[Sub ID 4644] Flexible Access to Work Pathway (SYC Ltd)

Submission ID: 4644
Organisation name: SYC Ltd
Contact name: Ms Sandy McAllister
State: SA
Contact email: smcallister@syc.net.au
Contact number: 0884058500

Which priority group of the Try, Test and Learn Fund does your idea support?
Young parents

What need or issue are you trying to address?
The cost of services that enable young parents to prepare for work while ensuring suitable care for their children is high. This cost is a substantial disincentive to young parents to actively commence on an employment pathway until their youngest child is at school or later – if ever.

Research indicates, and SYC’s own experience shows that having a baby at a young age can disrupt education and increase barriers to finding/keeping a job. This leads to poorer life outcomes for young parents and their children. (Teenage Pregnancy and Female Educational Underachievement 2000; DSS data)

Lack of experience gained prior to having children, availability of family support and child care, lack of local employment opportunities and reliance on public transport are principal reasons for young parents remaining on income support benefits.

Young parents highlighted to SYC the cost of child care and getting a drivers licence as primary barriers to working. They were also concerned they would be worse off financially by working. The need to ‘make work pay’ is recognised in taxation approaches and studies in the UK and US to create positive conditions for work participation (Families and work: Revisiting barriers to employment 2011; New Hope, 1999 and 2008).

What is your idea?
Flexible Access to a Work Pathway (FAWP)

Over 12 months young parents are supported to pursue defined working/learning/volunteering outcomes determined by their proximity to the labour market (a) <12mths from working or (b) >12mths from working.

Participants receive a funding package to access a Support Services Menu (defined by support type and number of children) to undertake an activity/ies selected from a Development Menu and aligned to their employment goals.

Program Entry

– Strengths-based work readiness needs assessment
– Flexible Work Pathway Plan – including personal employment goals and actions that inform supports selection to meet family and personal needs to enable participation in development activities
– Session to understand entitlements/available supports (ie existing Centrelink supports plus program supports) when working or studying

Development Menu

– Employment – pursuing work, work readiness workshop, work experience, volunteering to develop skills for work
– Education/training – VET, short courses, digital literacy, SACE completion

Support Services Menu
– Childcare, before/after school care/vacation care
– Initial work costs eg clothing
– Managing the household budget
– Organising to start work/study
– Support to get a driver’s licence
– Study costs eg books, resources.