Case supervisor excludes lesbian women
February 2018
Gretchen* is the legal guardian of her ex-partner’s children.
She felt the case worker from the service providing supervision for the children deliberately discriminated against her for being in a long-term same-sex relationship.
Gretchen felt the case worker failed to acknowledge her legal role as guardian, failed to consult with her about the children’s welfare and excluded her from case conferences and meetings.
Gretchen made a complaint of homosexual discrimination to ADNSW.
At conciliation, the service denied that the case worker had treated Gretchen less favourably because of her homosexuality, however they accepted the worker failed to notify Gretchen about the meetings.
The complaint was resolved when the service assigned a different case worker to the children and made a formal written agreement with Gretchen to include her in future meetings and conferences.
*Name has been changed to protect the privacy of the individual.
Last updated:
25 Jun 2021
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