Service Philosophy
THEBA Young Women’s Service operates from a feminist perspective that views housing within a social context.
It is our belief that housing is an essential right of any member of society. Resources are directed towards enabling young Women to gain access to secure, affordable and sustainable independent housing. This involves a proactive approach towards developing community and government awareness of their responsibilities towards young people.
THEBA has a commitment to Access and Equity, the inclusion of all young Women who need the service and to the acceptance and promotion of diversity.
This view recognises that:
- Opportunities for housing are determined by a broad range of social,
environmental, economic and biological factors;
- differences in housing opportunities are linked to gender, age, socio-economic
status, ethnicity, disability, location and environment, racism, sex-role
stereotyping, gender inequality, discrimination, ageism, sexuality and
sexual preference;
- information, consultation, advocacy and community development are
important elements of the supported accommodation process and addressing
the social issue of housing.
Principles for service delivery
The guiding principles for service delivery are that:
- Service will encourage clients to act on their own behalf and develop
skills towards achieving self-reliance.
- The client’s rights and dignity are upheld.
- Service provision will be client focused
- The services will be provided with flexibility, sensitivity and professionalism.
- Service delivery will be needs based and culturally and developmentally
sensitive.
- Confidentiality and privacy will be respected and upheld.
- Consideration must be given to the duty of care including safety
for the client, other clients and workers.
- Equal value will be placed on the various forms of service delivery.
In accordance with these principles, THEBA Young Women’s Service aims to provide a service which:
- Reflects and responds to young Women’s various roles in Australian
society
- Promotes the participation of young Women in debate and decision
making about issues affecting them, housing policy, service delivery,
planning and evaluation;
- Recognizes young Women’s rights to be treated with dignity,
in an environment, which provides for privacy, informed consent, confidentiality
and safety;
- Acknowledges that informed decisions about support and accommodation
require accessible information, which is appropriately targeted;
- Uses existing data, research and policy concerning young Women’s
lives, as well as incorporating young Women’s views about their
own lives and the best strategies to address their needs, in service
planning and development;
- Provides appropriate resources to young Women in a coordinated approach
with the service;
- Ensures equity and accessibility of services without financial, cultural,
geographic or other barriers;
- Ensures effective community management and operation of the service
by Women;
- Provides a broad range of service provision and projects that empower
young Women, which are provided by Women for Women;
- Value young Women’s knowledge and experience;
- Facilitate the sharing of young Women’s skills, knowledge and
experience;
- Link young Women’s individual experience and support needs
to the social and cultural context of young Women’s lives;
- Challenge gender discrimination which affects well being opportunities
and equity to access services
- Increase the accessibility, sensitivity and acceptability of the right to safe, affordable and appropriate housing for young Women
The SAAP IV Framework 2002 informs these principles