Introduction

Behaviour Insights is committed to providing advocacy support to our clients with disabilities. This policy ensures that our employees and contractors uphold the rights of people with disabilities and provide the necessary support for them to exercise their rights.

This policy aligns with the NDIS Act 2013, which emphasizes the importance of advocates, including independent advocates, and other representatives for individuals with disabilities. The Act requires registered NDIS providers to cooperate with and facilitate arrangements for advocates and other representatives. This policy also incorporates obligations regarding the provision of advocacy support as outlined by the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.

Scope

This policy applies to all employees and contractors of Behaviour Insights who work with people with disabilities. It covers all activities, behaviors, and situations related to providing services to individuals with disabilities.

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that individuals with disabilities have access to the necessary support and services to exercise their rights. Our goals include:

Upholding the rights of people with disabilities.
Providing advocacy and support to individuals with disabilities.
Empowering people with disabilities to make informed decisions.
Promoting the participation and inclusion of people with disabilities in their communities.
Ensuring that all employees and contractors are aware of their responsibilities in providing advocacy and support to people with disabilities.

Roles and Responsibilities

All employees and contractors of Behaviour Insights are responsible for upholding the rights of people with disabilities and providing necessary support and services. Specific responsibilities include:

Providing information and advice to people with disabilities.
Advocating on behalf of individuals with disabilities.
Ensuring individuals are aware of their rights and options.
Supporting people with disabilities in making informed decisions.
Promoting the participation and inclusion of people with disabilities in their communities.

Procedures

Employees and contractors must:

Provide accurate information and advice to individuals with disabilities.
Advocate for the rights and needs of people with disabilities.
Ensure that individuals are informed about their rights and available options.
Support individuals in making informed decisions.
Foster the participation and inclusion of people with disabilities in community activities.

Training

Behaviour Insights will provide regular training to all employees and contractors on advocacy and support for people with disabilities. This training ensures that they understand their responsibilities and are equipped to uphold the policy’s principles.

Risk and Mitigation

Failure to follow this advocacy policy could result in:

Limited access to services for people with disabilities.
Discrimination and prejudice, leading to exclusion and marginalization.
Lack of empowerment and inadequate support for informed decision-making.
Isolation and loneliness due to inadequate community participation support.

To mitigate these risks, Behaviour Insights will:

Provide regular training and education on advocacy and support.
Establish clear communication channels to ensure individuals know their rights and options.
Foster a culture of inclusion and diversity.
Develop and implement policies prioritizing the needs and rights of people with disabilities.
Conduct regular evaluations of the policy’s effectiveness and make necessary adjustments.

Risks to Behaviour Insights

If this policy is not followed, Behaviour Insights could face:

Legal and financial repercussions due to non-compliance with laws and regulations.
Damage to the company’s reputation, leading to loss of trust and potential clients.
Increased incidents of harm or abuse due to lack of advocacy and support.
Loss of skilled employees due to dissatisfaction with the company’s values and practices.

Mitigation steps include:

Regular training and education on the importance of upholding the policy and complying with laws and regulations.
Establishing a reporting system for incidents of non-compliance or harm.
Implementing a culture of transparency and accountability.
Regularly evaluating the policy’s effectiveness and making necessary adjustments.
Communicating the company’s commitment to disability advocacy and support to all stakeholders.

Monitoring and Evaluation

Behaviour Insights will monitor the effectiveness of this policy through performance metrics and KPIs, such as the number of individuals receiving advocacy and support services, incident rates, and employee satisfaction with training and support. Data will be collected and reported quarterly by the advocacy team and communicated to stakeholders.

Review

This policy will be reviewed annually to ensure its effectiveness and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Necessary revisions or updates will be made promptly and recorded in the Policy and Procedure Register.