fringes of society benefit from having both their nutritional and other needs addressed in a respectful and responsible way.