Privacy Policy

Definitions

Personal information - Recorded information (including images) or opinion, whether true or not, about a living individual whose identity can reasonably be ascertained.

Sensitive information - Information or an opinion about an individual’s racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, membership of a political party, religious beliefs or affiliations, philosophical beliefs, membership of a professional or trade association, membership of a trade union, sexual preference or practices, or criminal record. This is also considered to be personal information.

Health information - Any information or an opinion about the physical, mental or psychological health or ability (at any time) of an individual.

Policy

Privacy and confidentiality are of paramount importance to Allcare Plan Management .
All Care Plan Management recognises the importance of protecting the personal information of individuals. Clients’ right to privacy and confidentiality is recognised, respected and protected in all aspects of their contact with All Care Plan Management. All clients have the right to decide who has access to their personal information.
All Care Plan Management will collect, use and disclose information in accordance with relevant state and Federal privacy legislation.
Management (or delegates) are responsible for upholding All Care Plan Management’s privacy and confidentiality responsibilities. All Care Plan Management operate at all times in accordance with the requirements state and federal legislation.
All Care Plan Management will only collect information necessary for safe and effective service delivery. It will only use information collected for the purpose it was collected and secure it appropriately.
Information related to clients will not be released to other individuals or services without informed consent from the client or their representative, or in exceptional circumstances.

Clients, parents and guardians are responsible for:

Providing accurate information when requested.
Maintaining the privacy of any personal or health information provided to them about other individuals, such as contact details.
Completing all permission forms and returning them to the service in a timely manner.
Being sensitive and respectful to other clients and guardians who do not want their child to be photographed or videoed. Being sensitive and respectful of the privacy of other clients and families in photographs/videos when using and disposing of these photographs/videos.

Client and Family Privacy and Confidentiality

All Care Plan Management will only request and retain personal or health information that is necessary to:
assess a potential client’s eligibility for a service;
provide a safe and responsive service;
monitor the services provided
fulfil contractual requirements to provide non identifying data and statistical information to a funding body.

Personal and Health Information All Care Plan Management Collects

Access

Client and family information may be accessed by:

management (or delegates);

Individuals have the right to request access to personal information All Care Plan Management holds about them, without providing a reason for requesting access;

access this information and make corrections if they consider the information is not accurate, complete or up to date.

There are some exceptions set out in the Information Privacy Act 2000, where access may be denied in part or in total. Examples of some exemptions are where:

the request is frivolous or vexatious;

providing access would have an unreasonable impact on the privacy of other individuals;

providing access would pose a serious threat to the life or health of any person; and

the service is involved in the detection, investigation or remedying of serious improper conduct and providing access would prejudice that.

If an individual requests access to or the correction of personal information, within a service benchmark of 2 working days (and no more than 45 days after receiving the request), staff will:

provide access, or reasons for the denial of access;

correct the personal information, or provide reasons for the refusal to correct the personal information; or

provide reasons for the delay in responding to the request for access to or correction of personal information.

Information Storage

Personal files are kept in a secure filing cabinet in a private room, which is kept locked outside of operational hours. Computerised records are stored safely and secured with a password for access.

Personal files are available for viewing upon request. Client portfolios are available online and can only be accessed by staff and clients/parents with password access.

Information Disclosure

Client personal and health information will only be disclosed:

for medical treatment or emergency;

to outside agencies with the clients’ or parent or guardians’ permission;

with written consent from person/s with lawful authority; or

when required by Commonwealth Law, or to fulfil legislative obligations such as mandatory reporting.

If a staff member is in a situation where they believe that they need to disclose information about a client that they ordinarily would not disclose, they should seek the advice of management before making the disclosure.

Contact Information If you would like to: access, correct, amend or delete any personal information we have about you, register a complaint, or simply want more information contact our Privacy Compliance Officer at ……………………………or by mail to:

Privacy Compliance Officer
All Care Plan Management
……………………………….,
……………………, Vic ………..

We endeavour to acknowledge all formal complaints within 10 working days and set out to have resolved any complaints within an additional 30 working days. We will make reasonable endeavours to meet this time commitment except in circumstances where this is not possible due to the particular circumstance. In such a case we will act to resolve the complaint in a reasonable timeframe. If you are not satisfied with our response, you can contact us to discuss your concerns or lodge a complaint with the Australian Information Commissioner (www.oaic.gov.au)

Changes To This Privacy Policy

Periodically we will update this privacy policy to reflect changes to privacy legislation, technological changes, company policy and customer feedback. Request for our latest Privacy Policy can be obtained by contacting us at any of the addresses stated above.