Privacy and Dignity
Policy
Companionkare is committed to implementing a system to ensure each participant will receive quality services and supports that respect and protect their dignity and right to privacy.
Companionkare ensures:
Consistent processes and practices are in place that respects and protect the personal privacy and dignity of each participant.
Each participant is advised of confidentiality policies using the language, mode of communication and terms that the participant is most likely to understand.
Each participant understands and agrees to what personal information will be collected and the reason, including recorded material in audio and/or visual format
Procedure
At Companionkare, we will ensure each participant will receive quality services and supports that respect and protect their dignity and right to privacy by complying with the ‘Privacy Act 1988’ and the ‘NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Framework’ requirements and other legal obligations.
To ensure privacy for the Participant when discussing sensitive or personal matters, Companionkare will only collect personal information, which is necessary for the provision of services and supports and given voluntarily to the Provider.
‘Privacy & Confidentiality Policy’ and ‘Participant Consent Policy’ have been documented in the ‘Participant Handbook’ and will be communicated with each participant at the initial assessment process.
Companionkare will make sure that each participant understands and acknowledges what type of personal information, including recorded material in audio and/or visual format, will be collected and for what reason.
All personal and confidential information will only be collected, used, retained and disclosed by obtaining the Participant’s consent. Please refer to the ‘Privacy & Confidentiality Policy’ in this ‘Participant Handbook’.
Companionkare will provide an interpreter if required for communication with the participant and respect to work with participant’s interpreter or representatives. Regular communications with participants have been planned and performed in a way that is identified during the initial assessment process and documented in the ‘Participant Assessment & Support Plan’.
Participant’s dignity and right to privacy is also referred to in the ‘Service Agreement’.
A copy of the ‘Service Agreement’ and ‘Participant Handbook’ will be provided to each participant.
Employees and workers are trained and inducted regarding privacy and dignity policy. They have read, understood and acknowledged this policy as well as the organisational requirements outlined in the ‘Worker Handbook’ through the induction process.
Independence and Informed Choice
Policy
Companionkare is committed to implementing a system to ensure each participant will receive quality services and supports that provide informed choices as well as exercise control to them and maximise their independence relating to the supports provided.
Companionkare ensures:
Active decision-making and individual choice is supported for each participant, including the timely provision of information using the language, mode of communication and terms that the participant is most likely to understand.
Each participant’s right to the dignity of risk in decision-making is supported. When needed, each participant is supported to make informed choices about the benefits and risks of the options under consideration.
Each participant’s autonomy is respected, including their right to intimacy and sexual expression.
Each participant has sufficient time to consider and review their options and seek advice if required, at any stage of support provision, including assessment, planning, provision, review and exit.
Each participant’s right to access an advocate (including an independent advocate) of their choosing is supported, as is their right to have the advocate present
Procedure
At Companionkare, the participant’s autonomy to make their individual choices, as well as their right to intimacy and sexual expression, is respected.
‘Decision-making Policy’ has been developed and documented in the ‘Participant Handbook’.
The benefits and risks of the participant’s options and decisions will be advised to the participant.
We will allow sufficient time for the participant to consider and review their options and seek advice at any time.
We respect the participant’s right to access an advocate. Please refer to the ‘Right to access an advocate Policy’ in the ‘Participant Handbook’.
‘Authority to engage an advocate’ form will be completed and signed by the Participant to authorise the nominated advocate to speak, act or write on the Participant’s behalf to promote, protect and defend the welfare of and justice for the Participant.
Companionkare will provide an interpreter if required for communication with the participant and respect to work with participant’s interpreter or representatives. Regular communications with participants have been planned and performed in a way that is identified during the initial assessment process and documented in the ‘Participant Assessment & Support Plan’.
Participant’s right to access and engage an advocate is also referred to in the ‘Service Agreement’.
A copy of the ‘Service Agreement’ and ‘Participant Handbook’ will be provided to each participant.