Social services, community and equality : a perspective on the provision and use of child care

Abstract

The Federal government in Australia has become increasingly involved since World War II, in the development of social policy initiatives through the provision of social services. By promoting social services, as distinct from measures designed to redistribute income, successive Federal administrations have sought to redress the problem of poverty which has become a prominent social and political issue in Australia since the late 1960's. The Federal Government, particularly under the Whitlam Labor Administration between 1972-75, adopted the premise that by improving the access of the poor to social services and promoting community participation in social service delivery, there would be greater participation in the decision making process and greater equality of opportunity in the Australian community. This study examines the effectiveness of this strategy through an analysis of Federal sponsorship of community child-care services. These services have an established history of community participation and have also been the focus of specific Federal policy initiatives designed to improve social and economic opportunity among those most in need. To assess the effectiveness of this strategy, a literature review of developments in the provision of Federally sponsored community-based child care services between 1972 and 1984 is presented. A household survey of child care use and need provides an opportunity to examine the actual impact of Federal child care programs on 330 families with pre-school aged children. A case study describing the emergence and development of a community association and its efforts to gain access to child care services is used to highlight a number of central issues surrounding the promotion of the notion of 'community' as a strategy for the delivery of services to families with special needs. Data presented in this research suggests that major problems exist for the proponents of social policy initiatives which focus on the promotion of community social service provisions. In the case of Federally sponsored child care programs, the services provided appear to have had little impact on promoting greater equality of opportunity among families with pre-school aged children. Show more