Policy Statement

Clients and carers right to privacy and confidentiality is recognised, respected and protected in all aspects of their contact with Gudjagang Ngara li-dhi. Gudjagang Ngara li-dhi will at all times operate according to the requirements of applicable privacy legislation. Gudjagang Ngara li-dhi will only request and retain information that is necessary to:

• assess a potential Client’s eligibility for a service;
• provide a safe and responsive service;
• monitor the services received;
• fulfil our duty of care responsibilities; and
• fulfil contract requirements to provide non identifying data and statistical information to a funding body.

Gudjagang Ngara li-dhi is committed to ensuring the confidentiality of all Client information, in all the forms in which it might be stored. All Client service records are to be kept up to date and stored securely. Clients will have access on request, to the information that Gudjagang Ngara li-dhi holds about them, and have the right to have any inaccurate information corrected. Client information will generally not be disclosed to a third party without the prior knowledge and consent of the Client or their appointed guardian, attorney or advocate. However, there could be occasions on which Gudjagang Ngara li-dhi must release personal information to a third party, and these will be explained to each Client before personal information is collected in the Assessment Interview.

These occasions will include, but not necessarily be limited to the following:

(1)        The exercise of duty of care

Occasionally, there might be conflicts between Gudjagang Ngara li-dhi and clients.

Duty of care to the Client and the duty to maintain privacy and respect confidentiality. If there are concerns that a Client might cause harm to himself/herself, or pose a threat to another individual or group, or that someone else poses a threat to a Client, confidentiality might need to be broken to ensure the safety of the individuals or group concerned.

(2)        Fulfilling legal obligations

Confidentiality might need to be broken in order for Gudjagang Ngara li-dhi to comply with its obligations at law.

Personal information such as:

• • medical conditions and health status;
  • racial or ethnic background;
  • political opinions and membership of political organisations;
  • religious and philosophical beliefs and/or affiliations;

• employment, qualifications and/or industrial affiliations;
• sexual preferences or practices; and
• criminal records are not to be collected and recorded without the Clients consent.