Possability - Working Together (Easy Read)

EASY READ

Working together: Our policies and practices 1 | Working together

Contents 1.

Contents

2

2.

About this book

4

3.

Welcome

5

4.

Your information and your privacy

7

5.

Consent

8

6.

How we support you 6.1. Your Support Professionals

9 10

7.

7.1.

7.2.

7.3.

7.4.

7.5.

7.6.

7.7.

Your NDIS funding Program of Supports Shadow shifts Ice Breaker Service Cancellations Travel Transferring service provider Giving notice

11 12 13 13 14 14 15 16

8.

Your rights

17

9.

Your responsibilities

19

2 | Working together

10.

We listen to you

20

11.

Having your say

21

12. Using an advocate 12.1. Community Visitors Scheme

22 23

13.

24

Managing incidents

14. Stopping abuse 14.1. Looking after children and vulnerable people 14.2. Professional boundaries

25 26 27

15.

28

Restrictive practices

16. Your health and safety 16.1. Your medication

29 30

17.

Looking after your property and your money

31

18.

Being ready for an emergency

32

19.

Contacts for advocacy and complaints

34

3 | Working together

About this book

About this book

About About this this book book This book is about Possability and you as a

This book is about Possability and you as resident. a participant.

This book book is is about about Possability Possability and and you you as as aa This This book is about Possability and you as a resident.

It tells you about your rights and what we towe resident. resident.

It tells you how we work with you to make do sure protect them. always understand your needs.

It tells tells you you how how we we work work with with you you to to make make sure sure we we It It tells you how we work with you to make sure we It also tells you about how we work with you always understand your needs.

We have written ityour in an easy to read way. to always understand needs. always understand your needs. make sure we always understand your needs.

We use pictures to explain things.

We have written written it it in an an easy easy to to read read way. way.

We We have have written writtenititin aneasy EasytoRead We have ininan read way. way.

We use pictures pictures to explain explain things.

We We use use pictures to to explain things. things.

We use pictures to explain things.

You can ask for help to read this book.

A friend, family member orthis support person may You can can ask for help to read book.

You ask for help to read this book.

You can ask for help to read this book.

You can ask for help to read this book. be able to help you.

A friend, friend, family family member member or or support support person person may may A A friend, family member or support person may befriend, able to to help help you. you. be able A member or support person may be able tofamily help you. be able to help you.

Some words in this book are hard.

The first time we write aare hard word it is in purple.

Some words in this book hard.

Some words Some wordsin inthis thisbook bookare arehard. hard.

Some words in this book are hard.

We first write what hard word means.

The time wethe write a hard word it is in in purple.

The The first first time time we we write write a a hard hard word word it it is is in purple. purple.

The first time we write a hard word it is in purple.

We write write what what the the hard hard word word means. means.

We We write what the hard word means.

Keep this book so you can read it again.

Keep this book so you can cancontact: read it it again.

Then we write means.

Keep book so you read If youthis have any what questions Keep this book so youthe canhard readword it again. again.

If you you have any any questions contact: contact: If IfName you have have any questions questions contact: (House Supervisor) _______________________________ Name (House (House Supervisor) Supervisor) _______________________________ Name Phone(House ________________________________________________ Name Supervisor) _______________________________ _______________________________ Phone ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________ Phone Phone ________________________________________________

4 | Working together

Working together: How we work with you Working together: How we work with you Working Working together: together: How How we we work work with with you you

3 3

Welcome Welcome Welcome Welcome Our employees Welcome to Possability!

Welcome to Possability!

Possabilitytoemployees will always treat you with respect.

Welcome Welcome toPossability!

Possability!

Respect means talking to you nicely.

Respect means listening to you.

Respect means treating you right for your age.

Our employees areofgood at working with people.

Wework work withlots lots people with disability disability in Victoria We with of people with in and Tasmania.

We with lots ofofpeople with disability Victoria We train them to you the services youinneed.

Wework work with lotsgive people with disability in Victoria Victoria and Tasmania and Tasmania. and Tasmania.

We also train our employees to help you learn new skills.

You can help us hire the right people

Our services are specially designed for your needs.

We want ourare employees be the best kindneeds. of people Our services are specially to designed for Our services specially designed foryour you and Our services are specially designed for your needs.

Wework wantwith to help to you.you reach your goals. your needs We want to help you reach your goals.

We want to help you reach your goals.

We want to help you reach your goals

Sometimes we will ask you and our other Participants Wehelp want give you the very bestemployees. services. to ustochoose new Possability We want to give you the very best services.

Wewant wantto togive give you the very best services.

We want you to you be happy with our services.

For example, you could help us interview people who We the very best services We want you to be happy with our services. want to work with Possability.

We want you to be happy with our services.

We will do our best for you.

In an interview you will be able to ask some questions.

And then you will be able to help us decide who should get a job with Possability.

4 4

Possability Possability

5 | Working together Working together: How we work with you

We know This book that tellsyour you needs can change.

We know that your needs can change.

This bookthat tellsyour youneeds can change.

We know •ThisAbout your rights book tells you [ How we make sure we give you the support you •This What we doyou to protect your rights book tells want and need [ How we make sure we give you the support you andmake needsure we give you the support you [ want How we want and need About your rights as a resident with Possability your rightssure as a resident withthe Possability •[[ About Howwe wedo make give you support What to protectwe your rights [ About your rights as a resident with Possability you want need your rights [ What we doand to protect to protect your rights •[ What Howwe wedo help you achieve your goals [

We want you to be happy with our service.

We want you to be happy with our service.

This book tells you and your family how we will work We We wantwill you be best happy •with dotoour forwith youour service. you totells make happen.

This book youthis and your family how we will work •with tells you and yourhow family we you booklet totells make this happen.

ThisThis book you and your family wehow will work withwill youwork to make withthis youhappen. to make this happen.

Working together: How we work with you

6 | Working together

Working together: How we work with you Working together: How we work with you

5 5 5

Your information 13. Your information 13. information and your privacy andYour your privacy 13.

Your information

and your privacy 13.

Your information and your privacy If we we need need information information about Ifand aboutyou, you,we wewill willask askyou first. your privacy If we need information about you, we will ask you first.

you first to get information about you from family If If we we need need information about you, we will ask you first. members, or others, willwe ask forfrom your If to get information about you family If we we need need carers, information aboutwe you, will ask you first.

If we need to get information about you from family consent first. members, carers, or others, we will ask for your If we need to get information about you from members, carers, or others, we will ask forfrom yourfamily If we need to get information about you consent first. your family, carers, or other people, we will ask consent first. members, carers, or others, we will ask for your for your consent first consent first.

We ask you to sign a consent form when you start with Possability.

We ask you to sign a consent when you Consent is when you say it is form OK before we start with We ask you to sign a consent form when you start with Possability. do something If you just let us know.

Possability.

We askchange you toyour sign mind a consent form when you start with If you change your mind just let us know.

Possability.

If you change your mind just let us know.

If you say yes, we can do it If you change your mind just let us know.

If you say no, we will not do it Sometimes we might have to give information about you to someone outside Possability.

Sometimes we might have to give information about Sometimes we might might have to Sometimes we have togive giveinformation informationabout you to someone outside Possability.

We will tell you why. you toyou someone outside Possability.

Sometimes might have to give information about about towe someone outside Possability We will tell you why. you to someone outside Possability.

We for your We will will ask tell you why.consent first.

We will for your consent first.

We will will ask tell you you why.

We whyconsent first.

We will tell ask for your We your consent first.you in a locked file in We will will ask keepforinformation about We your consent first our office orfor computer.

We will will ask keep information about you in a locked file in We will keep information about you in a locked file in our office or computer.

Possability employees can only see your information our office or computer.

We only will keep information about you in a locked file inif We collect the information we need they reallyor need to. can only see your information if Possability employees our office computer.

Possability employees they really need to. can only see your information if Possability employees must respect yourinformation privacy. theykeep reallyitneed to. place Possability employees can only see your if We in a safe Possability employees must respect your privacy. they really need to.

Possability employees must respect your privacy.

Possability employees respect We only look at it whenmust we need to.your privacy.

7 | Working together Working together: How we work with you

27

12. Consent

Consent

Possability will ask you is OK OK before before we we do some Consent is when you sayif itit is things. This is called asking for your consent. do something If you give consent it means you are saying yes to what is being asked.

If you say yes, we can do it If you say no, we will not do it

12. Consent Consent 12.

For example, we may need information about your medication so we can support you take it safely.

For example, we might need information about It might help if we can talk to your doctor. your medication so we can support you to take will ask for your consent before we talk to your itWe safely Possability will ask you if it is OK before we do some doctor.

Possability will ask you if it isfor OKyour before we do some things. This is called asking consent. fordoctor your consent.

Itthings. might This help isif called we talkasking to your If you can’t give consent it meanson you areown saying yes giving to what make a decision your about If give it means you arethe saying what is you being asked. consent, weconsent will make sure you get help yes andto advice is being asked.

We will ask your consent before we talk to you need. your doctor For example, we can help you get advice from a guardian or from an advocate. we may need information about your IfFor youexample, cannot make a decision about giving For example, we may need information about your medication so we cansure support yousome take help it safely. consent we will make you get medication so we can support you take it safely.

It might help if we can talk to your doctor.

It helpyou if we talk to your doctor.

Wemight can help getcan advice from a guardian We will ask for your consent before we talk to your orWe advocate will ask for your consent before we talk to your doctor. doctor.

If you can’t make a decision on your own about giving If you a decision on your own about It’s OK can’t to change your mind about consent, wemake will make sure you getconsent the help andgiving advice consent, we will make sure you get the help and advice you need. you need.

You tell us we if you change your mind.

Forcan example, canwant helpto you get advice from a For example, we can help you get advice from a guardian or from an advocate. guardian or from an advocate.

26

Possability

8 | Working together

We will will support support you you to to be be more more independent independentand and live the the way way you you want. want.

Independent is How Independentwe is when when you you do do things things by by yourself. yourself.

1. How we work with you support you We We will will help help you: you: We will will support support you and We you to to be livemore yourindependent best life possible [live Get out in the community theout wayinyou [ Get thewant. community

1. How we work with you

[[ Learn daily like and cooking Learn daily living living skills like shopping and cooking Independent is when doshopping things yourself.

We will support youskills toyou making your by own choices and decisions

[We Make friends will support you to in becontrol more independent [ Make friends We will will help help you: We you to be while you: and live the way you want. [ Get out in the community isthe when you do things by yourself.

•[Independent Get out community Learn dailyinliving skills like shopping and cooking • Make friends

Lead aahelp healthy willhealthy you:life Lead healthy life •[[We Be Make friends outdaily in theliving community •[ Get Learn skills like shopping and cooking [ Learn daily living skills like shopping and cooking

We always ask what We always ask you what supportyou andwant. services [ Lead Make [ afriends healthy life We always ask you you what services services you want. you want We We make make sure sure you you have have your your say say about about our ourservices servicesand and how we can get better. how we can get better.

13. Your information and your privacy

We make sure you make your own decisions about our services

6 6

6

Possability Possability

If we need information you,better we will ask you first.

We will ask youyou how weabout can get We always ask what services you want. [ Lead a healthy life If we need to get information about you from family We make sure you have your say about our services and members, carers, or others, we will ask for your We to better. you. howwill welisten can get consent first.

| Working together We ask you to sign a consent9 form when you start with We always ask you what services you want.

Possability.

Possability

Our employees

Possability employees will always treat you with respect.

Your Support Respect means talking to you nicely.

Professionals Respect means listening to you.

Respect means treating you right for your age.

It’s important youare have theat right Support Our employees good working with people.

Professionals We train them to give you the services you need.

Wehelp alsoyou traintoour employees to help you learn We find Support Professionals you new skills. can work with

You can help us hire the right people Our We tryemployees to include you in interviews for your

We want our employees to be the best kind of people Support Possability employees will always treat you with respect. to work Professionals with you.

Respect means talking to you nicely.

An interview is a meeting where you can ask Respect means listening to you. questions Respect means treating youand rightour forother your age.

Sometimes we will ask you Participants You can ask to meet them before they start to help us choose Possability employees.

Our employees arenew good at working with people. working with you For train example, could help interview We themyou to give you theus services youpeople need. who want to work with Possability.

We also train our employees to help you learn new skills.

If we need information you,a we will ask you first.

You can tell us if you do about not want particular Support Professional If we need to get information about you from family members, carers, others, we to willask asksome for your In an interview youorwill be able questions.

You can help us hire the right people consent first.

We will work with so we and who will And then you willyou be able tounderstand help us decide We want our employees to be the best kind of people make changes. should get a job with Possability. to work with you.

13. Your information and your privacy

We ask you to sign a consent form when you start with Possability.

If you change your mind just let us know.

Sometimes we will ask you and our other Participants Working together: How we work with you to help us choose new Possability employees.

For example, you could help us interview people who want to work with Possability.

Sometimes we might have to give information about you to someone outside Possability.

10 | Working together

We will tell you why.

Your NDIS funding We work with you to make sure your NDIS funding spending matches your NDIS plan We follow the NDIS rules

We have two types of services 1. Direct supports – when a Support Professional is with you supporting you to meet your goals

2. Non-face-to-face supports – when we do work that you don’t see that helps with your supports

11 | Working together

Program 12.Supports Consent of APossability Program ofwill Supports webefore can claim ask youisifaitway is OK we the do some supports we provide fromfor NDIS things. This is calledyou asking your consent.

Program of support

If you give consent it means you are saying yes to what

Itislets us put all the supports we provide to you being asked. into one program

Forcan example, may need information You leave awe Program of Support with 2about your medication weeks’ noticeso we can support you take it safely.

It might help if we can talk to your doctor.

You can change your Program of Support every We will ask for your consent before we talk to your 12doctor. weeks If you can’t make a decision on your own about giving

Some Possability areyou onlyget available as and a advice consent, we willservices make sure the help Program of Support you need.

For example, we can help you get advice from a

One example is Supported Independent Living. guardian or from an advocate.

12 | Working together

Shadow shifts employees AOur shadow shift is where we introduce you to aPossability new Support Professional beforetreat theyyou startwith respect. employees will always working with you Respect means talking to you nicely. means listening you.

IfRespect you have complex needstothe NDIS allows us to claim for some Respect meansshadow treatingshifts you right for your age.

Our employees are good at working with people.

We train them to give you the services you need.

Ice Breaker Service You can help us hire the right people

We also train our employees to help you learn new skills.

We want our employees to be the best kind of people to work with you.

An ice breaker service is where we introduce you to a new Support Professional with someone you already know there too ask you and our other Participants ItSometimes is differentwe to awill shadow shift to help us choose new Possability employees.

Forcan example, youfee could help us interview people who We claim the from NDIS want to work with Possability.

If you want us to provide an ice breaker service let us know.

In an interview you will be able to ask some questions.

And then you will be able to help us decide who should get a job with Possability.

13 | Working together

Working together: How we work with you

Cancellations If you have to cancel a shift you need to let us know • •

Within 2 business days for supports that are under 8 hours Within 5 business days for supports that are 8 hours or more

If you do not let us know in time we have to claim the service

Travel We may need to claim travel costs from you if we need to pay a Support Professional to travel to work with you Sometimes travel costs can be claimed from your NDIS plan Sometimes we will have to bill you directly We will talk to you about this first.

14 | Working together

Transferring service provider You might decide to transfer to another service provider

Some of the reasons you might make this decision are • • • •

We do not meet your support needs You think another support provider will meet your needs better You are moving out of the area You do not need the service anymore

13. Your information and your privacy

If we information about you, we will ask you first.

We willneed respect your choice If we need to get information about you from family Itmembers, is always OK to come back to in ask the for future. carers, or others, weus will your consent first.

About this book

We ask you to sign a consent form when you start with book isorabout Possability as a AThis Guardian Possability mightand alsoyou make Possability. resident. this decision If you change your mind just let us know.

It tells you how we work with you to make sure we always understand your needs.

Sometimes we might have to give information about 15 |toWorking together We written itoutside in an easy read way. youhave to someone Possability.

We use pictures to explain things.

Some of the reasons we might make this decision are

No

• • • • •

The service you need is no longer provided or funded Our service is no longer right for you Our service is not meeting your needs Your choices and decision making are unsafe The solutions we have come up with are not working

We will talk to you and your support network first We will help to make any transfers as easy as possible for you.

Giving notice If you decide to transfer to another service or leave our service, you must • •

Give us 90 days’ notice for supported accommodation Give us 28 days’ notice for all other services

16 | Working together

2. Your rights 2. Your rights Your 2. Yourrights rights Your rights are very important to us.

Your rights rights are are very very important Your important to to us. us Rights are part of the law.

Your rights are of very to us.

Rights are part theimportant law.

Theyare tellhuman you how you should be treated.

They rights Rights part of the should law. be treated.

They tellare you how you Everyone hashow theyou same rights.

They tell you should be treated.

Everyone has the same rights.

Everyone has the same rights Everyone has the same rights.

Possability will always respect your rights.

Possability will always respect your rights.

Your are right part of You rights have the tothe belaw treated the same as Possability willright always yourthe rights.

You have the to respect be treated same as everyone else. everyone else.

You law havetells theus right torights be treated the same as The your We promise to do everything can make sure you everyone We promiseelse. to do everything wewe can toto make sure you arealways alwaystreated treatedfairly fairlyand andthat that you never abused. are you areare never abused.

We promise to do everything we can to make sure you The law tells us how you should be treated are always treated fairly and that you are never abused.

Possability will right always respect your rights as you Youhave havethe the beasasindependent independent You right totobe as you can be. can be.

You have the right to be as independent as you You have the right to be treated the same as Wewill willhelp helpyou youlearn learnthe theskills skills you need. can be.

We you need. everyone else We will help youyou learn skills you need.

Wewill willsupport support youtotothe make your own choices.

We make your own choices.

We will support you to make your own choices.

Youhave havethe theright rightto privacy.

You have the toto privacy.

You right feel safe You have the sure right to We can when you want Wewill willmake make sureyou youprivacy. canbebealone alone when you want to tobe bealone. alone.

You the right to your We have will make sure you can beliefs be alone when you want to be alone.

You have the rights to express your sexuality We keep your own Wewill willmake makesure surethat thatyou youcan can keep your own things safe. things You have the right to privacy We will safe. make sure that you can keep your own

things safe.

Working together: How we work with you 11 17 | Working Working together: together How we work with you

Working together: How we work with you

11

This book tells you [

How we make sure we give you the support you want and need

Ourpromise servicesthat are specially designed for your needs.

We [ About your rights as a resident with Possability We want to help you reach your goals. [ we treat do toyou protect rights • What We will withyour respect • We will listen to you • We will help you achieve your goals We want to give you the very best services. wantwill you be best happy oursure service.

•We We dotoour towith make you are We want you to be happy with our services. treated fairlyyour family how we will work Thisalways book tells you and youwill to make happen.

•withWe do ourthis best to make sure you are never abused • We will give you the best support we can.

4

Possability

Working together: How we work with you

18 | Working together

5

Your responsibilities

3. Your responsibilities

These are the things we expect from you • To respect the rights of Possability Support Professionals and other workers These are the things we expect from • To respect the rights of other participants you and from all residents.

• To respect the rights of people in [ Please let us know if you need help with something the community • To treat everybody nicely

3. Your responsibilities

These areif you theneed things Let us know help we with expect somethingfrom [ Please be from polite to employees and treat them you and allourresidents. with respect [ Please let us know if youisneed helpyou with something Let us know if something making unhappy

Please be polite to our employees and treat them with You can also us get get better betterat atwhat whatwe wedo. do You canrespect also help help us [

Tell us if there is something you don’t like about Tellour us services if there is something you don’t like about Possability You will never get in trouble for complaining. [

We will always try to make things better.

You can also help us get better at what we do. [ Tell us if there is something you don’t like about You will never get in trouble for complaining our services

You will never get in trouble for complaining.

We will always try to make things better.

We will always try to make things better.

19 | Working together

We listen to you We think listening is important

Consumer forums

Consumer forums are another waydifferently to help us hear We know everyone communicates what you want to say.

Consumer forums are meetings that are run by an outside advocacy group.

11. Using an advocate

You can tell us At these meetings you can talk about things that matter to you.

•You Ifcan you aretalk notabout happyany with our service also problems you are having You have the right to make your own decisions.

•withIfPossability. you do not understand something Sometimes people need support to make hard •Possability If you need to change something can then fix those problems. decisions.

• If you need to cancel a shift ThisIfisyou where an advocate can help.

Visitors •Community need help You can also raise issues with Community Visitors.

Consumer We can listenforums by

Community Visitors are volunteers whoyou visitspeak houses An advocate is someone who can help up.

•Consumer Talking forums one-on-one are another way to help us hear like yours in Victoria.

They will make sure you are always listened to. you want to say.

•whatHaving house meetings TheyPlanning check toforums make sure you are treated with respect •Consumer forums are meetings and are receiving good support. that are run by an outside advocacy group.

They also talk to residents to see if you have any issues or concerns.

At these meetings you can talk about things that Your be a memberwe of can yourfind family, matter to you.

If youadvocate need helpcould to communicate youa carer Surveys or a friend. an advocate You can also talk about any problems youand are having We also do surveys to find out what you your There are also advocacy agencies. with Possability. family think about our services.

There is a list some of these on page 34.

Possability canof then fix questions those problems.

These surveys ask you about things that matter to you.

Community Visitors

You answer whatever you find like on surveys.

Ourcan employees can help you an these advocate.

You can also raise issues with Community Visitors.

You have can to put on the survey.

Yourdon’t advocate beyour with name you whenever you are talking Community Visitors are volunteers who visit houses to Possability. You can ask your advocate to speak for like yours in Victoria. you at any time.

They check to make sure you are treated with respect 20 | Working together and are receiving good support.

Working together: How we work with you 17 They also talk to residents to see if you have any

6.

Complaints 6.

Having your 6. Complaints Complaints

say

It is OK to complaint.

We want you tomake tell us ifa something is a problem It is OK to make a complaint.

It is OK to make a complaint. for you or makes you you unhappy A complaint is when say you are not happy with A complaint is when you say you are not happy with A complaint is when you you are not happy with something and you want itsay fixed. something and you want it fixed. something and it fixed.

We want you toyou tell want us when something makes you happy

It is OK to make a complaint!

It is OK to a complaint!

Listening tomake you helps us get better at It is OK to make a complaint!

At Possability there are people who listen. supporting you At Possability there are people who listen.

At Possability there are people who listen.

You will never get in trouble for complaining.

You will never get in trouble for complaining.

You will never get in trouble for complaining.

We take your complaints seriously.

We take your complaints seriously.

We take your complaints seriously.

We always try to fix the problem quickly.

We always try to fix the problem quickly.

We always try to fixif the quickly.

You can complain you problem do not like something You can complain if you do not like something You can complain if you do not like something that we do.

When you that we do.tell us about a problem or something that we do. you unhappy it is called a complaint that You makes can complain if something is making you unhappy.

You can complain if something is making you unhappy.

You can complain if something is making you unhappy.

You have the right to make a complaint Your family members or your advocate can also Your family members or your advocate can also Your family or your advocate can also complain formembers you. complain for you.

You can make a complaint to us complain for you.

We will listen to you We will do our best to make it better Tell us when we do a good job or when you are really Tell us when we do a good job or when you are really Tell us when do a good happy aboutwe something too!job or when you are really happy about something too! happy something too! to NDIS You canabout also make a complaint Hearing both your complaints and when we do a good Hearing both your complaints and when we do a good Hearing complaints andbetter. when we do a good job helpsboth us toyour make our services job helps us to make our services better. job can helps us to make ourdoservices We support you to this better.

18 18 18

Possability Possability Possability

21 | Working together

Using an advocate An advocate is a person who supports you Consumer forums • They can help you to communicate forums are to another to help us hear •Consumer They can help you makeway decisions you can wanthelp to say.

•whatThey to protect your rights Consumer forums are meetings that are run by an outside advocacy group.

We can help you toyou findcan antalk advocate if you that At these meetings about things matter to you. want one You can also talk about any problems you are having withcontact Possability.

The details are at the end of this booklet Possability can then fix those problems.

Community Visitors You can also raise issues with Community Visitors.

Community Visitors are volunteers who visit houses like yours in Victoria.

They check to make sure you are treated with respect and are receiving good support.

They also talk to residents to see if you have any issues or concerns.

Surveys We also do surveys to find out what you and your family think about our services.

These surveys ask you questions about things that matter to you.

You can answer whatever you like on these surveys.

You don’t have to put your name on the survey.

22 | Working together

Working together: How we work with you

17

Community Visitors Scheme This is available to participants in Queensland and Victoria

The Community Visitor makes sure you are receiving good and safe services They help to identify and report issues and problems They make sure you are being heard We can help you to use the Community Visitors Scheme The contact details are at the end of this booklet.

23 | Working together

Managing incidents When something unsafe or dangerous happens it is called an incident We do our best to keep everyone safe We do our best to make sure incidents do not happen

Plan

We have a plan that tells us what to do when an incident happens When an incident happens we have to follow the plan

If you were part of the incident we will talk to you about it If you were affected by the incident we will talk to you about it

Sometimes we must also tell the NDIS about incidents If this needs to happen we will tell you.

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7. Complaints Stopping abuse 6.

Stopping abuse Possability does everything we can to make sure no one We veryto best to make sure no one is abused It isourOK make a complaint. is abused.

A complaint is when you say you are not happy with Ifyou youor or your a member of your familythink thinksomeone someone has Ifsomething networks andsupport you want it fixed. been treated badly or abused, has been abused please tell us please tell us so we can do something about it.

Our employees must also tell tell us It is employees OK to makemust a complaint!

Our also us ifif they they think thinksomeone has been abused. someone has been At Possability there abused are people who listen.

The most important thing for us is to look after anyone You will get in trouble for complaining. whomost hasnever been abused.

The important thing for us is to look after

6.

Complaints We take yourhas complaints seriously.about different things We will also give you information anyone who been abused 7.

Stopping abuse you can do to stop the abuse.

We always try to fix the problem quickly.

Weismay have report abuse thesomething Police.

You can complain if youa docomplaint. nottolike OK totomake IfIt you have been abused you can tell us that we do.

Possability does everything can tonot make surewith no one A complaint is when you saywe you are happy You can complain if something is making you unhappy. is abused. and you want it fixed. something It’s not your fault If you or a member of your family think someone has been badly please us so we can We willtreated support youor toabused, make your owntell decisions do something about it. about what to do Your family members or your advocate can also after children ItLooking is OK to make a complaint! complain for you.

Our employees must tell uswho if they think someone At Possability arealso people listen.

Looking after the safety ofNDIS children and young people We might havethere to tell the about the abuse has been abused. is very important to us.

You will never get in trouble for complaining.

The mostour important thing for us is to look after anyone We train staff carefully.

We take your complaints who has been abused. seriously.

We to fix problem quickly.

We always will alsotry give youthe information about different things We follow strict rules to make sure children Tell us when we do a good job or youare aresafe really you can complain do to stopif the You youabuse. do not likewhen something and we areabout not abused. happy something too! that do.

Wemight may have abuse to about the Police.

We havetotoreport tell the Police the abuse Hearing both your complaints and when we a good You can complain if something is making youdo unhappy. job helps us to make our services better.

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Possability Possability

Your family members or your advocate can also complain for you.

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Looking after children

Looking after the safety of children and young people

who has been abused.

The most important thing for us is to look after anyone who has been abused.

We will also give you information about different things you canalso do to stop the abuse. about different things We will give you information you can do to stop the abuse.

We may have to report abuse to the Police.

We may have to report abuse to the Police.

Looking after children and vulnerable people When someone is vulnerable Looking after childrenthey are at risk

Looking after children Looking after the safety of children and young people

Keeping children and people safe ispeople is very important us.vulnerable Looking after the to safety of children and young very important toto usus. is very important We train our staff carefully.

We train our staff carefully.

We follow strict rules to make sure children are safe and are not abused.

We train follow strict rules to make sure children are safe We our staff carefully and are not abused.

We follow strict rules to make sure children and vulnerable people are safe and are not abused

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Possability Possability

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who has been abused.

We will also give you information about different things you can do to stop the abuse.

Professional boundaries

We may have to report abuse to the Police.

Boundaries mark the lines between right and wrongafter children Looking Looking after the safety of children and young people must to stay isOur verystaff important us.in the right boundaries We train our staff carefully.

These are called Professional boundaries

Code of Conduct

We rulesto to know make sure safe Wefollow help strict our staff whatchildren is rightare from and are not abused.

wrong with training

We help our staff to know what is right and wrong with a Code of Conduct

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Possability

A Possability staff member should not • • • •

Give you their personal phone number Use your debit or credit cards Take your money Swear at you or treat you badly

If you are ever unhappy about the way a Possability staff member treats you please contact a supervisor.

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Restrictive practices 8. Restrictive Practices Sometimes people can get very angry and upset Sometimes people can get very angry and upset.

Sometimes cannot Sometimes they they can not stop stop themselves themselves.

This can be scary for them and for other people.

This can be scary for them and for other people

Restrictive things mightor services Restrictivepractices practicesare arethe things thatwe people mighttodo to keep people safe safe if they behave in a have dotototrykeep everybody dangerous way.

Restrictive takeor away people's They restrictpractices a person’scan rights freedom of rights or freedom to move around so: movement Possability only uses restrictive practices if there is no other choice.

We only use restrictive practices is no When people are upset we always iftrythere to understand why and help them. other choice.

We look at lots of other ways we can support people

Consumer forums so theypeople feel ok.

When are upset we always try to

Consumer forums another understand why andare help themway to help us hear what you want to say.

Consumer forums are meetings run by an We look at lots of other ways wethat can are support outsideso advocacy group. people they feel OK Please talk to us if you you can feeltalk worried At these meetings aboutabout things that matter to you. restrictive practices.

You can also talk about any problems you are having with Possability.

Possability can then fix those problems.

Community Visitors 28Community | Working together You can also raise issues with Visitors.

Community Visitors are volunteers who visit houses

Your health About this book and safety This health book isand about Possability and you astoaus.

Your safety is very important resident.

It tells you how we work with you to make sure we always understand your needs.

We have written it in an easy to read way.

To support you with your health and safety Wewill use pictures to explain things. we • Support your choices and decisions • Talk with you about your health and safety

You can ask for help to read this book.

•A friend, Work family with you to have healthy person lifestylemay member orasupport be able to help you.

Some words in this book are hard.

The first time we write a hard word it is in purple.

• Make sure our buildings and the places we Wevisit writewith what the hard word means. you are safe.

Keep this book so you can read it again.

If you have any questions contact: Name (House Supervisor) _______________________________ Phone ________________________________________________

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Your medication Part of our service might be to support you to take medication

We can help to make sure you take your medication safely We can help to make sure your medication is stored safely

Complex health care plan

If you need a Complex health care plan we will make sure the plan is followed so that you are safe.

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Looking after your property 14. Looking after your and your money property and money

It is important to keep your property and It is important to keep your property money safe.

and money safe.

Employees at Possability can help you look after the things you buy.

Wewill cando help write a list you of your things We ouryou best to help keep yourso you can keep them safe. things safe.

We will keep a copy of this list in case any of your things are lost or damaged.

Some things to do to keep your things safe • Write a list of your things •We Write youryou name ontoyour can teach how keepthing a budget.

A budget helps you plan what you are going to spend money on.in a safe place like a •yourKeep them •

locked drawer Insure them in case they get lost

We can support you to pay your bills.

We can support you to do your shopping.

•

Work with us to make sure any equipment you need like hoists and wheelchairs is looked after.

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Being ready for an emergency Sometimes things happen that make you unsafe like • • •

Fire Bad storms Illness

When this happens it is called an emergency It is important to have a plan in case of emergency The plan helps you know what to do to stay safe in the emergency

We have emergency plans for all our locations Emergency Plan

When we start working with you we will help you make your own plan

Sometimes we practice what to do in an emergency. This is called a drill.

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Contacts for advocacy and complaints Advocacy agencies – all states www.disabilityadvocacyfinder.dss.gov.au NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Commission – all States www.ndiscommission.gov.au Phone: 1800 035 544 TTY: 133 677 Community Visitors Scheme – Victoria www.publicadvocate.vic.gov.au Phone: 1300 309 337 TTY: 1300 305 612 Community Visitors Scheme – Queensland www.publicadvocate.qld.gov.au Phone: 1300 653 187 Email: publicgaurdian@publicguardian.qld.gov.au Guardianship and Administration – Tasmania www.guardian.tas.gov.au Phone: 1800 657 500 Email: guardianship@tascat.tas.gov.au

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Public Advocate – Victoria www.publicadvocate.vic.gov.au Phone: 1300 309 337 TTY: 1300 305 612

Public Advocate – Queensland www.publicadvocate.qld.gov.au Phone: 1300 653 187 Email: publicguardian@publicguardian.qld.gov.au

Victorian Disability Workers Scheme – Victoria www.vdwc.vic.gov.au Phone: 1800 497 132

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1300 067 067 www.possability.com.au @PossabilityAus 36 | Working together