Question

Patrick is the primary carer for Sebastian, a young man who has complex care needs which are extremely time consuming. He needs full time supervision, medication management and must be turned in bed several times a night. Pahalk is a family support worker who initially created an individual support plan for Sebastian and now provides ongoing support to the family. Patrick meets with Pahalk to talk about how the family is coping at present. Patrick tells Pahalk that he is finding the caring responsibilities challenging and that sometimes he gets very cross and angry. He explains that there have been times when he has left Sebastian unattended to go to the pub nearby and play the pokies. He explains that he does not gamble a lot but that it just gives him a short break and some relief from the demands of caring. Pahalk asks what happens when he feels angry at home and Patrick tells him that one day last week he had found himself thinking about hurting Sebastian. He did not hurt Sebastian, but felt extremely ashamed of himself afterwards for even considering it. Patrick then breaks down and tells Pahalk that he is worried about whether he should continue caring for Sebastian at all. Pahalk provides care and reassurance and asks Patrick if he thinks it is still a possibility that he might try to harm Sebastian. Patrick tells Pahalk that he is worried every day that he might do something bad to Sebastian and that he does not know what to do. He asks Pahalk to promise not to tell anyone about what he has said.

What are Pahalk’s legal and ethical obligations with regard to confidentiality and disclosure of information in this situation?

Answer 1

Pahalk has a duty of care to report potential risks to Sebastian's safety despite confidentiality obligations, prioritizing Sebastian's well-being and seeking additional support for Patrick.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the described scenario, Pahalk, as a family support worker, has both legal and ethical obligations concerning confidentiality and the disclosure of information. Legally, while there is an obligation to maintain Patrick's confidentiality, this is overridden when there is a risk of harm to Sebastian or others, known as 'duty of care'. Pahalk must report any concerns of potential abuse or neglect to the proper authorities to ensure that Sebastian is safe. Ethically, Pahalk is bound by a professional code that prioritizes the well-being of the client.

This means that the safety of Sebastian is the paramount concern. In recognizing signs of caregiver stress and potential for harm, Pahalk should address Patrick's need for support, consider respite care solutions, and guide him to appropriate counseling services. At the same time, Pahalk must act to protect Sebastian, even if it involves breaking confidentiality.