Social services

This activity is best explained by some general examples of the activities a charity may undertake within this category. The examples are not an exhaustive list. They are presented as a guide. A charity’s experience or interpretation of the category may be different. See Charity Activities.

Social services

Child welfare, child services and day care – Includes adoption services, child development centres, foster care, infant day care centres and nurseries.

Example: an organisation provides day care services for children.

Youth services and youth welfare – Includes delinquency prevention services, teen pregnancy prevention, drop-out prevention, youth centres and clubs and job programs for youth.

Example: a youth centre provides a range of services for young people in their local area including counselling, homework help, and school holiday programs.

Family services – Includes family life/parent education, single parent agencies and services and family violence shelters and services.

Example: an organisation provides a support group for single parents to assist them with parenting alone.

Services for people with a disability – Includes homes, other than nursing homes, transport facilities, recreation, and other specialised services.

Example: an organisation provides a range of transport options for people with disabilities and their carers.

Services for the elderly – Organisations providing geriatric care; includes in-home services, homemaker services, transport facilities, recreation, meal programs and other services geared towards senior citizens.

Example: an organisation runs a food delivery service to provide meals to people with a disability and to elderly people who can no longer cook for themselves.

Self-help and other personal social welfare services – Programs and services for self-help and personal development; includes support groups, personal counselling and credit counselling/money management services.

Example: an organisation provides financial literacy training to people experiencing financial need that have had problems with servicing consumer credit debt.

Supporting disadvantaged Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians – Includes advancing economic opportunities in remote communities, and reducing general disadvantage experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians.

Example: an organisation provides assistance to a remote Aboriginal community so that they are able to access electricity and clean drinking water.

Promoting greater understanding and respect between groups of individuals within Australia – Includes cultural exchange groups, cultural awareness groups, groups organised to eliminate discrimination, promoting conflict resolution, promoting equality and diversity. Example: an organisation promotes gender equality and respect for all people, regardless of their gender.