Individual privacy, dignity, and respect policy

1. Individual privacy, dignity, and respect Policy

   1. Supported Lifestyle Services is committed to the respectful treatment of all individuals who access our services, with a clear regard to their dignity, privacy, confidentiality, and independence always. This policy outlines our commitment to compliance with the Privacy Act 2020 and the Health Information Privacy Code 2020 and our dedication to safeguarding the rights and personal information of those we serve.

   2. All employees are required to comply with this policy. Confidentiality of personal information shared by individuals will be maintained at all times, except where disclosure is necessary to prevent harm or is required by law, whether this information relates to our people, employees, advocates. suppliers, funders, or service partners.

Procedure

1. Supported Lifestyle Services respects the privacy of individuals and is committed to protecting their personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020.

2. Personal information collected from individuals will only be used for the purposes for which it was collected and will not be disclosed to third parties without consent, except where required by law.

3. We maintain appropriate security measures to safeguard personal information against unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction.

4. Individuals have the right to access and request correction of their personal information held by Supported Lifestyle Services in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020.

5. Individuals have the right to request information about how their personal information is collected, used, and disclosed.

6. Supported Lifestyle Services employees will seek informed consent from individuals before collecting, using, or disclosing their personal information, except where authorised by law or in emergency situations.

7. Our support staff are trained to handle personal information confidentially and to respect the privacy of individuals in all interactions.

8. The concepts of dignity and personal privacy are covered at induction, orientation, buddy shifts and ongoing training. 

9. Support staff receive training on their responsibilities and obligations under the Privacy Act 2020 as part of their core competencies and the annual training programme.

10. Where possible support staff will encourage their people to maintain control of their emotional and physical environment using the Enabling Goods Lives Principles.

11. Support staff will work in the least intrusive manner as possible (e.g., personal cares).

12. Privacy will be exercised for visual, auditory, and physical situations always. Care to be taken when other people are present.

13. Supported Lifestyle Services recognises that the people they support’s right to privacy and confidentiality must be balanced against our duty of care responsibilities and the need to provide a safe level of care.

14. Supported Lifestyle Services expect all our employees not to:

1. discuss one consumer with another

2. discuss aspects of a person’s care with their friends or family unless consent is given by the individual.

3. coordinate any services for their people i.e., GPs, nurses, other health care personnel unless granted approval from the management team.

4. release or share information without consent of the individual, except where disclosure is necessary to prevent harm or is required by law.

   1. Support staff are to notify their team leader/management team if there is a change in the person’s condition.

   2. Client confidentiality is vital to the integrity of relationship building.

   3. Individuals have the right to lodge a complaint or provide feedback regarding any privacy concerns or breaches they may experience.

   4. The Training Coordinator is the designated Privacy Officer responsible for ensuring compliance with the Privacy Act 2020, handling privacy inquiries, and addressing privacy concerns.

   5. Complaints regarding any privacy concerns or breaches of confidentiality, including inadvertent disclosure, will be promptly investigated, and appropriate measures will be taken to address and resolve the issue in accordance with the complaint process and the requirements of the Privacy Act 2020.

   6. Supported Lifestyle Services is committed to the preservation of our people’s ethnic, cultural, and spiritual values and beliefs.

   7. We will ensure that culturally safe services are practised and delivered. Supported Lifestyle Services will honour Right 1 under the Code of Health and Disability service Consumer Rights.