The proposed agenda for the meeting is as follows:

• Introduction and Overview of the Safety and Respect Team
• Discussion on the Responsibilities of the Team
• Education on Legal and Ethical Obligations of Staff
• Understanding and Reporting Abuse
• Training on Communication Strategies for Building Trust and Rapport
• Review of the Incident, Injury, Trauma, and Illness Policy and Procedure

Today at 10.00 a.m. you were meeting with a counselling client named Cherie Barra, aged 17.

When you were talking with Cherie, you noticed a bruise on her left forearm, just below her elbow. You asked her about it. She said, 'I didn't want to go to the doctor's appointment to renew my anti-depressant script because I don't like being asked so many questions about how I'm feeling. I was telling the support worker that drives me on the free transport service that I didn't want to get in the car and they said we were running late and just shoved me into the car.' Cherie began to cry while telling the story. She was visibly distressed, and her hands were shaking.

You asked Cherie who shoved her. She was weeping and it was difficult for her to speak. She said that Bill shoved her.

You asked Cherie why she didn't tell anyone, and she said that she did tell one of the youth workers named Bella, but she just laughed and said, 'You're crazy! Bill is such a lovely guy; he wouldn't do something like that.'

Immediately after you speak with Cherie, you make an urgent appointment to speak to with a colleague, Senior Counsellor Monica Earnest. You report the incident to Monica, who says: 'Okay. Let's just leave this for a week and see if Cherie mentions it again. During that time, I will ask that you don't mention this to anybody. It wouldn't be fair to Bill. After all, we all know that Cherie's condition sees her making up reasons not to go out or attend appointments. She has developed a pattern of very creative storytelling to cover her agoraphobia'.

You see the General Manager for First Access, Lou-Ellen Fox, and tell her Cherie's story. You also mention that, according to Cherie, Bella, one of the Youth Workers, knew about the issue. Lou-Ellen asks whether your colleague, senior counsellor Monica is aware of the issue. You explain how Monica told you to wait a week and tell no-one.

The General Manager is shocked and outraged. She is very concerned about Cherie's wellbeing. She is also concerned about the possibility that more clients may have been abused or mistreated. In addition, she is appalled at the response of the senior counsellor.

Lou-Ellen asks you to work with her on the following actions:

• Firstly, write an Incident Report to ensure the alleged incident is properly documented.
• Secondly, the General Manager would like you to convene a Safety and Respect team. The role of this team will be to meet, discuss ways to improve the workplace culture at First Access around safety and abuse and train all staff in correct abuse reporting procedures.