Code of Conduct
Your Generation Care Pty Ltd’s Code requires staff to adhere to the standards set out below.
Your Generation Care Pty Ltd’s comprehensive suite of policies, procedures, frameworks and guidelines support and guide the application of the Code and staff are always required to comply with these.
Act ethically, with integrity, honesty and transparency.
Staffs are required to:
- respect the privacy of people, their families, carers and advocates
- display professionalism while providing support services
- communicate in a language, form, manner and tone that enables people to understand the information provided and to make their preferences and needs known
- maintain appropriate professional boundaries, and act always to protect the boundaries of the professional relationship
- always recommend and provide supports that serve the needs and interests of clients
- never use the power they have over people for personal gain
- comply with all lawful and reasonable directions
- comply with all Your Generation Care Pty Ltd policy, procedures and guidelines
- perform their duties diligently to the standard reasonably required of them
- avoid conduct that could bring Your Generation Care Pty Ltd or any of its staff or clients into disrepute, including when using social media
- not absent themselves from the workplace without proper notification or reason, when
- meant to be at work
- be in a fit and proper condition to attend work and not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- dress in a way that is appropriate for the work they do
- hold and maintain credentials, checks, licences and/or registrations as may be required by law or reasonably required by Your Generation Care Pty Ltd
- continue to satisfy National Police Record checks during their employment and disclose any criminal charge and/or conviction that may impact their ability to undertake their responsibilities.
- disclose all personal or professional matters that may lead to actual or perceived conflicts of interest to their manager
- not engage in fraudulent or criminal behaviour, bribery or the inappropriate or unauthorised use of any Your Generation Care Pty Ltd resources
- accurately record, report, maintain and safeguard Your Generation Care Pty Ltd information
- respect and protect the physical and intellectual property of Your Generation Care Pty Ltd
- comply with all applicable laws, regulations, guidelines, standards, professional codes of conduct and ethics relating to their profession
- only give or receive gifts in line with the Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality Procedure
- report and act on any behavioural complaints, concerns or observed breaches regarding Your Generation Care Pty Ltd’s Code and/or the NDIS Code.
- Show respect for cultural differences when providing services
- respect religious or spiritual beliefs and practices that are different to their own
- ensure cultures and values that are different from their own are acknowledged and Respected be responsive to the needs, values and beliefs of people from diverse backgrounds
- actively listen to, and consider the values, beliefs and needs of individuals in relation to culture, faith, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexuality, age and disability
- be responsive to the unique needs, values and beliefs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- consult with families, carers, advocates and other supports to clarify cultural expectations when these are unclear or not currently being met
- actively promote cultural safety and inclusion.
- Provide services without engaging in abuse, exploitation, discrimination, harassment or neglect
- treat people with dignity and respect, and always uphold their human and legal rights
- never abuse, exploit, bully, harass, neglect or discriminate against a client or other staff member
- always take action to ensure a client they have reason to believe may have been abused, exploited, harassed or neglected receives appropriate support (for example, medical support, counselling and support to report abuse to the police)
- actively listen to clients and their families, carers and advocates to deliver support that gives priority to their interests and needs
- support clients to meaningfully engage with their local community and society
- exercise professional and ethical judgement when providing services
- collaborate with and treat each other in a way that promotes harmonious and productive working relationships
- take reasonable care to ensure their own safety and that of others in the workplace not discriminate against each other or clients
- provide services in the least restrictive manner and only ever use restrictive practices as a last resort strategy for the least time possible in full accordance with state and federal legislation, organisational and procedural requirements at Your Generation Care Pty Ltd.
- Report any form of abuse or suspected abuse
- take all allegations of abuse seriously.
- report any abuse or suspected abuse committed by colleagues, other workers, family members, carers, clients or community members to their supervisor or manager and, if necessary, other relevant authorities in line with Your Generation Care Pty Ltd’s reporting policy and procedures. This includes reporting incidents that raise concerns about the support provided by another worker.
- report abuse or suspected abuse to other authorities if they think Your Generation Care Pty Ltd has not acted on their first report and clients are at risk. Such authorities might include the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
- facilitate access to independent support, such as an advocacy service or the Office of the Public Advocate, where it is believed a person’s rights are not being upheld and or at a client’s request.
- participate in training, information sessions and supervision provided by Your Generation Care Pty Ltd that assists them to understand::
- what abuse is and its various forms
- the application of this code of conduct
- systems for complaints and incident management and to follow established procedures, this includes reportable incident obligations
- Not engage in sexual abuse or misconduct and must report any such conduct by other workers, clients, family members, carers or community members
- always report sexual misconduct and abuse, or suspicion of either.
- recognise the power imbalance between them and a person receiving their support and how this affects the kinds of behaviour that are appropriate.
- never engage in any form of sexual activity or behaviour with a person who they support, including sexual advances and sexual, personal or erotic comments.
- never engage in any sexual conduct with a person who they support, including actions committed by force, intimidation, coercion or manipulation.
Child Safety
- Promote the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.
- apply child safe principles as outlined in the draft National Principles for Child Safe Organisations developed by the Australian Human Rights Commission.
- observe child safe principles and expectations for appropriate behaviour towards and in the company of children, this includes supporting the safety, participation, wellbeing and empowerment of children and taking all reasonable steps to protect children from abuse.
- raise concerns with management if risks to child safety are identified in any of the activities, facilities, structures, procedures or staffing practices at Your Generation Care Pty Ltd.
- report any concern, allegation, disclosure or observation of child abuse to the relevant person or authority as outlined in Your Generation Care Pty Ltd’s reporting procedure and in line with mandatory reporting requirements, including the reportable conduct scheme.
- respect the privacy of children and their families by keeping all information regarding child protection concerns confidential, only discussing information with the relevant people to follow reporting procedure.
- treat all children with respect, regardless of race, colour, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, language, religion, political or other opinion, national, ethnic or social origin, culture, property, disability or other status.
- listen to and value children and young people’s ideas and opinions.
The NDIS Code of Conduct
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (Code of Conduct) Rules 2018 sets out the NDIS Code of Conduct, which applies to all NDIS providers and persons employed or otherwise engaged by them, regardless of whether they are registered.
The NDIS Code of Conduct supports the rights of people with disability in the National Disability Insurance Scheme to have access to safe and ethical support, and reflects the core values and principles set out in the National Standards for Disability Services, the National Mental Health Standards and the National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013.
In providing supports or services to people with disability, a person must:
- act with respect for individual rights to freedom of expression, self-determination and decision-making in accordance with applicable laws and conventions; and
- respect the privacy of people with disability; and provide supports and services in a safe and competent manner, with care and skill; and act with integrity, honesty and transparency; and
- promptly take steps to raise and act on concerns about matters that may impact the quality and
- safety of supports and services provided to people with disability; and
- take all reasonable steps to prevent and respond to all forms of violence against, and
- exploitation, neglect and abuse of, people with disability; and
- take all reasonable steps to prevent and respond to sexual misconduct.
NDIS Code of Conduct Guidance for Workers
All staff are required to read the NDIS Code of Conduct Guidance for Workers. This document provides guidance for workers on how they should apply the NDIS Code to their daily practice and consequences for breaching the NDIS Code.
Complying with Your Generation Care Pty Ltd’s Code and the NDIS Code Making good decisions.
Part of working at Your Generation Care Pty Ltd is about making good decisions. When faced with a decision and you are unsure of how to act, or whether your proposed actions are within Your Generation Care Pty Ltd’s Code and the NDIS Codes, you can ask yourself the following questions:
- The Policy Test – Is my proposed action consistent with this Code and other Your Generation Care Pty Ltd policies and procedures?
- The Legal Test – Is my proposed action legal? Does it conflict with any applicable law or regulation?
- The Values Test – Is my proposed action consistent with Your Generation Care Pty Ltd’s values? Is it ethical and honest?
- The Mirror Test – What are the consequences of my proposed action? How will I feel about myself if I take action?
- The Others Test – What will others think about my proposed action?
- The Media Test – Would I be concerned if my proposed action was headlined in the media?
If, after you have considered these points, you have any doubts about a decision you face, you should discuss the decision with your manager. In addition, if you believe there is a potential breach of Your Generation Care Pty Ltd policy or procedures, you should discuss the matter with your manager.
Reporting concerns and/or alleged breaches of Your Generation Care Pty Ltd’s and/or the NDIS Code
- Anyone can discuss a concern or make a complaint about alleged breaches of Your Generation Care Pty Ltd’s Code and/or the NDIS Code.
- Staff should report any alleged breach or concerns about an alleged breach of Your Generation Care Pty Ltd’s Code and/or the NDIS Code to their manager.
- If the staff member is not comfortable reporting the allegation to their manager, they should report the allegation to the CEO or a Director.
- Managers have a responsibility to address concerns and alleged breaches of both codes promptly and in a fair and reasonable manner.
- The manager or more senior member of staff must follow Your Generation Care Pty Ltd’s Workplace Investigation Procedure.
- Staff also have the right to approach an external agency in relation to their complaint.
- Protection for people who raise concerns about a breach of Your Generation Care Pty Ltd’s Code and/or the NDIS Code
- Your Generation Care Pty Ltd is committed to protecting any person who raises concerns about a breach of either code from victimisation. Any attempt to take detrimental action against a person or persons raising a concern or allegation regarding a breach of the codes will be taken seriously and may lead to disciplinary action.
- Consequences of breaching Your Generation Care Pty Ltd’s Code and/or the NDIS Code has to be faced.