Community services and participatory action of communities to resolve their problems have been the modus operandi of society (Fine & Davidson, 2020). This is defined as a process where a group of individuals conduct community services through formal or informal consultation to improve the quality of life for community members to deliver social care (Daly & Lewis, 2018). The community sector in Australia contributes significantly to the country's growth and is thus of prime importance. This sector has a distinctive role in delivering a wide range of public services that help alleviate poverty, improve health care, and address social issues in the country (Addis, 2018). This essay will discuss the historical development of community services in Australia and also outline the roles of government and non-governmental community services in the country. A summary of the roles and participation of the governmental and non-governmental sectors of community service in Australia will also be presented.
The Australian Council of Social Services, which worked for the mitigation of inequality and poverty in the county, was established in the year 1956. In the year 1946, a draft constitution of the Australian Association of Social Workers was adopted (ACOSS, n.d.). The primary developments were associated with work related to healthcare and well-being, spiritual wellness, and community building. Prior to the creation of the community-based approach to social work, Australia's healthcare system was based on a medical paradigm (Silva et al., 2020). People's limits are often the focus of the medical paradigm of disability. It posits that a person's quality of life is lowered by impairment, which may be remedied with biomedical treatments (Vrklevski, et al., 2017). The way persons with disabilities or mental disorders are viewed in society is influenced by their concept of disability and sickness, and this gave rise to the development of social work in the field of mental health (Reamer, 2020). There were significant improvements in the field of assisting individuals in need throughout the late 1950s and 1960s. The impoverished, the jobless, children in need, the elderly, the disabled, substance abusers, and others began to be identified as populations in need of social and rehabilitative assistance. In its current dispensation, it will be fair to say that human services are a relatively recent field of study and profession in Australia (Hadley & McGrath, 2021). Despite the welfare state's limiting policies and structures, human services have evolved in cultural congruence with historic Australian ideas of a 'fair go,' social equality, and social egalitarianism. Over the last two decades, mental health advocacy and self-help organizations for families have grown to be a powerful force on the global stage, along with social services that were focused on economic well-being. They are regarded as a reliable source of information in most nations about the needs, problems, and practical challenges that families, carers, and consumers face. Family groups have emerged as an important sector in many nations for engaging with the government and generating answers to mental health issues. Currently, Australia provides a range of community services that include family organizations, several multicultural organizations, healthcare and mental well-being support, rehabilitation, elderly, assistance with employment and poverty, among other works (Hadley & McGrath, 2021).
Social work and community action demand a participatory approach and are associated with the collaboration of governmental as well as non-governmental workforces (Ramsden et al., 2021). The government of Australia identified twelve different types of bodies that can be registered. These can include Australian government entities, secondary government entities, and other entities that can work as a body and work with the communities (Ponnuswam & Francis, 2021). The non-government organizations are essential as they assist the most vulnerable and needy people of our community, and they contribute significantly to the quality of life and social fabric that many take for granted. These organizations promote active engagement in society and bring people together to work toward a common objective of improving our community (Payne, 2020). Non-governmental organizations are usually more rooted and connected to the local networks. This helps better reach the communities and promotes the enhanced application of government policies. Non-governmental organizations also play a pivotal role in driving systematic changes by generating awareness and driving a change for an action. For example, the policies against climate action and policies for the welfare of the Indigenous people of the country have been driven by the constant efforts of non-governmental organizations in the country. For example, the non-governmental organization: Act On Climate is an NGO that works toward climate action (ACT, n.d.). The second example of a non-governmental organization in the country is Tearfund, which works to fight poverty in the population (Tearfund, 2022). Government organizations are directly associated with policymaking and implementation. Policymakers are accustomed to concentrating their attention on individual needs. If a policy has a chance of being implemented successfully, this informal support must be crucial to its contribution and delivery. The delivery of public services is frequently viewed as a collaborative effort between the public and private sectors. In Australia, on the other hand, community organizations have shown to be effective in delivering aid and services to the most vulnerable sections of society (Ponnuswam & Francis, 2021). An example of a government organization is The Indigenous Australians Agency, which works to improve the well-being of the Aboriginal and the Torres Strait and Islander population of the country (National Indigenous Australians Agency, n.d.). Another example of a governmental organization is the climate change authority that works toward climate change mitigation (Australian Government: Climate Change Authority, n.d.).
Both governmental and non-governmental organizations work towards a common sense of welfare in the community. However, there is a stark difference in the operations and the fundamental approach toward the work. The government organizations work in affiliation with the state, whereas the non-governmental organizations work as autonomous entities (Keen, 2020). In the space of community services, the non-governmental organizations have a more direct reach to the masses and can thus drive better connectivity for unionization of people, education of the community, and providing services. The non-governmental organizations provide support to families, young people and children. These organizations also work for the cause of homelessness and provide advocacy. The NGOs in Australia also work for people with disability, mental health complications and the development of an inclusive society (Government of Australia, 2022). The government organizations work towards both formal and informal sectors of the society and community well-being and focus on healthcare, education, and social aid in addition to the roles that are additionally taken up by the non-governmental organizations (Ponnuswam & Francis, 2021).
The foundation of society historically has been based on the provision of community services and community participation; organizations that offer community services in a formal or informal manner with the objective of improving the quality of life for community members are recognized as a community and social workers and have a pivotal role in society building. Australia's community sector is crucial since it makes a considerable growth contribution to the nation. This industry plays a unique part in the provision of a wide range of public services that aid in reducing poverty, enhancing healthcare, and addressing social issues in the nation. In addition to outlining the functions of governmental and non-governmental community services in Australia, this essay provides a brief analysis of the historical development of community services in the country. A comparative account of the governmental and non-governmental organizations is also summarized in this essay. Through this essay, it can be concluded that community and social services have been integral to the community development of Australia. They have also further evolved in their roles and duties as well as their participation with people. Hence, a collaborative effort of governmental and non-governmental organizations is needed along with effective participation of communities to drive a social change and ensure beneficence of the community.
References
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