Scenario

Estelle Lovett is a Community Support Worker at First Access Community Services located in Melbourne, Australia. Today she has an administration day onsite to catch up on documentation and planning. She goes to the storeroom to get some items. While in the storeroom she overhears a colleague, Sandra, talking on her phone in the staffroom. 'I just think we are spending too much time individualising the planning for our clients. If we focused on a more universal daily plan for everyone, we would get through so much more during the day. I mean, why are we separating mealtimes for some clients, and why on earth are they getting a choice as to what they'd like for dinner? With some of the issues they come here with, who cares? I mean, Ethan can't even taste food due to what he's put his body through, and I heard he's just been diagnosed with diabetes, so no more cake for Ethan. Deb has proposed we make the kitchen wheelchair accessible as she wants to have a group baking in there and there is one client in a wheelchair, one! What a waste of time. If they want to bake, have some of their family members pick them up and take them somewhere else to bake.' Estelle exits the storeroom and enters the staffroom and notices Sandra is slightly startled. She changes the subject on the phone and keeps talking quietly.

What happened in this scenario?

What is the ethical issue in this scenario?

What should Estelle do in this case?

Who should she report the issue to?

What actions should be taken to address Sandra's breach of conduct?

What would improve the issue or situation?

(keep answer within the context of Australia)