Social policy publications

Signals of the Future: An Issues Paper Social Development Framework
This Discussion Paper addresses the second element of the Social Development Framework project. http://www.npsp.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=1807 [further details]

Social Development Framework
The City of NPSP commissioned the Australian Institute for Social Research (AISR), at the University of Adelaide to undertake the research and preparatory work for the Framework, and worked with them to consult with staff and elected members about its content. [further details]

Key Directions in Social Policy: A Discussion Paper Social Development Framework
In what is considered to be a first of its kind in South Australia, a Social Development Framework was developed by the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters with guidance from the University of Adelaide. The framework assists the Council to strategically address social issues it may face over the next 10 years and has been identified as a major planning priority for the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters and has underpinned development of the CityPlan 2030 Shaping Our Future which sets the direction for the next twenty years and beyond. http://www.npsp.sa.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=1807 [further details]

Equity Works: Achieving the Target of 2% Aboriginal Employment in the South Australian Public Sector (Final Report to the Don Dunstan Foundation)
Since 2003 there has been significant effort by the South Australian government to enhance Aboriginal peoples' employment outcomes in the public sector. Objective 6 of the South Australian Strategic Plan has an accompanying target to increase the employment of Aboriginal employees in the public sector from 1.2% to 2% by 2009. The Don Dunstan Foundation (DDF) allocated funding for a project to identify the factors which are assisting and the factors which are impeding progress towards the achievement of the 2% Target. To download report go to http://www.dunstan.org.au/ [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]

A spatially sensitive approach to understanding the impact of public expenditure on social exclusion
Social welfare performance indicators do not consider the equity implications of gross and net public expenditure. That is,governments may spend money in a given area to achieve social outcomes but also tax the same community in ways which moderate the effectiveness of social programs. This paper reports on a project that aims to deploy geographical information systems (GIS) to investigate these processes. The equity implications of gross and net public expenditure are considered in a discussion of the development of a process to map the impact of public expenditure on social exclusion. [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]

National Youth Survey 2006: The Main Concerns Of Young Australians
This report includes an Executive summary, as well as summaries at the national level, and each state and territory. There is also a section which compares responses from Indigenous and non Indigenous young people. Responses are also broken down by gender and age groups and where possible, comparisons are made with responses from the earlier surveys. [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]

An Evaluation Of The Energy Efficiency Program For Low Income Households
This report outlines the results of an evaluation of the South Australian Government's Energy Efficiency Program for Low Income Households. The program was established by the South Australian State Cabinet in June 2003, in partnership with community based welfare organisations and is administered by Energy Division within the Department for Transport, Energy and infrastructure. [further details]

A Social Health Atlas Of South Australia [Third Edition]
A Social Health Atlas of South Australia is an important resource available to policy makers, planners, service providers and community members working towards the future health and wellbeing of South Australians. In particular, it will assist in achieving improvements in healthy life expectancy for all South Australians and a reduction of inequalities in health, which are both important aims of South Australia's Strategic Plan and the Department of Health's Strategic Directions. Available at http://www.publichealth.gov.au [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]

Australia's Most Recent Immigrants
Graeme Hugo provides a comprehensive analysis of who Australia's recent immigrants are, including how they have adjusted to Australian conditions, and their impact on the labour market. [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]