UNDERSTAND AND DESCRIBE THE ISSUE

The Frameworks for Australian Social Statistics can be used to holistically understand, identify and describe key social issues by providing a structured way to consider the full impact on individuals, families, communities, population groups and broader society. This is the first of three sections describing how the Frameworks for Australian Social Statistics can be used in informing actions and policy:

• Understand and describe the issue (this section)
• Formulate actions to support wellbeing
• Monitor and evaluate the action

Understanding the full impact of an issue on future outcomes is important to communities and government for long term planning and design of appropriate policies and programs. It is important to consider the issue from different perspectives in relation to the broader social, economic, governance, technological and environmental contexts to fully understand how different groups of people can be affected.

The following elements of the frameworks should be used to understand and describe the issue to ensure the analysis is relevant to:

• Our wellbeing (State)
• Our changing world (Pressures)
• Social statistics themes
• Population groups

The following key steps should be considered when identifying and understanding an issue:

• Identify the issue
• Scope out the issue
• Identify linkages, relationships, pressures and drivers
• Determine the related information needs
• Identify key population groups

IDENTIFY THE ISSUE

Issues of interest can emerge from various avenues such as reaction to events, research, monitoring of trends and patterns in statistical data, evaluation, media, lobbyists, community groups, interest groups and policy change. An analysis of the current situation along with historical and emerging trends can help to identify current and potential impacts on particular groups of people and on social wellbeing more generally.

Example

Declining youth full-time employment
A decline in full-time employment of young people aged 18-24 has been observed through analysis of the employment rate data over time.

SCOPE OUT THE ISSUE

It is important to consider the ways the issue will affect the wellbeing of people, families and their communities. The elements of our wellbeing (State) can be used to prompt deeper thinking about the issue, which will provide a full picture of the extent of the issue in a wider social context.

Example

Consider the issue of declining youth full-time employment in a wider context by using the elements of our wellbeing:

• Who we are: work-related skills and experience of young people
• What we do: educational attendance, part-time employment, voluntary work experience, recreational activities
• Where we live our lives: geographic region, socio-economic status of the area, access to services, availability of jobs in the local area
• Our connections: family roles, role models, support networks, job networks, involvement in the community
• Wellbeing of others: industry and local businesses, community and family
• Risks we face: effects of young people not being fully engaged (learning or earning), resilience and sustainability of communities, economic sustainability, skills development, welfare dependency
• Our opportunities and barriers : social inclusion of young people, remoteness and transport options, skills match, access to employment.

Considering the issue in a wider context might show that while the proportion of young people in full-time employment is declining it is primarily because the proportion of young people undertaking study is increasing. In other words, the proportion of young people who are fully engaged, either in work, study or a combination of both, may not be changing at all.

IDENTIFY LINKAGES, RELATIONSHIPS, PRESSURES AND DRIVERS

It is possible that there are many factors linked or related to the issue of interest, including life events and transitions, policy and program changes, or major social, economic or technological change. The elements of our changing world (Pressures) provide guidance for thinking about the impact of a wide range of factors on the issue of interest. Consider the following:

• How would an event or driver of change impact on the issue of interest? Consider how it will impact on each of the elements of our wellbeing.
• Consider both direct and indirect impacts and unexpected consequences.
• What factors will make it easier for people to adapt or transition successfully once the change has occurred? See transitions over the life course for further information.

Example

Identify the potential pressures and causes of declining youth full-time employment by using the elements of our changing world:

• Life events: family experiences and relationships, leaving school and transitioning to the workforce, interstate and intrastate migration patterns
• Society and culture: social, cultural and family roles and responsibilities, support networks, employment choices, expectations of work-life balance, youth lifestyle choices
• Governance: institutional barriers and incentives to employment, employer needs, wage rates, availability of information
• Environment and infrastructure: transport systems, access to services, housing
• Technology: skills appropriate to employers, ability to use technology in job search, opportunities to telework
• Economy: availability of jobs in the local area, cost of education.

Identifying the pressures and causes might show that the transition from study to work has become more complex over time with societal trends showing an increase in young people taking time off (gap year) or continuing on to further education after completing formal schooling. The changing labour force structure might also highlight barriers to full-time employment opportunities for young people.

DETERMINE THE RELATED INFORMATION NEEDS

It is important to decide what information is required to describe the issue, impacts, pressures and linkages. The social statistics themes section of the Frameworks provides a wealth of information and guidance on a range of social concepts. These themes can assist in considering current conditions and trends, the events, pressures and drivers of change, and other social themes related to the issue. For example, when investigating an issue related to housing, it may also be relevant to consider other social themes such as population demographics, economic wellbeing, family and community.

Example

Determine the social statistics information required. For the declining youth full-time employment example the key social statistics themes would include:

• Work
• Economic wellbeing
• Family and community
• Learning and knowledge.

IDENTIFY KEY POPULATION GROUPS

Generally there will be population groups that will be of particular interest. This may be a group that is vulnerable or most at risk; alternatively it may be a group that is doing unexpectedly well. It is important to consider how each element of Our Wellbeing relates to the particular culture, geographical location, age group and other features of the population group.

Example

Identify the key population groups of interest. For the declining youth full-time employment example the population groups of interest to the issue could include:

• Young people
• People living in outer metropolitan, regional and remote areas
• People experiencing socio-economic disadvantage
• People who are long term versus short term unemployed
• People with or without educational qualifications.

Analysing the key population groups might show that the most socio-economically disadvantaged young people are less likely to be fully engaged in education or work than young people living in less disadvantaged areas.

The following table can be used to assist with identifying and understanding an issue:

Step	Key Questions
Identify the issue	What are the key aspects of the issue? What is the current situation? Current level/rates What does the trend show? Do historical trends indicate that things are getting better or worse over time? What will be the short, medium and long term impacts if the trends continue? Are the impacts immediate or emerging slowly? Is the trend more or less concerning when considered in relation to other factors?
Scope out the issue	How will the issue affect: What people do? Places they live, work or socialise? Ability to connect to others? Risk burden? Opportunities? Barriers to participation? Consider the issue from different perspectives. Personal perspective Family perspective Community perspective Population group perspective Societal perspective How will this issue impact on the wellbeing of people now, in the past and in the future?
Identify linkages, relationships, pressures and drivers	Are there any clear driver causing the observed trends or patterns? Have there been changes in: Life events Society or culture Governance Environment Infrastructure Technology Economy Are there multiple drivers? Are there linkages and relationships between these drivers? Are other areas being affected by the trend, or by the same drivers?
Determine information needs	What information is needed to develop a clear baseline? What information will be needed to monitor changes over time? How will change be shown? Have all related areas of interest been considered? Population Family and community Culture and leisure Health Learning and knowledge Work Economic wellbeing Housing The built and natural environments Information and communication technology Crime, safety and justice Governance What sources of information are currently available? Are there gaps in the available information?
Identify key population groups	Consider who is doing the best and worst, and who the most vulnerable are. People living in regional and remote areas People with mental health disorders People who are caring for others Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples People experiencing socio-economic disadvantage Migrants Women Young people and/or children Older people People in single parent families (parents and children) People who are unemployed People who have been victims of crime Homeless people