Safeguards – Doing it right

Safeguards are in place to ensure the rights of clients are protected and it’s important to know what these are.

We encourage all workers to read Restrictive Practices in Australia.
Unless authorised by the Restrictive Practice Authorisation Panel (RPAP), restrictive practice is deemed a prohibited practice.

Independent workers need to be aware of what abuse, neglect, violence and exploitation are and how to report suspected or known incidents of these.
Reportable incidents include (but may not be limited to):

• All forms of physical, sexual, psychological, emotional, financial, legal, civil or systemic abuse
• Constraints and restrictive practices
• Physical neglect – failure to provide adequate food, shelter, clothing, protection and supervision
• Passive neglect – withholding or failure to provide the necessities of life
• Willful deprivation – willfully denying a person assistance and thereby exposing that person to the risk of physical, mental or emotional harm
• Emotional neglect – restricting the social, intellectual and emotional growth or well-being of a person.

In accordance with Mable’s Incident Reporting Procedure, all serious incidents must be reported to Mable by calling 1300 736 573. If the matter is urgent or life-threatening call emergency services on 000 (triple zero) first.
If you are unsure whether a matter should be reported or whom to report a matter to, call the Police Assistance Helpline on 131 444 for guidance.

Specific reporting avenues include the following:

• Reporting Authorities for Children (state-based contact list)
• Reporting Authorities for People with a Disability (call the National Disability and Neglect Hotline on 1800 880 052 for referral)
• Reporting Authorities for Elder Abuse (state-based contact list)

Sometimes consumers will need an advocate to speak up for them. Here are some state-based contacts for aged care and disability:

• Disability Advocacy Network Australia
• My Aged Care