Policy Purpose

This policy ensures that Chooze promotes, upholds, and respects the legal and human rights of customers, including their right to privacy and dignity.

Policy Statement

Chooze facilitates customers' capacity to determine their best interests, make decisions about their lives, and directs supports that respect their culture, diversity, values, and beliefs. The Privacy and Dignity Policy is based on legal rights, Australian Privacy Act (1988) (Cth), and the commitment to customer dignity.

Privacy Procedure

Chooze staff follow these procedures to implement the Privacy and Dignity policy. Chooze is committed to protecting customers' privacy and dignity. This procedure aligns with the Information Management Policy and Procedure.

• Advise customers of confidentiality and information collection during entry and annual reviews.
• Inform customers about personal information confidentiality, collection purposes, storage, and access.
• Offer the right to refuse personal information provision, with awareness of potential support limitations.
• Collect only necessary information for support delivery, respecting gender, culture, communication preferences, health, relationships, and goal barriers.
• Allow customers to access their personal information with staff and chosen supporters present.
• Seek written consent to release information to external parties.
• Obtain written consent before recording images or voices for training, display, or marketing purposes.
• Present the Privacy and Dignity Policy in customers' preferred mode, format, or language.
• Use F-007 Individual Consent to Share Information for gathering customer information and consent.

Security of Information

Chooze takes steps to protect personal information from misuse or unauthorized access, including password protection, locked cabinets, and restricted physical access. Any data breaches are reported to the Office of The Australian Information Commissioner as per the Notifiable Data Breaches scheme, following the Incident Management and Reporting policy and procedure.

Privacy and Complaints

Chooze:

• Informs customers how to make complaints about Privacy and Dignity processes.
• Accepts feedback and complaints, addressing suggestions for improvement.
• Treats complaints confidentially following the Feedback and Complaints Policy and procedures.