Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation
Principles for preventing all forms of abuse, neglect and exploitation of clients
Overview
Introduction
HWH recognises that every person has a right to live free from the fear of violence, abuse, harm, neglect and exploitation regardless of gender, age, disability, background or any other characteristic. We are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all clients we provide services to.
HWH recognises that every person has a right to live free from the fear of violence, abuse, harm, neglect and exploitation regardless of gender, age, disability, background or any other characteristic. We are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all clients we provide services to.
Any alleged, suspected or act of abuse, neglect, or exploitation is a reportable incident, and we report them to the NDIS Commission, police and any other relevant authority (see: Report the incident to NDIS).
Applies
- at all times and in all locations
- to all HWH representatives, including key managers and staff
Related Regulations
- National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (Cth)
- NDIS (Quality Indicators) Guidelines 2017 (Cth)
Policy
Preventing abuse and neglect
- HWH will provide our services in an environment free of abuse and neglect
- we will ensure that people with higher support needs and/or communication difficulties are well supported to enable the detection and prevention of abuse and neglect
- we will ensure our staff are trained to recognise, prevent or minimise the occurrence or recurrence of abuse and neglect of clients.
Responding to abuse and neglect
HWH will respond to any case of abuse, neglect or exploitation by:
HWH will respond to any case of abuse, neglect or exploitation by:
- promoting a culture of no retribution for reporting suspected cases of abuse or neglect
- escalating all alleged or suspected incidents of abuse or neglect to key management immediately
- ensuring any victim of suspected or alleged abuse or neglect is adequately supported by an independent person such as a relative, friend, advocate or legal practitioner
- responding promptly and sensitively where an alleged case of abuse or neglect has occurred, to protect the person from further harm, and coordinating appropriate responses in line with our duty of care obligations
- where relevant (especially for criminal acts), preserving and recording the evidence and maintaining the scene of the incident by taking photos and protecting any personal articles relevant to the incident
- Complete an Incident Report recording what is known about the incident, including the services and people involved and any witnesses
- informing clients about what is going to happen before taking action and throughout any response to abuse and neglect
- ensuring appropriate physical, emotional and psychological support is available to and easily accessible by a person following a report or allegation of abuse or neglect
- ensuring the victim, family, guardian or other support person has the choice of pursuing the matter through the legal system and be supported to access advice and services required.
Abuse and neglect of responsibilities
- all HWH staff are responsible for providing our services in a manner consistent with the Code of Conduct and treating clients with respect and dignity at all times
- We are responsible for responding promptly and sensitively to protect the victim from further harm
- Our key management personnel are responsible for ensuring all staff and volunteers are aware of, trained in, compliant with, and implement the policies and processes to prevent and respond to abuse, neglect and exploitation of our clients
- These key management personnel are responsible for informing the appropriate authorities (e.g. the police), and the victim’s family, guardian, or substitute decision-maker of alleged or suspected incidents of abuse or neglect, unless the guardian or decision-maker is the alleged or suspected perpetrator
- all HWH staff and witnesses will cooperate with the investigations of police or other external agencies.
What is not abuse and neglect
- to restrain a client by an approved behaviour support plan authorised by a restricted practices authorisation mechanism
- to take reasonable steps to disarm a client seeking to harm themselves or others
- to separate clients who are fighting
- to move a client out of harm’s way
- to restrain a client from causing intentional property damage in self-defence or defence of others.
Breach of abuse and neglect policy
- Any HWH workers found to be perpetrating any form of abuse or neglect will be subject to disciplinary action, including termination of employment.
- In addition, any attempt to cover up or report suspected or actual incidents of abuse will lead to disciplinary action, including termination of employment.