Aussie Childcare Network Forum

Hi all,

I am currently working on the "Work within a relevant legal and ethical framework unit" and I'm having a little trouble with 2 of the scenarios.

1. In the following scenario what would you do? You will need access to the ECA Code of Ethics to complete this task.
A local donut company approaches your service for a fundraising event. You can possibly make over $5000.00 and your service is in great need of new outdoor equipment. You know that donuts have no health benefit to children and only add to the obesity crisis, do you accept their offer? Why / Why not? Refer to the ECA Code of Ethics in your answer and any other relevant legislation.

I'm not really sure on how to answer this, especially with reference to the Code of Ethics, I've read through it over and over but i just don't really see how it fits.
I get that donuts aren't exactly the best food for kids health wise but at the same time, as a fundraising event its not the kids that would be buying them it would be the parents buying them, also I think if the centre is in need of new outdoor equipment and the centre can't afford it with out a fundraising event, shouldn't they take the opportunity to be able to buy new equipment? As far as code of ethics go here, i feel like new equipment would "Create and maintain safe, healthy environments, spaces and places, which enhance children’s learning, development, engagement, initiative, self-worth, dignity and show respect for their contributions."
But I'm not really sure.


2. In the following scenario what would you do? You will need access to the ECA Code of Ethics to complete this task.
Whilst on your break you walk into the staff room, Jane your co-worker is smoking in the staff room, which is not allowed in a children’s service. You ask Jane why she has begun smoking in the staff room. She tells you it’s too cold outside and Laurel (the authorised supervisor) is not around anyway. Jane makes you promise that you won’t tell Laurel. You know that smoking is wrong in the workplace especially as children are in your workplace, but Jane is a good friend. What would you do next? Why? Who should you inform about this? What would you say? Refer to the ECA Code of Ethics in your answer and any other relevant legislation

This one I can't even wrap my head around the scenario, I get that it's a scenario but what kind of person smokes in the workplace (unless told they can but i doubt that) let alone in a child care centre... and why would I just be asking... so why have you begun smoking in here? and why promise Jane you won't tell... the first thing you should do is tell Jane to put out the cigarette... and how good of a friend can Jane be anyway if shes making you promise something like that???
As i said i can't even wrap my head around this scenario let alone answer the questions

Any help on this would be greatly greatly appreciated

Thank you.
Melanie

Hi Lorina,

Thank you so much for your reply all that information was extremely helpful, I have posted my answers to those scenarios if you wouldn't mind having a read over it I'd really appreciate it, I've also posted them there for other students reference.

Scenario 1) In the following scenario what would you do? You will need access to the ECA Code of Ethics to complete this task.
A local donut company approaches your service for a fundraising event. You can possibly make over $5000.00 and your service is in great need of new outdoor equipment. You know that donuts have no health benefit to children and only add to the obesity crisis, do you accept their offer? Why / Why not? Refer to the ECA Code of Ethics in your answer and any other relevant legislation.

Answer) No I wouldn’t accept the offer, while hosting a donut fundraising event seems like a good idea, especially when it could earn the centre up to $5000.00, holding such an event with food like donuts that don’t have any health benefits to children and could add to the obesity crisis turns it into a bad idea, you are providing a temptation to the children and it goes against a point in the ECA Code of Ethics “In relation to families - Be sensitive to the vulnerabilities of children and families and respond in ways that empower and maintain the dignity of all children and families”.
A fundraiser is still a good idea to raise money for the centre but research could be done to find a healthier or non-food alternative.

Scenario 2) In the following scenario what would you do? You will need access to the ECA Code of Ethics to complete this task.
Whilst on your break you walk into the staff room, Jane your co-worker is smoking in the staff room, which is not allowed in a children’s service. You ask Jane why she has begun smoking in the staff room. She tells you it’s too cold outside and Laurel (the authorised supervisor) is not around anyway. Jane makes you promise that you won’t tell Laurel. You know that smoking is wrong in the workplace especially as children are in your workplace, but Jane is a good friend. What would you do next? Why? Who should you inform about this? What would you say? Refer to the ECA Code of Ethics in your answer and any other relevant legislation.

Answer) In my opinion, good friend or not, smoking around children is dangerous and harmful; second hand smoke can increase the risk of SIDS, slower lung growth and middle ear infections and cause many other problems, for this reason Jane should know better, and I should encourage her to adopt and act in accordance with the ECA Code of Ethics, and implore that she create and maintain a safe, healthy environment. I would take action in the presence of her unethical behaviour, by mentioning to Laurel that I don’t think it’s appropriate or professional for any staff to be smoking in or around the premises (even directly outside the building) and that we should make the entire centre a smoke free zone.
Some more points from the ECA Code of Ethics that are relevant in this situation are:
• In relation to my employer - Adhere to lawful policies and procedures and when there is conflict, attempt to effect change through constructive action within the organisation or seek change through appropriate procedures.
• In relation to myself - Advocate in relation to issues that impact on my profession and on young children and their families
I’d also like to add, that the answer I’ve given above is to the full scenario given, however if this scenario was to ever actually happen, I wouldn’t ask Jane why she has begun smoking in the staff room as there is no good reason to that, it simply shouldn’t happen. The first thing I would do would be to tell Jane to put out the cigarette, that regardless of Laurel not being there she is doing the wrong thing. I also wouldn’t promise not to tell Laurel as Laurel should know about this sort of thing happening in the centre, I understand that this may cause conflict between Jane and myself but conflict is something that can be resolved whereas the damage Jane could do by smoking in the centre would most likely be irreversible.



Thank you,
Melanie