Demand for community services leapt by almost 20% between 2006‐07 and 2007‐08, according to the latest survey from the Australian Council of Social Services (ACOSS). The 2009 Australian Community Sector Survey drew on responses from more than 550 not‐for‐profit and community sector agencies from around Australia. The survey concentrated on groups’ activities during the 2007‐08 financial year, and showed they were under more pressure to help more people than ever before.

Overall, agencies who responded to the survey provided services to more than 3.1 million people in 2007‐08, an increase of 19% on the 2.63 million who had received a service from the same agencies in 2006‐07. Of the 3.1 million people who received support, about 40% were provided with "information, advice or referral" services – including telephone support services.

Just as marked was the increase in the number of people respondent agencies turned away – up 17% to 278,000 in 2007‐08. This meant more than 8% of people trying to access a service were turned away – a figure which grew to 33% for people trying to access a child welfare service and 25% for those trying to access either housing or youth services.

The most‐needed support services were in the areas of:

• Long‐term housing;
• Crisis and supported housing;
• Health services – including mental health and drug/alcohol services.

And, as would be expected, the difficulties people had in accessing these services most affected those who could least afford it. Low income groups, disadvantaged groups (including Indigenous populations) and the jobless were, on average, more likely to try and access these services.

In an indication that resources are more stretched than ever, the survey found that more organisations are more tightly targeting their services. Eighty‐four percent of respondents agreed that their group was targeting services more tightly than in the past. Eighty‐five percent of respondents disagreed with the statement that “Government funding covers the true cost of delivering contracted services”. Only eight percent felt funding was adequate. And respondents were evenly split on whether their funding adequately covered the costs of partnerships and collaborations stipulated in contracts with Government – 40.3% agreed and 40.5% disagreed that costs were covered.

Most worryingly, these results were indicative of the situation prior to the global financial crisis. ACOSS surmises that the situation may well have deteriorated further, with serious consequences for service delivery. “With organisations already reporting stretched resources and increasingly unmet demand for services, increased unemployment alone is likely to see organisations’ capacity to meet this demand significantly compromised,” the report says.

The full Australian Community Sector Survey can be downloaded here.

Courtesy of www.ourcommunity.com.au