PREVENTING AND RESPONDING TO ABUSE, NEGLECT AND EXPLOITATION of PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY Policy Statement: Continuity care is committed to preventing and responding to the abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability. Continuity Care will: •        Ensure that the health, safety and wellbeing of clients in all provided disability services is the paramount consideration in service provision and that clients are provided with maximum protection from abuse, neglect and exploitation. •        Promote a culture which adheres to principles of prevention of abuse, neglect and exploitation •        Use strategies to prevent the abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability include the reduction of isolation, and the enhancement of social connections. •        Establish systems to prevent the occurrence or recurrence of abuse, neglect and exploitation within the service delivery context.

PRINCIPLES of IDENTIFICATION of ABUSE NEGLECT and EXPLOITATION •        Early intervention approaches are implemented for the identification of the abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability, taking particular care in known risk situations, both systemic and individual. •        Regular system reviews are in place so that gaps which may contribute to a person experiencing abuse, neglect or exploitation are identified and remedied. Principles of Effective Response •        Staff are committed to reporting and openly disclosing any suspected or alleged incidents of abuse, neglect and exploitation. Protections are afforded any person who makes a public interest disclosure, in accordance with the Public Interest Disclosure Act 2010 (see section 36). •        Any suspected or alleged incidents of abuse, neglect and exploitation of clients are reported in line with the requirements of the department’s Critical Incident Reporting Policy. •        Specific consideration is given to individual, organizational and systemic issues around client-to-client abuse. •        Clients who experience abuse, neglect or exploitation have the right to: − complain about the service they receive or any form of abuse, neglect or exploitation experienced within departmentally provided disability services without fear of retribution − pursue grievances and complaints and fair and equitable access to the criminal justice system without fear of the services being discontinued or recriminations from service providers; and − access appropriate support services to assist with the effects of abuse, neglect and exploitation where appropriate. •        Any person who reports suspected or alleged incidents of abuse, neglect and exploitation of a client has the right to have their safety and rights respected and safeguarded. •        Families and careers who have identified and reported incidents of abuse, neglect and exploitation have the right to be provided with supports for the response to incidents of abuse, neglect and exploitation. Principles of Service Development, Coordination and Delivery •        Service reforms to prevent, identify and respond to the abuse, neglect and exploitation of clients are consistent with the principles of the Disability Services Act 2006. •        Services are designed and implemented as part of local coordinated service systems and integrated with services and supports generally available to members of the community. •        Individual and environmental risk assessments inform service provision and protect clients. •        Services meet the needs of clients experiencing additional barriers because of their age and gender or because of their rural and remote location. Principles of Workforce and Workplace Reform •        Good practice in behavior intervention and management is promoted and resourced. •        The workplace culture supports continuous learning and professional development to respond to the needs of individuals being supported. Objectives This policy aims to ensure disability rights conferred by the Disability Services Act 2006 are upheld through: •        promoting safer communities and better-quality services to clients through the implementation of effective measures to prevent, identify and respond to abuse, neglect and exploitation; and •        ensuring that clients are provided with adequate and appropriate supports for the response to incidents of abuse, neglect and exploitation. Restrictive Practices It is unlikely that Continuity Care will provide services in situations where restrictive behaviour practices are considered.  If such a situation arises, procedures according to the Disability Services Act 2006 will be followed. Restrictive practice means any of the following practices used to respond to the behaviour of an adult with an intellectual or cognitive disability that causes harm to the adult or others— (a) containing or secluding the adult; (b) using chemical, mechanical or physical restraint on the adult; (c) restricting access of the adult. (Disability Services Act 2006) This policy forms part of a framework of measures aimed at protecting the health, well-being and safety of people with disability. It complements other safeguards provided to people with disability through the Disability Services Act 2006 and the Guardianship and Administration Act 2000.

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