ISBN: 0980805430 9780980805437

Category: Family & Relationships / Parenting / General

Page count: 8

Since 2006 Anglicare Victoria has conducted an annual hardship survey to monitor trends in material deprivation among clients of its core social services. This paper highlights findings from the 2011 survey, which was completed by 65 people accessing emergency relief services. It includes information on the proportion of emergency relief clients unable to afford things that no-one in Australia should have to go without, the proportion of parents unable to afford necessities for their children, spending choices and budgeting, and clients thoughts about the benefits of income management for their families. Based on these findings, the paper concludes with three recommendations for government policy and financial counselling services.