Analyzing Legal and Ethical Challenges in Family Support Work

This case study delves into the ethical and legal complexities encountered in family support work, specifically addressing scenarios involving a parent with substance abuse issues, workplace discrimination against a transgender colleague, and a case of client assault. It identifies relevant legislations such as the Practice Standards for Mental Health Social Workers, the Sex Discrimination Act 1984, and the Crime Act 1914. The study explores ethical dilemmas, potential courses of action, and strategies for improving work practices, emphasizing the importance of professional consultation, emotional support, and adherence to organizational grievance procedures. Ultimately, the analysis underscores the necessity of balancing legal obligations with ethical considerations to ensure the well-being and safety of both clients and support workers. Desklib provides a platform to explore similar solved assignments and past papers for students.

Cluster 2 Written
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Table of Contents
Part A...............................................................................................................................................3
1. What are the legislations/codes/standards that are required to work as family support
worker ....................................................................................................................................3
2. Ethical dilemma in present situation?.................................................................................3
3. Options available in this situation......................................................................................3
4. What are the possible consequences of each option?.........................................................4
5. How can you determine best course of action?..................................................................4
Part B...............................................................................................................................................4
1. The legislation applicable in the current situation..............................................................4
2. Determine two potential work practice for improvement..................................................4
3. Actions that will lead to improvement?..............................................................................4
Part C...............................................................................................................................................5
1. What legislation relates to this situation?...........................................................................5
2. What might your colleague need?......................................................................................5
3. How could you help your colleague?.................................................................................5
REFERNCES:..................................................................................................................................6
Books and Journals:................................................................................................................6
Online.....................................................................................................................................6

Part A
1. What are the legislations/codes/standards that are required to work as family support worker
It is important to note that there are various issues that are faced by parents and specially
with the people that have mental health issues. It is seen that they are unable to guide their
children in an effective manner . These people are unable to understand the moral values and
principles. They themselves face issue related to mental health and that has a negative impact on
their children. In this regard there are some legislations formulated by Government. The services
are provided by keeping in mind all the legislations, codes and standards (Practice Standards for
Mental Health Social Workers, 2014). All this will help to take suitable actions. It is seen that by
following those laws it is possible to help these people. The Practice Standards for Mental
Health Social Workers, 2014 is updated version of Mental Health Standard 2008. There is
discussion related to some practices that will help people suffering from mental health. The Code
of Ethics also define the moral principles such as honesty, integrity, professionalism as they help
in attaining ethical work and be accountable for the same. The Practice Standards 2013, show
the requirements related to professionals, accountable, effective requirement that help to work in
social context. Medicare Australia or another government program in Australia support the
mental health social worker and fund them. The legislations formulated for the social workers
professional body codes of practice. The code describes the standards of professional conduct
that are required and help in raising awareness.
Case Study
2. Ethical dilemma in present situation?
Ethical dilemma means that there is choice among the options available in which a person
has to choose the one and none of them overrides the other. It is necessary to follow the ethical
values (Girdhar, Srivastava and Sethi, 2020). Here, in the given case the problem is related to the
drinking habits of Mary. Due to which the community has to keep her away from her children.
3. Options available in this situation
It is a complicated situation. As, keeping the children away from their single mother is
morally wrong. The following are the options available that will help to respond the situation:
 The first option is to send the mother to rehabilitation centre. There she will be treated
properly.

 Another option is to send children to meet her on weekly basis. This will motivate her
and will give her reason to leave drugs.
4. What are the possible consequences of each option?
By sending the mother to rehabilitation centre there will be various benefits. She will
learn to live without drinks and drugs. This will help to bring mental peace and she will live a
better life (Giamos and et.al., 2017). This will help her to realise the importance of children and
she will make efforts to live with them. To live in society it is necessary to maintain peace and
follow the ethics.
5. How can you determine best course of action?
There are two options that are being evaluated above. The best course of action is to send
her to rehabilitation centre (Park-Lee and et.al., 2018). The environment provided there will help
her to change and leave the bad habit of drinking.
Part B
1. The legislation applicable in the current situation
The Sex Discrimination Act 1984 (SDA), is a law that gives protection to transgender in
Australia. As per the law, no one can be discriminated on the basis of gender and the transgender
must be treated equally (Australian Human Rights Commission, 2018).
2. Determine two potential work practice for improvement
 It is important to consult a doctor. A professional can help to handle the situation in an
effective manner.
 Giving emotional support and standing by his side will help. At the same time helping
him to file complaint is will also help to improve the situation.
3. Actions that will lead to improvement?
It is important to make policies related to transgender and work to help them. It is
necessary to provide emotional support and that will improve the situation.
Part C
1. What legislation relates to this situation?
Assault is treated as an offence in Australia that is covered under Crime Act, 1914 (The
meaning of Assault under Australian law, 2015). There are appropriate laws that safeguard the

individuals against assault. There is right to grievance that is provided by every organisation in
Australia (Cain, 2018). This law helps a person to share and complaint against any issue that is
being faced by them and is related to workplace.
2. What might your colleague need?
In this case, my colleague needs support as well as assistance. It is time to file a
complaint against the client and tell supervisor about the assault. This will help my colleague to
get justice as well as satisfaction. The support will help to cope up with the situation and sleep
freely.
3. How could you help your colleague?
I will spend time with him and assist him in forgetting the situation as it is important to
move on and forget what has happened. A support of friend is important and help to motivate a
person (Rana, Mukhtar and Mukhtar, 2020). Ethical and social support will help him to come out
of the situation and live freely.

REFERNCES:
Books and Journals:
Australian Human Rights Commission, 2018. Guidelines: Special measures under the Sex
Discrimination Act 1984 (Cth).
Cain, J., 2018. It’s time to confront student mental health issues associated with smartphones
and social media. American journal of pharmaceutical education, 82(7).
Giamos and et.al., 2017. Understanding campus culture and student coping strategies for mental
health issues in five Canadian colleges and universities. Canadian Journal of Higher
Education/Revue canadienne d'enseignement supérieur, 47(3), pp.136-151.
Girdhar, R., Srivastava, V. and Sethi, S., 2020. Managing mental health issues among elderly
during COVID-19 pandemic. J. Geriatr. Care Res, 7, pp.32-35.
Park-Lee and et.al., 2018. Receipt of services for substance use and mental health issues among
adults: Results from the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
Rana, W., Mukhtar, S. and Mukhtar, S., 2020. Mental health of medical workers in Pakistan
during the pandemic COVID-19 outbreak. Asian journal of psychiatry, 51, p.102080.
Online
Practice Standards for Mental Health Social Workers 2014. [Online] Available through:
<https://www.aasw.asn.au/document/item/6739>
The meaning of Assault under Australian law, 2015 [Online] Available through:
<https://www.bsglaw.net/the-meaning-of-assault-under-australian-law/>