Council on the Ageing Submission to Family Law Pathways Group

Submission to Family Law Pathways Group

COUNCIL ON THE AGEING (AUSTRALIA)

SUBMISSION TO FAMILY LAW
PATHWAYS ADVISORY GROUP

September 2000

1. Stronger and clearer pathways to early assistance are needed to ensure people facing relationship breakdown are directed to services most suitable to their needs. How can these pathways be provided?

The Council on the Ageing is interested in sustaining the relationship between grandparents and grandchildren. It is essential that grandparents can be included in the counselling process that takes place before a relationship breakdown. We are aware that a grandparent may provide the only source of a stable relationship in the case of a divorce. Children are particularly vulnerable and the grandparents may frequently offer the comfort and support these children require in addition to supporting the divorcing parties.

2. How can families facing relationship breakdown be helped to:

minimise conflict,

manage change more productively for themselves and their children; and

meet new family obligations and commitments?

Conflict can be minimized.

By good information services such as those provided by Councils on the Ageing through their Seniors Information (telephone) Services (SIS).

Through counselling and provision of a case manager or an advising person who can suggest suitable sources of action, living arrangements, etc.

New family obligations need to be clearly explained in addition to written information. For example, the need to pay maintenance, the need to prevent domestic violence and attempted physical abuse after separation.

3. How can:

a. targeting, coordination and accessibility of information; and

b. support for families during transition to and settling of new arrangements be improved?

a) As suggested above in (2). A case manager would be of great importance and would lead to better results in terms of coordination. Networks in government and voluntary services need to be recognized and strengthened where possible.

b) Support to families in transition will be needed in accommodation. The need for a pool of cheap rental housing is very important. In some cases, grandparents can offer this facility. A supportive pension may be required for the woman who needs retraining and everything should be done to improve her opportunities in the labour market.

4. How can service delivery be better coordinated between the range of relevant agencies and professionals (both public and private) involved in assisting families interacting with the system?

As above. Meetings such as the Carers Coalition in NSW provide an excellent forum for the exchange of information. In the case of non-government organizations, the need for funding to provide appropriate help and services should be recognized. The role of the voluntary sector needs greater recognition and some such organisations present excellent models of care.

5. Please provide/attach any information you may have, or examples of:

a. the range and nature of difficulties family members face when confronted with relationship breakdown

It is widely recognized that drugs, alcohol, and unemployment are causes of family breakdown. Hence, the importance of programs for drug rehabilitation, Alcoholics Anonymous and mature age retraining programs.

b. existing barriers, (including cultural and linguistic) to access to services and support

People of non-English speaking background (NESB) may have particular problems in accessing services and in obtaining employment. Ethnic support groups can specifically assist, as can free English language tuition classes.

c. customer service issues

In customer service, patience and tolerance on the part of the service provider are essential. Hence, staff with multiple language skills are also important in providing such services.

d. best practice that has been shown to make a positive difference in assisting families facing relationship breakdown

The information on the constructive role of grandparents shows that they can be essential to the continuing stability and survival of that family.

Do you have any additional comments to make or do you wish to provide further information?

COTA (ACT) in it's contribution to this submission has identified accommodation problems as a particular issue especially women, who are, or recently have been, separated.

Problems relate principally to access to suitable accommodation, to legal issues related to property and to access to suitable services for more mature people.

Relationship breakdown does not only occur to people with young children. Many relationships breakdown later in life, often around the time children leave home and around the time of retirement. Often in these cases the women involved have not had significant experience in finding accommodation or in managing finances. Similarly, many are not aware of the complexity of the system or where help and assistance might be found.

COTA ACT's Housing Options Adviser often ends up providing advice on a broader range of issues than accommodation. Information on property settlements, who to contact about legal issues, how to navigate social security and other systems etc.

It would seem to us that there is a desperate need for a service specifically directed to older people in regard to relationship breakdown.

Council on the Ageing is attempting to establish a National Grandparenting Association. The model has been trialed successfully in NSW and with a modest amount of funding could be developed and adopted in other States. Forums, support groups and newsletters are all part of the service provided to members. With adequate funding this could become a very significant and viable contribution to families in Australia.

As a consumer organization, COTA has some concern that the community, as consumers, is not included in the members of the Advisory Group. The legal profession is heavily involved but the community groups are not adequately recognized, in our opinion, at the present time. They add an important and different perception to that of lawyers and public servants. A consumer focus seems missing.

Prepared by
Sheila Rimmer AM
National President

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Council on the Ageing (Australia)
Level 2, 3 Bowen Crescent, Melbourne Vic 3004
Tel (03) 9820 2655 Fax (03) 9820 9886
email cota@cota.org.au