Aussie Childcare Network Forum

CHCCS400C Work within a relevant legal and ethical framework
Knowledge: Beginner

Question: Discuss with a peer, your trainer or your supervisor how you, as an educator, would manage the abuse of a child or a family member who attends an education and care service. Would the strategies you use be different if you became aware of a colleague suffering abuse? Write the step-by-step processes you would follow for different situations.

I'm just a little bit unsure as to my legal and ethical responsibilities in regards to managing the abuse of a family member of a child attending the service, and a colleague. I'm a little unsure of what can be reported in my state (Western Australia), and I was hoping someone could help me clear this up.

With the family member, I would offer them information such as pamphlets about abuse, as well as information on places the person can go to get help, such as shelters, counselling services, etc. Would this be stepping outside of my role as an educator?
Also, if the child is witnessing the abuse, this could be causing them psychological harm. In WA, should this be reported, and should I inform the family member that it will be reported?

In regards to the colleague, again, I would offer support and information, but what else should I do? If I physically witnessed the abuse of course I would call the police. In the case of hearsay I would suggest that the colleague call the relevant authorities, but legally, should I call the authorities myself and force the issue?

If anyone can provide any relevant information for me, or point me in the right direction, I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks in advance!

Eli

Thanks very much for that information, Lorina! This is what I've got purely in regards to the family member and the colleague:

"In the case of a family member of a child being abused, I would listen to the person and offer support and information. I would not judge the person being abused. If the family member indicates that the child is also being abused, I would explain that I do have to report it. However if the child is not being abused, I would still ask if the family member would like me to contact the authorities. I would offer them information including the contact details of the Domestic Violence Advocacy and Support Services, counselling services for abuse victims, refuges in the area such as the Pat Giles Centre or the Byanda Women’s Refuge, and information about the Family Violence Service. I would be sure to keep a close eye on the child so as to act promptly if they also show signs of being abused. If I needed more advice, I would speak to my supervisor or someone from an outside agency, while trying to maintain confidentiality so long as it is legal for me to do so.

In the case of a colleague being abused my actions would be similar to my actions in regards to the family member. I would offer support and would not judge, and would offer the same information. Again, I would offer to contact the authorities. If the colleague is a friend I would make sure they know they can call me. During work I may keep an eye on the colleague to make sure his or her situation is not affecting his or her work."

In the case of the family member, I have not offered my phone number as I feel that may be stepping outside of my job role. I feel that a colleague that is also a friend would already have my phone number and therefore it is not stepping outside of my role. The question does not state the gender of the family member or the colleague, so I tried to make it as gender neutral as I could, but it turns out it's very difficult to find resources for men over 18 that are being abused.