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Work within a legal and ethical framework

Content

• Key Legislation
  • Community Services and Disability Services Legislation
  • General Employment Legislation
  • Legislation with Confidentiality Provisions
• Section 1: The Australian Legal Framework
  • Framework for Human Services Workers
  • Sources of Law
  • The Court Hierarchy
  • Legislation
  • Criminal and Civil Law
  • International Treaties and Conventions
  • Federal System of Government
  • Federal Government Structure
  • Queensland Government Structure
  • Interactive Self Check
  • Summary
• Section 2: Working within an ethical framework
  • What are ethics?
  • Ethical and impartial service delivery
  • Personal values, principles and beliefs
  • Ethical dilemmas
  • Professional boundaries
  • Conflicts of interest
  • Identifying a conflict of interest
  • Resolving a conflict of interest
  • Resolving ethical issues
  • A model for ethical decision-making
  • Dealing with unethical conduct in others
  • Interactive Self Check
  • Summary
• Section 3: Following Policies and Procedures
  • Defining policy and procedures
  • Following policy and procedures
  • Changes to policy and procedures
  • SWOT analysis and Brainstorming
  • Interactive Self Check
  • Summary
• Section 4: Protecting clients' rights
  • The right to privacy
  • The right to consent
  • The right to safety and adequate care
  • The right to complain
  • Other client rights
  • Referring clients to advocacy services
  • The roles and responsibilities of legal guardians
  • Interactive Self Check
  • Summary

Readings

Resources and sample forms (Word Document 66KB)

Bibliography (Word Document 54KB)

Section 1

Reading: Duty of care – Professional boundaries fact sheets

http://www.yapa.org.au/youthwork/facts/ok/boundaries.php
This fact sheet deals with what to do if you are:

• offered gifts by young people and their families
• having contact with a young person outside of work
• having a young person stay in your own home.

http://www.yapa.org.au/youthwork/facts/ok/drive.php
This fact sheet covers your professional boundaries regarding driving young people whilst on duty.

http://www.yapa.org.au/youthwork/facts/ok/safety.php
The fact sheet deals with duty of care relating to yourself, other co-workers and young people.

http://www.yapa.org.au/youthwork/facts/ok/sex.php
This fact sheet focuses on two questions youth workers often ask, whether or not to:

• report a young person’s underage sex
• give out condoms (to all ages).

http://www.yapa.org.au/youthwork/facts/ok/drug.php
The fact sheet contains information on:

• smoking,
• alcohol and illegal drugs,
• coffee in youth services.

http://www.yapa.org.au/youthwork/facts/ok/photos.php
A fact sheet about the basic legal principles of taking and using photographs of young people.

http://www.yapa.org.au/youthwork/facts/ok/privacy.php
A fact sheet containing information on privacy and confidentiality dilemmas.

Section 2

Reading: Court process for young people – Logan Youth Legal Service

www.yfs.org.au

Section 3

Reading: Child safety – Overview of the child safety system

www.ccypcg.qld.gov.au/pdf/publications/reports/child-guardian-report-2007/CG-Report-Chapter1.pdf (PDF 299KB)

Section 4

Reading: Complaints - Your rights are our concern

www.adcq.qld.gov.au
The Anti-Discrimination Commission deals with discrimination, sexual harassment and acts of public hatred.

www.ccypcg.qld.gov.au/complaints/index.html
The Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian advocate for the rights, interests and wellbeing of children and young people.

www.cmc.qld.gov.au
The Crime and Misconduct Commission accepts complaints about official misconduct of public officials in state government departments and agencies, local government, the Queensland Police Service and members of State Parliament.

www.hrc.qld.gov.au
The Health Rights Commission deals with concerns and complaints about health care or treatment in Queensland.

www.ombudsman.qld.gov.au
The Queensland Ombudsman deals with complaints about the decisions of public sector agencies.

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