Our NDIS Advocacy Policy and Health Advocacy Support

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Introduction

As a service provider, Bloom Healthcare is required to provide access to advocacy support to our clients.  This policy has been developed to ensure that its employees and contractors, uphold the rights of people with disabilities and provide them with the necessary support to exercise their rights.

This policy outlines Bloom Healthcare’s commitment to advocacy and describes the steps to be taken by employees to ensure that people with disabilities have access to information, services, and support.

This policy aligns with legislative requirements as stated within the NDIS Act 2013. The Act acknowledges the important role of advocates (including independent advocates) and other representatives of persons with disability; and requires registered NDIS providers to cooperate with and facilitate arrangements for, advocates (including independent advocates) and other representatives of persons with disability who are affected by complaints or incidents and who wish to be independently supported in that process by an advocate or other representative. This policy also incorporates obligations regarding the provision of advocacy support when delivering service as outlined within NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission

The policy complies with relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards and was last updated in March 2023.

Scope

This policy applies to all employees and contractors of Bloom Healthcare who work with people with disabilities. It covers all activities, behaviours, and situations related to providing services to people with disabilities. This policy supersedes any conflicting policies or procedures in the company.

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that people with disabilities have access to the necessary support and services to exercise their rights. This policy aims to achieve the following goals:

• Uphold the rights of people with disabilities.
• Provide advocacy and support to people with disabilities.
• Empower people with disabilities to make informed decisions.
• Promote the participation and inclusion of people with disabilities in their communities.
• Ensure that employees and contractors of Bloom Healthcare are aware of their responsibilities in providing advocacy and support to people with disabilities.

Roles and Responsibilities

All employees and contractors

of Bloom Healthcare are responsible for upholding the rights of people with disabilities and providing them with the necessary support and services. Specific responsibilities include:

• Providing information and advice to people with disabilities
• Advocating on behalf of people with disabilities
• Ensuring that people with disabilities 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

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

• Providing information and advice to people with disabilities
• Advocating on behalf of people with disabilities
• Ensuring that people with disabilities 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.

Training

All employees and contractors of Bloom Healthcare

are responsible for upholding the rights of people with disabilities and providing them with the necessary support and services. Specific responsibilities include:

• Providing information and advice to people with disabilities
• Advocating on behalf of people with disabilities
• Ensuring that people with disabilities 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.

Risk and Mitigation

If the policy on advocacy and support for people with disabilities is not followed by Bloom Healthcare, it could result in the following risks for people with disabilities receiving services from the company:

• Limited Access to Services: People with disabilities may be denied access to services, resources, and support that they are entitled to.
• Discrimination and Prejudice: People with disabilities may experience discrimination and prejudice from employees and contractors, leading to exclusion and marginalisation.
• Lack of Empowerment: People with disabilities may not have the necessary information and support to make informed decisions, and their voices may not be heard in matters that affect them.
• Inadequate Support: People with disabilities may not receive the support they need to participate in their communities, leading to isolation and loneliness.

To mitigate these risks, Bloom Healthcare can take several steps, including:

• Providing regular training and education to all employees and contractors to ensure they understand their responsibilities in providing advocacy and support to people with disabilities.
• Establishing clear communication channels to ensure that people with disabilities know their rights and options and can access the necessary support.
• Creating a culture of inclusion and diversity within the company to promote respect and acceptance for people with disabilities.
• Developing and implementing policies and procedures that prioritise the needs and rights of people with disabilities.
• Conduct regular evaluations of the policy’s effectiveness and adjust as necessary to ensure that it continues to meet the needs of people with disabilities.

Risks to Bloom Healthcare if the policy was not followed regarding the delivery of services to disabled individuals include:

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

Mitigation steps that Bloom Healthcare can take to address these risks include:

• Providing regular training and education to employees and contractors on the importance of upholding the policy and complying with relevant laws and regulations
• Establishing a reporting system for incidents of non-compliance or harm to people with disabilities, with clear protocols for investigation and resolution
• Implementing a culture of transparency and accountability, where employees feel comfortable reporting concerns or violations.
• Regularly evaluating the effectiveness of the policy and adjusting as necessary to ensure its ongoing relevance and impact.
• Communicating the company’s commitment to disability advocacy and support to all stakeholders, including clients, employees, and contractors.

Monitoring and Evaluation

Bloom Healthcare will monitor the effectiveness of this policy through the following performance metrics and KPIs:

• Number of people with disabilities who receive advocacy and support services.
• Incident rates related to advocacy and support.
• Employee satisfaction with training and support

Data will be collected and reported on a quarterly basis by the advocacy team. The results will be communicated to stakeholders, including employees and contractors.

Review

This policy will be reviewed annually to assess its effectiveness and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Any necessary revisions or updates will be made in a timely manner and recorded on the Policy and Procedure Register.

National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP)

Department of Social Services funds the National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP) to provide people with disability access to effective advocacy support. This support works to promote and protect the rights of people with disability by helping to remove barriers to their full and equal participation in the community. NDAP is for people with disability who are facing complex challenges. The program provides support in situations where people with disability feel unable to act, speak or write about a difficult situation on their own, or do not have the support required to resolve an issue. To access the NDAP please click on the link below

https://www.dss.gov.au/disability-advocacy/national-disability-advocacy-program