You are working in a community health service which is run in conjunction with a youth ‘drop-in’ program. known as Youth in Front. Herriot Malini is a 14-year-old girl who has been attending the program for some time. Herriot has a mild intellectual disability with sub-average intellectual functioning and lack of social skills. Herriot has a reputation for dishonesty including telling lies and stealing from others.
You have noticed lately that she has been withdrawn and subject to fits of temper. When you ask her if she is okay, she tells you that no, she is not okay and how would you feel if your mother’s boyfriend kept feeling you up?
As you talk to Herriot, she discloses that her mother’s boyfriend has touched her sexually on several occasions when her mother has been at work. She has now moved in with her grandmother to get away from him. Her mother went crazy when she found out she was living with Grandma and when she told her why she called her a ‘lying little b***h’.
She tells you that she wants the man locked up so he can’t hurt her anymore but she also tells you that she would be much too scared to talk to authorities about what has happened.
Herriot also says that her mother has no rights over her because she is not her real mother but only a guardian because her mother died when she was a baby.
- What legislation covers the protection of children against abuse in your state?
- Herriot has a reputation for lying. Does this mean you should decide whether or not she is telling the truth before reporting the allegation? How may the code of ethics assist you with this decision?
- Where can you find information about how to deal with allegations of client abuse inside and outside of your organisation?
- What guidance does a code of ethics give in relation to confidentiality in this case?
- Is Herriot right when she says her mother has no rights because she is not her real mother?
- You realise you will need to report this to your supervisor. When should you do this and what would you do if your supervisor was not available?
You have no counselling experience or training, but for several years you have worked with young people with disabilities who are at risk.
You think Herriot needs some counselling to help her with her issues around the sexual assault and her problems with her mother.
As you have a good relationship with Herriot, you think you are the best person to do this. You arrange to meet Herriot at her grandmother’s house tomorrow to start the counselling.
You are looking forward to helping Herriot and read up on counselling text books overnight. - What is wrong with your idea to provide counselling to Herriot?
- What is your responsibility to Herriot?