The NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Framework ensures that the supports we provide meet Human Rights, allow Choice and Control, and are consistent with the National framework and ensure efficiency and effectiveness. 

The Framework consists of measures targeted at individuals, the workforce and providers within developmental, preventative and corrective domains.

They provide the following: -

• Provider registration including quality assurance
• Complaint handling system
• Serious incident notification
• Restrictive practice oversight
• Investigation and enforcement
• Worker screening

Worker screening will be collaboratively implemented with the states and territories. State and territory worker screening units will be responsible for worker screening checks in their own jurisdictions. The Commonwealth will have responsibility for working with all governments to develop national policy and standards to be implemented.

A NDIS Senior Practitioner will provide clinical leadership in positive behaviour support and reducing and eliminating the use of restrictive practices in the NDIS. States and territories remain responsible for the authorisation of restrictive practices in their jurisdiction.

The Framework also encompasses functions such as:

• advocacy services which will be funded outside of the NDIS through government funded programs such as the National Disability Advocacy Program;
• systems for detecting fraud and related issues associated with the responsibility for paying providers and verifying that support has been delivered which will remain the responsibility of the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA);
• complaints about the NDIA, or NDIA-funded local area coordinators, which will be addressed through existing measures;
• universal complaints and redress mechanisms —including Fair Trading, professional and industry bodies —which will continue to be available to participants; and
• anti-discrimination and human rights legislation overseen by the Disability Discrimination and Human Rights Commissioners, which will provide additional avenues for raising a complaint.

For more information you can visit: https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/

At CLA, we have a very strong incident management process, designed to support the efficient and appropriate response to incidents, and to ensure that we take steps to reduce incidents.

When an incident occurs, support staff are trained to provide first aid and access additional supports and services as required. If there is an incident resulting in the Harm of an individual, the staff member will contact our 24 hour On Call Service, and our Harm Response team will provide the necessary supports and guidance in the initial stages following the incident. Our Harm Response team are highly skilled and trained in responding to incidents.

All incidents at CLA are recorded in our Incident Management System, this is part of our Client Management software. Incidents are reviewed and investigated quickly after the incident occurs, and where required, strategies are put in place to prevent re-occurrence.

Some incidents must be reported to the NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Commission. Those incidents include:

• Death of a person with a disability
• Serious injury of a person with a disability
• Abuse or Neglect of a person with a disability
• Unlawful sexual or physical contact with, or assault of a person with a disability.
• Sexual Misconduct, committed against or in the presence of a person with a disability; or
• Unauthorised use of Restrictive Practices

If we are required to report an incident to the NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Commission, we will contact you or your support person to discuss the process further and ensure you understand what is happening.

For more information regarding the incident management procedure, please talk to your Team Leader. More information on how the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission responds to Reportable Incidents can be found here: https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/participants/incident-mgnt-reportable-incidents

If you would like to request copies of policy and procedure, or if you wish to request any copies of documentation in languages other than English or easy to read formats  please contact us at 07 4123 3552 or cla@comlife.com.au 

As an Employer, under the Workplace Health and Safety Act QLD 2011, Community Lifestyles Agency Inc. is required to provide and maintain, so far as practicable, a work environment that is safe and without risk to health.

Specific duties include:

• Provide and maintain safe plant and systems of work;
• Arrange safe systems of work in connection with plants and substances;
• Provide a safe working environment;
• Provide adequate welfare facilities;
• Provide information, instruction, training and supervision to enable employees to work safely;
• Monitor the health and wellbeing of employees;
• Keep information and records;
• Engage or employ suitable people to provide advice on health and safety in the workplace;
• Monitor conditions at the workplace; and
• Provide information to employees (in various communication styles).

• Take reasonable care for their own health and safety and for the health and safety of anyone else who may be affected by their acts or omissions;
• Cooperate with their employer on any actions taken to comply with the requirements of the Workplace Health & Safety Act QLD 2011; and
• Follow incident policies and procedures.
  
  

Team members shall follow all Health and Safety Policies and Procedures when working on or offsite. Staff shall report all observed potential or actual hazards to the direct Line Manager and document on appropriate forms or systems.

When an injury or near miss occurs at work your Line Manager needs to be informed as soon as possible and practicable. An investigation into the incident may occur and the necessary process or processes put into place to address the issues.

Team Members must not:

• Wilfully or recklessly interfere with or misuse any safety equipment provided for their use; and
• Wilfully put at risk the health and safety of others in the workplace.

If you suffer an injury arising out of or in the course of employment, you may be covered by Workers Compensation. You should report the injury to your Line Manager immediately and complete the appropriate incident forms as directed by your Line Manager. If it is a WorkCover incident you may also be required to complete a WorkCover Form.