Transcript: Social Policy Officer FAQs
What is social policy?
Social policy refers to guidelines and practices that address social issues in areas such as education, housing, poverty, healthcare, and employment. These policies are adopted by governments to improve the welfare of members of the community, with equity and social justice in mind.
What is leave loading?
If an employer offers leave loading, it means you will get an extra 17.5% on top of your normal holiday pay. It’s intended to help you pay for extra expenses while on leave.
What are some examples of ‘external stakeholders’?
An external stakeholder is a person, business, or group who has an interest in what you are working on but is not involved in the day-to-day operations of the project. They are usually people who will be affected by the project or benefit from its success and their input and assistance could be very useful. In this role, some examples of external stakeholders could be other government agencies, social service organisations, charities and advocacy groups, and research institutions.
What are some examples of ‘integrated responses to community needs’?
Local government can’t do everything alone. Luckily, many not-for-profit groups are happy to partner with government to support the needs of community members. In some communities, drug and alcohol counsellors from a local agency might go to public schools and meet with students in need during the school day. Immigrant and refugee support organisations might work with public libraries to provide language classes or practice interviews for job-seekers. These partnerships extend the reach of local government to better meet community needs.
What makes a policy or strategy ‘evidence-based’?
There are lots of different ways that social issues can be addressed. In many fields, especially where funding is limited, it is important to implement policies that have been shown to work, or which will likely work based on the circumstances. Solutions that are evidence-based have been developed by looking at prior research and data, or previous outcomes to similar situations, and can be defended using this evidence rather than assumptions or anecdotal information.
What is a Working with Children Check?
If you are interested in work that involves interacting with children and young adults, you will need to obtain a Working with Children Check (WWCC). This screening program uses information from police and background checks to make sure you are a suitable candidate for working with minors. Each state and territory in Australia runs their own WWCC program, so even if you have a valid WWCC, you will need to undergo a new screening if you move to a different state. The WWCC is valid for a limited time and must be renewed. There are also different registration categories for paid and voluntary work. You can learn more by visiting the WWCC website for your state or territory.
