Understanding Australian Youth: Needs and Diversity

Youth - Mandatory Group

• The age range for this group is 12-24, spanning adolescence to young adulthood
• Approximately 31.5% of Australia's youth reside in NSW
• Those aged 12-24 account for a quarter of Australia's total homeless population

Diversity within the Group

• Moving out of home and being employed either part-time or full-time
• Saving for a house and attending college, university, TAFE, or school

Terminology

• Positive terms used to describe the group include: adolescent, young lady, and young man
• Negative terms used include: rebellious, emo, and goth

Satisfying Needs (SHESEAS)

• It's vital for youth to foster a sense of identity, influencing their perception of belonging

• A positive self-identity correlates with positive self-esteem

• Health is dynamic and subject to change throughout life, making it a significant need for youth

• The ages of 15-24 involve many changes

• Youth need health knowledge/skills to deal with related issues, to continue healthy habits into adulthood

• Education must be authentic, meaningful, and relevant for youth

• Examples of social activities include sports, musical interests like playing an instrument/singing, and family influences

• Maintaining physical health involves nutrition and exercise

• Mental and Sexual health (STDs) are important

• Education includes TAFE (nursing/beauty), tertiary qualifications and on-the-job customer service, and people skills

• It's important to ensure that youth feel safe/secure in all life aspects, to help them reach their full potential

• Physical, emotional, social, and financial security are key

Maslow's Hierarchy

• Physiological and Safety

• Youth may receive informal employment opportunities through volunteering, sports coaching, and work experience

• Standard of living is determined by shelter, clothing, and food

• Shelter provided by parents/carers

• Clothing fosters self-esteem

• Food fulfills nutrition and energy needs

FATLEECH - Services for Youth (aged 15-24)

• Healthcare and counseling include sexual health, drug/alcohol, and eating disorder services

• Counseling services provided by Beyondblue, Headspace, and Kids Helpline

• Education and employment include secondary school, TAFE, university, and careers advisors

• Employment services include careers advisors, Job Services Australia, and Mission Australia

• Transport, Accommodation + Housing include concession discounts on public transport

• Community transport buses facilitate travel to bigger cities

• Financial support includes ABSTUDY for ATSI youth, covering transport/accommodation costs

• Youth Allowance varies based on eligibility criteria

• Newstart Allowance is available for those aged 22+ who are looking for work

Legal services

• Legal Aid Youth Hotline (under 18) and the internet (information source)

Factors Affecting Access to Services (LCD AGES)

• First language spoken and can hinder youth from accessing services, like doctor visits

• Culture limits young women's access to education, as it is believed women should remain uneducated

• Disability can cause youth to avoid certain services, due to fear of discrimination

• Age determines available services

• Gender identity: males are less likely to discuss issues or seek assistance

• Education: Basic knowledge is often required for entry-level jobs

• Lower socioeconomic status (SES), and services that cost money can be a significant barrier

• Knowing where to go and gaining knowledge assists youth,

• Having the money for access

Aspects of the Service to consider

• Energy: finding the time, and support from other people

• Time: Using time effectively

• Confidentiality is essential for mental health support

  • Youth need to trust that their information will remain private

• Extended or 24-hour opening hours assist youth who attend school, university, or work

• Location: the internet (online) is a great source

• Supportive, welcoming, and culturally diverse staff help ensure youth feel comfortable accessing a service

Aged - CAT B Group

• 17.1% of Australians were aged 65 years and over (an increase from 15.9% in 2018)
• 13.3% of females were aged 65-79 years, compared with 12.5% of males
• 1 in 6 Australians are aged 65 and over

Individual Diversity

• Transitioning from full-time to part-time work or retirement
• Engaging in voluntary work
• Maintaining good health into older age

Terminology

• Positive terms: older people/adults, older populations, people over the age of XX
• Negative terms: old fool, losing their marbles, grumpy old men

Satisfaction of Needs: SHESEAS

• Maintaining good health and experiencing changes
• Requiring extra help for day-to-day tasks

Health

• Influential to deterioration, decreased mobility and loss of energy: less time spent on nutrition
• Increased health costs

Education

• Education to gain awareness on meeting health needs, and emotional/social wellbeing
• Important to learn basic technology, to enable online banking, emailing and talking to family
• Important to know basic education on services, and health needs that are available

Sense of Identity

• Vulnerability is a major concern

• Important to reduce the risk of slips, falls, predators, or opportunists

• Functioning senses decrease, the body is less likely to register potential trip

• Modifications will need to be made in their homes

• Increased risks of fraud and violence

• Employment is limited when people are moving into retirement

Standard of Living

• Reduced ability to provide leading to a need to downsize, or move into the city to make access to services easier due to health or access reasons

• Problems can occur when their safety is impacted/ diminished sense of self, decreased nutrition, being unable to manage health needs e.g. diabetes, impact their productivity and brain involvement

LCD AGES

• First language spoken: difficult for migrated individuals to access jobs that are able to support themselves

• For aged, accessing Centerlink pension payments allows them to meet their daily needs.

• For war widows, mainly female, they can receive a war widows pension to support them after their partner dies, allowing them to continue to support themselves without feeling financial pressure or stress.

• If not receiving adequate superannuation, they are able to access government housing to support them through retirement.

• For aged individuals who have mobility disabilities, they can use their medicare to access health clinics for free medical services related to their needs.

• Government interpreter to support them in understanding their requirements

• They are able to have a better understanding of the English

Aspects of service

• Having knowledge of their emergency contacts and doctors, Knowing what services they need to access for certain issues, they may be entitled to seniors that are unaware of benefits or support services

Health care

• Some seniors may feel uncomfortable sharing personal health information due to cultural or generational norms, or concerns about privacy.
• Transport services, including public transportation -> are critical.
• People living with disability
  • 5.5 million Australians with a disability, 17.7% % of the population in 2022
  • Similar for both genders

Characteristics of personal factors

• Physical, intellectual and psychological, sensory
• Safety and security, essential for feeling protected and confident including physical disabilitys.
• Examples Include access to quality health care and equipment

First language spoken

• Has limited communication and may not know where to seek support

• Can affect access

• The quality of service often depends on the availability of well-trained staff and their experience

Government Policy

• superannuation - 10% to combat reliance on government payments

Organisations that support the group:

• Meals on Wheels - provides community meals and wellbeing checks. - Supports the aged by ensuring that they have support and means to eat, which increases their safety

Discrimination

• can be overlooked for promotions or demoted due to new aged.

Support through groups can assist

• Brainwave Bikes advocates for families of children with brain injuries by fundraising through the refurbishment and sale of old bikes.
• Improves conditions for aged with disabilities
• Improves access to support

Cerebral Palsy Group

• How it advocates for the group:
  • The Cerebral Palsy Group advocates for individuals with cerebral palsy (CP) by lobbying for policy changes, offering resources, and raising awareness through events.
  • The organization works to promote inclusion in education and the workforce, helping to remove barriers that individuals with CP face in these areas. - Through educating the public and challenging misconceptions, the group plays a vital role in shifting societal perceptions of CP and advocating for greater inclusivity and equality. Events and advocacy efforts also foster empathy and understanding, promoting social acceptance and reducing discrimination.