CAFS

🟣 CORE 1: RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

1. What is resource management?

Resource management: The process of using resources effectively to meet needs and wants.

Resources can be:

  • Human resources — skills, knowledge, energy and time.

  • Economic resources — money and income.

  • Natural resources — water, land, food and energy.

  • Technological resources — computers, phones and appliances.

  • Community resources — services, facilities and organisations.


2. Needs vs wants

Needs

Things essential for survival and wellbeing.

Examples:

  • Food

  • Water

  • Shelter

  • Safety

  • Healthcare

Wants

Things that improve comfort or enjoyment but aren’t essential for survival.

Examples:

  • Designer clothes

  • Entertainment

  • Holidays

  • New technology

Remember:

Needs = necessary

Wants = desirable


3. Types of resources

Human resources

Resources provided by people.

Examples:

  • Knowledge

  • Skills

  • Education

  • Time

  • Energy

Non-human resources

Resources that aren’t provided directly by people.

Examples:

  • Money

  • Technology

  • Natural resources

  • Infrastructure


4. Resource management process

A useful process is:

Identify needs → Identify resources → Set goals → Plan → Implement → Evaluate

Identify needs

What needs to be achieved?

Identify resources

What resources are available?

Set goals

What outcome is wanted?

Plan

How will resources be used?

Implement

Put the plan into action.

Evaluate

Determine whether the plan was successful.


5. Factors affecting resource management

Resource management can be affected by:

  • Income

  • Time

  • Knowledge

  • Skills

  • Values

  • Beliefs

  • Culture

  • Age

  • Gender

  • Location

  • Technology

  • Availability of resources

  • Government policies

  • Family circumstances


6. Time as a resource

Time is:

  • Limited.

  • Non-renewable.

  • Available to everyone equally in quantity.

  • Impossible to save for later.

Time-management strategies

  • Prioritising tasks.

  • Creating schedules.

  • Setting goals.

  • Using calendars.

  • Avoiding procrastination.

  • Breaking large tasks into smaller tasks.


7. Money as a resource

Money allows individuals and families to:

  • Meet needs.

  • Purchase wants.

  • Save.

  • Invest.

  • Access services.

Factors affecting financial resources

  • Income

  • Employment

  • Number of dependants

  • Housing costs

  • Debt

  • Government assistance

  • Location

  • Cost of living


8. Financial management

Budget

A plan showing expected income and expenses.

Income

Money received.

Examples:

  • Wages

  • Government payments

  • Investments

  • Interest

Expenses

Money spent.

Examples:

  • Rent

  • Food

  • Transport

  • Bills

  • Entertainment


9. Fixed vs variable expenses

Fixed expenses

Usually remain relatively consistent.

Examples:

  • Rent

  • Loan repayments

  • Insurance

Variable expenses

Can change.

Examples:

  • Groceries

  • Electricity

  • Entertainment

  • Clothing


10. Saving

Saving means putting money aside for:

  • Emergencies.

  • Future purchases.

  • Education.

  • Holidays.

  • Long-term goals.

Benefits

  • Financial security.

  • Less reliance on debt.

  • Ability to meet unexpected expenses.


11. Decision-making

Effective decision-making process

Identify problem → Gather information → Identify options → Consider consequences → Choose → Implement → Evaluate


12. Factors affecting decisions

  • Values

  • Beliefs

  • Goals

  • Resources

  • Culture

  • Family

  • Friends

  • Media

  • Advertising

  • Emotions

  • Age

  • Experience


13. Goal setting

SMART goals

S — Specific

M — Measurable

A — Achievable

R — Relevant

T — Time-bound

Example:

❌ “I want to save money.”

✅ “I will save $500 by December by saving $25 per week.”


14. Effective resource management

Good resource management can:

  • Improve wellbeing.

  • Reduce stress.

  • Help achieve goals.

  • Improve financial security.

  • Reduce waste.

  • Improve quality of life.


🟢 CORE 2: INDIVIDUALS AND GROUPS

1. What is a group?

A group is two or more people who interact and share a common purpose, interest or characteristic.

Examples:

  • Family

  • Friendship group

  • Sporting team

  • School class

  • Work team


2. Types of groups

Primary group

Small group with close, personal relationships.

Examples:

  • Family

  • Close friends

Secondary group

Larger/formal group where relationships are usually less personal.

Examples:

  • Workplace

  • Sporting club

  • School organisation


3. Formal vs informal groups

Formal group

Has:

  • Structure.

  • Rules.

  • Specific roles.

  • Organised purpose.

Example:

  • School SRC.

Informal group

Usually develops naturally.

Example:

  • Group of friends.


4. Why do people belong to groups?

Groups can provide:

Social support

Emotional and practical assistance.

Identity

Help people develop a sense of who they are.

Belonging

Creates connection with others.

Security

Provides protection and support.

Shared interests

Allows people to participate in activities they enjoy.

Socialisation

Helps people learn social behaviours and expectations.


5. Individual needs

Individuals have different needs.

Physical needs

  • Food

  • Water

  • Shelter

  • Healthcare

  • Sleep

Emotional needs

  • Love

  • Security

  • Acceptance

  • Self-esteem

Social needs

  • Friendship

  • Belonging

  • Relationships

  • Community participation


6. Factors affecting individual wellbeing

  • Age

  • Gender

  • Culture

  • Socioeconomic status

  • Family

  • Education

  • Employment

  • Health

  • Relationships

  • Location

  • Access to services

  • Technology

  • Social media


7. Wellbeing

Wellbeing: A person’s overall quality of life and ability to function physically, socially, emotionally and psychologically.

Dimensions of wellbeing

Physical

  • Health

  • Fitness

  • Nutrition

Social

  • Relationships

  • Community participation

Emotional

  • Ability to understand/manage emotions

Psychological

  • Thoughts

  • Self-esteem

  • Mental functioning

Spiritual

  • Meaning, purpose, values and beliefs.


8. Equity vs equality

Equality

Everyone receives the same thing.

Equity

People receive what they need to achieve a fair outcome.

Example:

Equality → Everyone gets the same amount of help.

Equity → People who need more assistance receive more support.


9. Roles

A role is the behaviour expected from a person in a particular position.

Examples:

  • Student

  • Daughter/son

  • Employee

  • Friend

  • Team member


10. Role expectations

Society, families and groups create expectations about how people should behave.

These can be influenced by:

  • Culture

  • Age

  • Gender

  • Family

  • Religion

  • Media

  • Society


11. Role conflict

Occurs when the expectations of two or more roles clash.

Example:

A student works after school but has an important exam the next morning.

Student role ↔ Employee role


12. Role overload

Occurs when a person has too many responsibilities within their roles.

Example:

A person:

  • Works.

  • Studies.

  • Looks after children.

  • Cares for an elderly relative.


13. Socialisation

Socialisation: The process through which individuals learn society’s:

  • Values.

  • Norms.

  • Behaviours.

  • Expectations.

Primary socialisation

Usually occurs during childhood.

Secondary socialisation

Occurs throughout life through:

  • School

  • Work

  • Friends

  • Media

  • Community


14. Agents of socialisation

Important influences include:

  • Family

  • Friends

  • School

  • Media

  • Religion

  • Workplace

  • Community


15. Culture

Culture: Shared beliefs, values, customs, behaviours and practices of a group.

Culture can influence:

  • Food.

  • Clothing.

  • Relationships.

  • Parenting.

  • Communication.

  • Gender roles.

  • Celebrations.

  • Values.


16. Diversity

Diversity: Differences between individuals and groups.

Can include:

  • Culture.

  • Age.

  • Gender.

  • Religion.

  • Ability.

  • Socioeconomic status.

  • Family structure.

  • Language.

Benefits of diversity

  • Different perspectives.

  • Greater understanding.

  • Creativity.

  • Stronger communities.

  • Cultural exchange.


17. Stereotypes

A stereotype is a generalised belief about a group.

Example:

“Teenagers are lazy.”

Problems

  • May be inaccurate.

  • Can lead to prejudice.

  • Can contribute to discrimination.


18. Prejudice

Prejudice: A preconceived judgement or attitude towards a person/group.


19. Discrimination

Discrimination: Unfair treatment of a person/group based on a characteristic.

Easy sequence:

Stereotype → Prejudice → Discrimination


20. Social inclusion

Social inclusion: Ensuring people can participate fully in society.

Includes access to:

  • Education.

  • Employment.

  • Healthcare.

  • Recreation.

  • Community activities.

  • Relationships.


21. Social exclusion

Occurs when individuals/groups are prevented from fully participating in society.

Possible causes:

  • Poverty.

  • Disability.

  • Discrimination.

  • Geographic isolation.

  • Unemployment.

  • Lack of services.


🔵 CORE 3: FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES

1. What is a family?

A family is a group of people connected through relationships such as:

  • Birth.

  • Marriage.

  • Partnership.

  • Adoption.

  • Kinship.

Families can have different structures and functions.


2. Family diversity

Australian families can include:

Nuclear family

Two parents/carers and their children.

Single-parent family

One parent/carer and children.

Blended family

Partners and children from previous relationships.

Extended family

Includes relatives such as:

  • Grandparents.

  • Aunts/uncles.

  • Cousins.

Same-sex parent family

Children raised by same-sex parents.

Couple family

Two partners without children.

Foster family

Children cared for by approved foster carers.


3. Family functions

Families can provide:

Physical needs

  • Food.

  • Shelter.

  • Clothing.

  • Healthcare.

Emotional support

  • Love.

  • Security.

  • Acceptance.

Socialisation

Teach:

  • Values.

  • Norms.

  • Behaviour.

Economic support

  • Income.

  • Resources.

  • Financial assistance.

Reproductive function

Families can provide an environment for raising children.

Education

Teach children:

  • Skills.

  • Values.

  • Social expectations.


4. Family roles

Examples:

  • Parent/carer.

  • Child.

  • Partner.

  • Sibling.

  • Grandparent.

Roles can change over time.


5. Family change

Families can change because of:

  • Marriage.

  • Separation.

  • Divorce.

  • Birth.

  • Death.

  • Remarriage.

  • Adoption.

  • Migration.

  • Employment.

  • Illness.

  • Ageing.


6. Family life cycle

Families go through different stages.

A simplified model:

Couple → Family with young children → Family with adolescents → Children leave home → Later life

Each stage creates different:

  • Roles.

  • Responsibilities.

  • Needs.

  • Challenges.


7. Communities

Community: A group of people connected by location, interests, identity or shared characteristics.

Examples:

  • Local community.

  • School community.

  • Sporting community.

  • Online community.

  • Cultural community.


8. Types of communities

Geographic community

People living in the same area.

Example:

  • Town/neighbourhood.

Interest community

People sharing an interest.

Example:

  • Horse-riding community.

Cultural community

People sharing cultural characteristics.

Virtual community

People connected online.


9. Community resources

Resources available to support individuals and families.

Examples:

  • Schools.

  • Hospitals.

  • Libraries.

  • Sporting clubs.

  • Community centres.

  • Childcare.

  • Government services.

  • Charities.

  • Religious organisations.


10. Formal vs informal support

Formal support

Provided by organised services/professionals.

Examples:

  • Doctors.

  • Social workers.

  • Schools.

  • Government agencies.

  • Counsellors.

Informal support

Provided by personal relationships.

Examples:

  • Family.

  • Friends.

  • Neighbours.


11. Community services

Community services aim to:

  • Support wellbeing.

  • Meet needs.

  • Reduce disadvantage.

  • Improve access to resources.

  • Promote inclusion.


12. Social change

Social change: Changes in society’s structures, behaviours, values and attitudes over time.

Causes

  • Technology.

  • Migration.

  • Economic changes.

  • Political changes.

  • Education.

  • Media.

  • Social movements.

  • Changing values.

  • Globalisation.


13. Technology and families

Technology can have:

Positive effects

  • Easier communication.

  • Access to information.

  • Online education.

  • Remote work.

  • Maintaining relationships.

Negative effects

  • Reduced face-to-face interaction.

  • Cyberbullying.

  • Privacy concerns.

  • Screen dependence.

  • Online safety risks.


14. Globalisation

Globalisation: Increasing connections between countries and societies.

Can affect:

  • Employment.

  • Culture.

  • Communication.

  • Family relationships.

  • Migration.

  • Education.

  • Technology.


15. Government support

Government can support families through:

  • Financial assistance.

  • Healthcare.

  • Education.

  • Housing assistance.

  • Childcare.

  • Family support programs.

  • Disability services.


16. Non-government organisations

NGOs/community organisations can:

  • Provide services.

  • Advocate for groups.

  • Provide emergency assistance.

  • Support disadvantaged people.

  • Promote social change.

Examples:

  • Charities.

  • Community groups.

  • Advocacy organisations.