Social inclusion and social capital publications

Complex not simple: The vocational education and training pathway from welfare to work
The welfare-to-work policy aims to encourage certain welfare recipients to pursue pathways that lead to paid employment. This report explores the role that the vocational education and training (VET) system can play in assisting people move from welfare to work. The researchers examined the experiences of VET students from the relevant welfare groups and sought the views of other key stakeholders such as TAFE staff and Centrelink personnel. Conclusions include that VET can play a positive role but that there needs to be collaboration between VET and income support sectors to ensure that potential barriers are overcome. [further details]

Measuring Social Inclusion and Exclusion in Northern Adelaide: A Report for the Department of Health
Despite the substantial amount of research focusing on social inclusion and exclusion, both in Australia and internationally, there are considerable gaps in the literature that limit its utility for policy development purposes.these gaps are addressed by the `Measuring social inclusion and exclusion in Northern Adelaide' Project. This has involved the development of a model that provides a range of indicators of social inclusion and exclusion that enables the measurement of change over time and promotes an increased understanding of the influence of social capital on social inclusion and exclusion. The measures developed are designed to be of use to Government in its planning and implementation of social inclusion initiatives in Northern Adelaide, and more broadly, to inform social inclusion policy development, implementation and evaluation. [further details]

Upward Mobility and Social Capital: Building Advantage through Volunteering
Recent studies by Mayer (2003) and Ironmonger (2002) have drawn attention to the social and economic value of social capital accrued from taking part in voluntary activities. This study examines the utilitarian value of social capital accrued from volunteering and membership of civic organisations. It examines data on income and employment from the Northern Adelaide Social Inclusion Survey 2005, a survey of 1999 residents of Gawler, Playford and Salisbury in South Australia. [further details]

Families At Risk: The Effects Of Chronic And Multiple Disadvantage
The Families at Risk study has produced local evidence drawing attention to the strengths and challenges for parents living in situations of chronic and multiple disadvantage with children aged 0 - 7 years. Life for the majority of these parents and youg children is under-resourced, stressful and isolated and interventions are required that open up pathways out of disadvantaged life situations. [further details]

Labor and social capital: disengaging from social justice
This paper was written shortly before the 2004 Federal election. It addresses the then Leader of the Opposition, Mark Latham's conception of social capital in the context of the Labor Party's traditional commitment to social justice. The authors review the history and usages of the term social capital as a prelude to an examination of Mark Latham's writings and public statements on this topic. [further details]

Inequality in South Australia: Key Determinants of Wellbeing
The social and economic environment is a major determinant of population wellbeing in South Australia. The purpose of this report is to deepen our understanding of the impact that social, physical and economic factors have on health and wellbeing, and to describe the distribution of some of these factors across the South Australian population. The report can be downloaded at http://www.publichealth.gov.au/ [further details]

"Alive and Motivated": Young People, Participation and Local Government
The purpose of this research was to develop a deeper understanding of the role and impact of local government on young people, and how it may strengthen their inclusion in the communities in which they live. The research sought to provide a comprehensive review of the range and effectiveness of service delivery models designed for or accessed by young people in diverse parts of Australia. case Studies from South Australia ave been adopted. [further details]

Living and Learning: A Profile of Young People, Employment, Education and Training in Northern Adelaide
This report provides a regional profile of the education, training and employment experiences of young people in Northern Adelaide. [further details]