Statement of Access and Equity

 

• Our Service values diversity. We are committed to providing equitable services to all clients including Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander clients, clients from non-English speaking backgrounds, gay clients and their children, clients in rural and isolated areas, older clients with a disability and their children.

• To promote Access and ensure Equity, throughout the practices and operations of the service.

• Ensure services are available to all clients, regardless of their cultural background, age, geographic location, sexual preference, religion, HIV status, or disability, removing any barriers to entry as they are identified.

• Promote services widely and include strategies that promote the service specifically to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, non-English speaking background communities, gay clients and clients with a disability.

• Whenever community consultation takes place, ensure that diverse communities are consulted.

• Use community language (through TIS National Services) interpreters whenever necessary.

• Promote diversity among Staff employed by the Service, matching the Staff mix with the community wherever possible.

• Ensure that all Staff are trained in working cross-culturally, working with clients with a disability or mental illness, and are aware of issues for gay clients

• Ensure that all Staff know how to book and use interpreters.

•  Promote diversity in the Management Committee.

•  Provide a physically accessible environment for people with disabilities.

Privacy Policy

 

ROSS is committed to protecting and upholding the right to privacy of clients, staff, volunteers, Board/Management Committee members and representatives of agencies we deal with. In particular, ROSS is committed to protecting and upholding the rights of our clients' privacy in the way we collect, store and use information about them, their needs and the services we provide to them.

 

ROSS requires staff, volunteers and Board/Management Committee members to be consistent and careful in the way they manage what is written and said about individuals and how they decide who can see or hear this information.

 

ROSS is subject to legislation. The organisation will follow the guidelines of the Australian Privacy Principles in its information management practices.

 

ROSS will ensure that:

 

• It meets its legal and ethical obligations as an employer and service provider in relation to protecting the privacy of clients and organisational personnel.

• Clients are provided with information about their rights regarding privacy.

• Clients and organisational personnel are provided with privacy when they are being interviewed or discussing matters of a personal or sensitive nature.

• All staff, Board/Management Committee members and volunteers understand what is required in meeting these obligations.