Assessment 3: Case Study on Welfare System and Employment Benefits

This case study examines a scenario involving Dave, a 26-year-old individual reliant on unemployment benefits and resistant to full-time employment. The assignment analyzes the suitability of different welfare systems, focusing on a sustainable income support system designed to incentivize work participation and reduce dependence on unemployment benefits. The analysis includes identifying the target population, recognizing relevant ethical concerns, and exploring resources and services that can support individuals like Dave. The study suggests open communication, government support, and various benefits like health and education concessions to encourage employment. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of understanding the long-term implications of relying on unemployment benefits and the benefits of sustainable income for individuals and the economy. The reference list provides additional resources for further study on the topic.

Running Head: Assessment 3: Case Study Options
ASSESSMENT 3: CASE STUDY OPTIONS

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Assessment 3: Case Study Options
Table of Contents
Introduction................................................................................................................................3
Identification of relevant welfare system...................................................................................3
Recognizing support and resources for the target population....................................................5
Services those are suitable for the present scenario...................................................................6
Conclusion..................................................................................................................................7
Reference list..............................................................................................................................8

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Assessment 3: Case Study Options
Introduction
Welfare system is a tool of government, through which the economic and social well
being of people is promoted and protected. This system is based upon some principles, which
include equal opportunities, the responsibility of citizens regarding public matter and
distribution of wealth equally. The purpose of the welfare system is to provide support to
citizens who are unable to support themselves. This may be for different reasons like
unemployment, hardships or disability. In the chosen case, Dave is under the economic
welfare system and achieves support due to unemployment. However, he is reluctant to find a
job and wants to survive with the unemployment payments. Hence, he needs a welfare system
that can increase his participation in work and reduce reliance on the benefits provided due to
unemployment.
Identification of relevant welfare system
a. Understanding about the target population
Here, the unemployed and young people who belong to the age group of Dave can be
considered as the target group. From the chosen case scenario, it can be seen that Dave is 26
years old and he hates working throughout the year. This person has seen a difficult
childhood and he was forced to bear his expenses of his own from 14 years of age. He has
issues with authority and drugs. He dislikes full-time jobs and enjoys the unemployment
lifestyle. There must be more people with this kind of personality and they must get the
motivation to participate in work. These kinds of people are eligible for work. However, lack
of enthusiasm and laziness are preventing them from working hard. On the other hand, this
kind of person is misusing the social welfare of unemployment benefits1. It is important to
make them understand that this kind of welfare is not for spending life easily. It is a resource
that is being provided by the government to help unemployed people to find jobs. This target
group spent money on their addiction and harm themselves. In the given case study, it has
been mentioned that Dave used to take drugs. People like Dave needs to be provided with
another welfare that can help them to join simpler and sustainable jobs for earning money.
b. Suitable welfare system
1 J. Hamari, M. Sjöklint and A. Ukkonen , ‘The sharing economy: Why people participate in collaborative
consumption’, Journal of the association for information science and technology, vol. 67, no. 9, 2016, pp.
2047.

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Assessment 3: Case Study Options
The sustainable and simple income support system is appropriate for this scenario.
A proper functioning income support system targets and encourages people to work to their
capacity. The main focus of this welfare system is employment2. In the case study, it is
mentioned that Dave is happy with the unemployed lifestyle and happy with unemployment
benefits. Hence, this sustainable income support system can motivate people like Dave to
participate more in employment. This can help to reduce the expense of government and at
the same time productivity of the nation will also increase3. This system has an adequate
payment that is totally based on the need and this can motivate Dave and other people like
him to get prepared and search for work for meeting their own needs. This economic welfare
system features fair returns from work and increase of skills of individuals, which can
support families. This simple income support system can help people by increasing the skills
that can help them to gain employment. Hence, self-reliance on Dave can increase and thus
this can motivate him to participate in employment. It is a fact that mutual labor obligations
must be aligned with opportunities in the market. This support system reflects the
expectations of the community and motivates those people who can work. This can make
them more self-reliant and this, in turn, can help the country to become more productive. On
the other hand, different negative factors like unemployment, drug abuse can be controlled
through the help of this system.
c. Recognizing ethical concerns
While enlisting Dave under the proposed welfare of sustainable as well as a simple
income supporting system, ethical guidelines must be maintained. This person has faced lots
of pain in his life as he had a difficult childhood. On the other hand, he is supporting himself
from 14 years old. He needs to be requested to find simple jobs and he must be assured by the
government for the required support. He cannot be forced for employment and his dignity
must be respected. These kinds of people dislike talking about their personal life and this fact
must be assured. One of the pillars of this support system also includes engaging employers.
This is because the simple income support system is employment focused and business plays
a key role in fulfilling the objectives.
2 Unemployment benefits and the minimum wage [Website], 2019, https://www.ncoa.gov.au/report/appendix-
volume-1/9-11-unemployment-benefits-minimum-wage, (accessed 1st January 2020)
3 A New System for Better Employment and Social Outcomes [Website],
2014, https://www.dss.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/06_2014/
dss001_14_full_report_27_june_tagged.pdf (accessed 1st January 2020)

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Assessment 3: Case Study Options
Recognizing support and resources for the target population
Employment is the main support that Dave can achieve through this welfare system.
A simple income support system motivates people to achieve their aim through employment,
different obligations, incentives, and others. Through this support, Dave can achieve a decent
standard of living and his attitude toward authority can change. There are also many people
who do not want to remain dependent on this unemployment benefit scheme but they are not
getting any employment opportunities. Those people can also get supported through this
welfare system. On the other hand, complexity is another essential resource that can help
Dave to get access to the facilities and he can understand the system properly4. Previously,
the different social welfare system was complex and is not understandable for common
people. This system is less complex and can be easily understood by citizens. Many people
do not have a proper idea about the income support system and tax benefits. This hampers the
motivation and morale of people. Moreover, less complexity of this support system will
reduce the chance of inequalities. It was seen previously that many people receive different
levels of government support in similar circumstances. Thus, Dave can achieve similar
support from the government in terms of employment just like other people.
Adequacy is another essential support that can help Dave to receive adequate payment
for the work, which can help him to improve his standard of living. New payment
architecture is designed for ensuring people achieve payment that can meet their needs. If
payment is low and inadequate to support own and family needs, and then increased
participation in employment cannot be obtained successfully. Besides, housing assistance is
another essential resource that Dave can achieve, which can boost his motivation level to join
a job5. The shortage of housing supply is increasing rent and expense rate is getting high.
Hence, it is essential to provide housing assistance to the target group including Dave. This is
an essential resource, which can motivate Dave to increase participation in job search and
employment. On the other hand, he can be given rent on public housing. This can help Dave
to achieve shelter on government subsidy. Gradually, when income will increase then he can
purchase his own house.
4 P. O'Campo et al., ‘Social welfare matters: a realist review of when, how, and why unemployment insurance
impacts poverty and health’, Social Science & Medicine, vol. 132, no. 1, 2015, pp. 90.
5 K. Stam et al., ‘Employment status and subjective well-being: the role of the social norm to work’, Work,
employment and society, vol. 30, no. 2, 2016, pp.310.

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Assessment 3: Case Study Options
In addition to this, support will be given in the form of supplements. For example, the
general cost of living like telephone expenses and other utilities can be provided. This can
help Dave to meet daily needs to a greater extent. Education is another resource that will be
provided under this system, which can help to increase skills and thus participation can
increase in employment.
Services those are suitable for the present scenario
Certain services are there that can be considered as suitable for this scenario for
increasing participation of the target population at work. Firstly, open and clear
communication is required to understand the mental condition of the target population
including Dave. The reason for avoiding permanent jobs must be analyzed. This kind of
communication can help these people to share their issues with permanent jobs6. In the case
of Dave, it is clear that permanent jobs bound him in a schedule and he is tired of this kind of
job. For the last 3 years, he is doing casual part-time jobs and enjoying his unemployment.
Through effective communication, it is possible to make this kind of people understand the
importance of getting a secure job. On the other hand, they must be told about available ways
of sustainable income.
Secondly, Dave must be assured regarding all relevant support from the
government and society. For example, help for searching jobs; skill development training
and other supports can be given to this kind of person to help them to get a good job and a
good life. They must be asked to present their queries related to employment opportunities
for choosing the best place to appear in the selection process7. In the case of Dave, he is
eligible for jobs and he has full confidence in his abilities. However, he has become lazy to
join any permanent job. He must be told about suitable employment opportunities that can
help him to be the master of his life too. He needs such a job that can give him enough
freedom. Hence, this service can solve the issues of Dave that were preventing him from
working the whole year.
Thirdly, Dave must be assured about providing benefits for his future children.
For example, under the proposed social welfare, the government may provide funds to Dave
in the future for the education of his future children. This kind of assurance from the
6 P. England, Households, employment, and gender: A social, economic, and demographic view, UK,
Routledge, 2017, p. 10.
7 B.R. Cournoyer, The social work skills workbook, Boston, Cengage Learning, 2016, p. 25.

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Assessment 3: Case Study Options
government can influence Dave to think about building his own family8. He may wish to
marry and live for the happiness of his family. This aspect can make him more responsible in
life9. If he needs to support his family, it is obvious that he will require a fixed amount per
month. Due to this reason, he may wish to join a full-time job. He has faced a difficult
childhood. Therefore, he will definitely focus on working to secure the future of his future
children by considering this proposed social welfare. Hence, this service has the potential to
influence Dave to participate in full-time employment.
Fourthly, concession in health is another service that Dave can achieve through
this new welfare system. Different services of health can be offered at a subsidized rate.
This can help to motivate people who are reluctant to find a job at present10. A large amount
of income is generally expensed due to achieving health services. This offers and services can
boost the morale of Dave and he can find a job in spite of depending on government
unemployment benefits. Moreover, the increased skill of Dave and people like him can help
to improve the productivity of the country. Hence, through the help of this welfare system
government, community and country are getting benefited.
Conclusion
From the entire discussion of this study, it can be concluded that Dave needs to
understand that relying on the unemployment benefits cannot provide him a secure life. After
a certain age, he will be physically weak to work hard and at that moment he will require
enough money for surviving. This is the right time for this kind of person to think about
simpler and sustainable income. This study has proposed the social welfare of supporting
sustainable and simple income system and this aspect must be accepted by the society and the
target population. Hence, people who are similar to Dave will be able to participate freely in
work.
8 G.G. Smale, Integrating community and individual practice: A new paradigm for practice. In Reinventing
human services. UK, Routledge, 2017, p. 15.
9 D. Ezzy, Narrating unemployment, UK, Routledge, 2017, p. 12.
10 R. Kanfer, M. Frese and R.E. Johnson, ‘Motivation related to work: A century of progress’, Journal of
Applied Psychology, vol. 102, no. 3, 2017, p.338.

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Assessment 3: Case Study Options
Reference list
A New System for Better Employment and Social Outcomes [Website],
2014, https://www.dss.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/06_2014/
dss001_14_full_report_27_june_tagged.pdf (accessed 1st January 2020)
Cournoyer, B.R., The social work skills workbook, Boston, Cengage Learning, 2016.
England, P., Households, employment, and gender: A social, economic, and demographic
view, UK, Routledge, 2017.
Ezzy, D., Narrating unemployment, UK, Routledge, 2017.
Hamari, J., Sjöklint, M. and A. Ukkonen , ‘The sharing economy: Why people participate in
collaborative consumption’, Journal of the association for information science and
technology, vol. 67, no. 9, 2016, pp.2047-2059.
Kanfer, R., Frese, M. and R.E. Johnson, ‘Motivation related to work: A century of progress’,
Journal of Applied Psychology, vol. 102, no. 3, 2017, p.338.
O'Campo, P. et al., ‘Social welfare matters: a realist review of when, how, and why
unemployment insurance impacts poverty and health’, Social Science &
Medicine, vol. 132, no. 1, 2015, pp.88-94.
Smale, G.G., Integrating community and individual practice: A new paradigm for practice.
In Reinventing human services. UK, Routledge, 2017.
Stam, K. et al., ‘Employment status and subjective well-being: the role of the social norm to
work’, Work, employment and society, vol. 30, no. 2, 2016, pp.309-333.
Unemployment benefits and the minimum wage [Website], 2019,
https://www.ncoa.gov.au/report/appendix-volume-1/9-11-unemployment-benefits-
minimum-wage, (accessed 1st January 2020)