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5 comments on Try, Test and Learn Fund – Discuss – Topic 2

1. 
   dwells@mcm.org.au 8 February 2017 at 8:55 am

   Free day care, in a quality setting.

2. 
   SGarwood 9 February 2017 at 2:14 pm

   Anglicare WA undertook a brief human centred design process to better understand the experiences of young parents and employment. The following insights emerged from that process:
   1- Young parents who are successful in obtaining employment do so for one (or more) of the following reasons:
   a. Freedom – employment enables the ability to do something outside of the home, away from the child
   b. Control – income allows the ability to have greater control over one’s life.
   c. Connection – young parents are very socially isolated and the workplace can be a place of social connection.
   d. Identity – young parents see their future self as ‘someone who has a job’
   e. Being a role model – it’s important for my child to see me working
   2- Young parents are FIERCELY independent – schemes that try to curtail that independence will fail (eg mutual obligation style programs, or programs perceived as “telling me what to do”).
   3- Flexibility of systems is a challenge for young parents – need to source both flexible child care and flexible employment options
   4- Traditional education is not a desirable option for many young parents (yet) – some young parents had negative experiences with education and were not motivated for education before pregnancy.
   5- Identity (for better or worse)
   a. Young parents who are successful in employment always saw themselves working, had early teenage experiences of employment (ie 14-15).
   b. Young parents strongly value their identity as a parent. Many were not on a secure pathway prior to pregnancy, so parenting has become a positive pathway and identity.
   6- Timing – when baby is about 6 months it is a good time for exploring work or education (as there is some respite needed from parenting which work can provide). After 12 months of age, there may be further social and emotional barriers and motivation diminishes.
   7- Complexity – it can’t be ignored that some young parents have complex barriers to employment such as family and domestic violence, mental health issues, etc.

   1. 
      Jane 23 February 2017 at 12:33 pm

      Your insight here, is invaluable. The system needs to be flexible enough to reward young parents for gradually increasing their workloads (a logical expectation) – without financial penalty i.e. changing the working credits system which is actually a great disincentive to work more once someone hits a certain income tipping point. I believe, also, it probably takes someone at least two years of full employment to recover financially from being on a welfare payment. Perhaps, a continuation of a Health Care Card for this period would also be beneficial.

3. 
   ReneeD 15 February 2017 at 2:19 pm

   Flexible child care arrangements such as after business hours long day care services for night shift workers, and long day care centres open on weekends.
   Protection of casual weekend work rates so that people can afford to work.
   Flexible workplaces and employment opportunities that accommodate school hours or on-site child care

4. 
   Denise Luker 24 February 2017 at 4:27 pm

   The ability to do Work Experience in the first instance. Only problem being, Insurance or lack there of. If a young person is no longer at school then a lot of employer will not take them on for Work Experience. This is a clear problem. Who will insure these young people and allow them time to ‘try before they buy’ in a work place. (goes both ways for the employer too)
   My lad has had this issue recently. He’s trying to finish a course that he started in high school – covered then but not now and still needs a week of Work Placement. I believe any strategies to support young people in this category should be fully supported by this Govt initiative.