Assignment
1. Why is it important that you identify sources of information about compliance requirements?
2. Name three different sources where you can access information about the nature of your own legal rights and responsibilities within your work role.
3. List three different policies and procedures you might encounter in your work within the community service sector.
4. Imagine that you observed one of your colleagues breach his ethical duties towards a client. Describe two different actions you could take.
5. List three different types of breaches of ethical or legal practice you might refer to people in authority.
6. What is a professional code of ethics and why is it important to adhere to this code?
7. Imagine that your client has asked you to give her your personal phone number so that they can call you after work. What type of workplace issue does this request concern and how would you deal with this request?
8. Provide two reason why it important to refrain from providing misleading information to your clients.
9. How can you recognise ethical dilemmas in your work?
10. Why is it important to be aware of your own personal values in the community services workplace?
11. Imagine that you are working with a young person who is practicing self-harm such as cutting themselves.
12. What are the competing values in this scenario?
13. What are your protections if you decide to report a colleague's unethical conduct?
14. Describe a conflict of interest that may arise in your workplace and how you would address this.
15. List two different measures you could take to ensure that work practice improvements are made regularly.
16. Provide two different reasons why it is important to give feedback to your work colleagues.
17. Describe the processes involved in most community service workplaces to review policies and protocols.
18. Define the terms: Codes of conduct, code of practice , Dignity of risk , Duty of care , Human rights, Informed consent , Mandatory reporting, Complaints management.
Case Study I
Michael is providing care to Anthea a Greek woman who has always attended a religious group.
Anthea has been making large donations to the group. This group has strong right to life views and is anti-abortion.
A new religious leader seems to be making greater demands of Anthea. The leader visits Anthea one day and starts to speak with her about her donating money to the religious group in her will.
He tells Anthea he will get someone to come and properly discuss this with her.
Michael overhears this conversation and provides Anthea with a brochure from State Trustees on wills. Anthea takes the brochure, but it seems that she does not really understand the information.
Anthea's son, Theo, who is a regular visitor, asks Michael to keep an eye on Anthea and tell him about any 'unusual' visitors she has and what discussions they have about money. Theo does not share his mother's religious beliefs and is suspicious of the group's leader.
A week later, Michael notices that Anthea has a new visitor from the religious group. Michael overhears their discussion although it is mostly in Greek. He thinks that the visitor is putting quite a lot of pressure on Anthea to include the group in her will.
Michael mentions his concerns to a Greek speaking personal care worker colleague Anna, who offers to chat with Anthea to find out if she is feeling pressured. After speaking to Anthea for a while, Anna gives Anthea a business card. When Michael asks Anna about this, she tells him it is her husband's business card. She says: "My husband's very good with older clients".
A. When Theo next visits, he asks Michael if any church people have been to visit his mother and enquires about the will brochure and the business card he has found in his mother's room.
B. Explain two potential legal issues raised in this scenario and describe what actions can be taken by Anthea's son Theo through the State Trustees if he felt that Anthea is not able to manage her money competently.
C. List two of Michael's legal and ethical responsibilities in this situation.
Case study II
John is a youth worker. He has been working with Julia for some time now. Recently John has been spending more time with Julia than with other clients. One day John suggests to Julia that she comes to his house to watch a movie. Julia does not want to do this, as the other clients are starting to talk about her and John. John tells her not to worry about it, and to make sure she comes around to his place tonight otherwise he will tell his supervisor that she has been smoking marijuana. Julia feels that she has to go because she is scared of getting into trouble.
Explain why John's actions are inappropriate and explain why this action could potentially constitute sexual harassment.
Imagine that Julia has reported John to you as a colleague. What actions will you take in response and what other actions can Julia take besides reporting this behaviour to you?
Research project
A. Identify the relevant laws and principles relating to client abuse in your sector (for example choose from one of the following):
a. Child abuse
b. Elder abuse
B. Abuse of a person with disabilities - Describe the signs and observable symptoms that could indicate abuse of clients within your service sector.
C. Discuss the ethical implications of the following:
a. Reporting suspected abuse when your suspicions are inaccurate, and abuse did not occur
b. Failing to report suspected abuse.