Induction Headway Gippsland Inc

1. Induction Headway Gippsland Inc

2. About Headway Gippsland MISSION STATEMENT: Our Mission is to provide exceptional services to individuals with an ABI and/or other disabilities to enable participation in all aspects of community life. VISION: Our vision is a society inclusive for all.

3. About Headway Gippsland VALUES: • The person comes first • Support carers • Empower participants • Inclusion • Strive for excellence • Achieve outcomes • Respect • Share our knowledge 

4. Commitment to Child Safety • Headway Gippsland is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children accessing our service, including the cultural safety of aboriginal children, cultural safety of children from CALD backgrounds and the safety of children with a disability. Headway has zero tolerance for child abuse, believes the rights of the child are paramount and they should feel safe and supported accessing our service. • We have specific policies and procedures in place to support and educate our staff and volunteers and all allegations and safety concerns will be treated seriously and acted upon immediately.

5. The people we support, living life and achieving goals. Board Of Directors General ManagerJenelle Henry Executive AssistantLora Moulton FinanceTeam Support Coordinator Team Plan Management Team Support ServicesTeam ManagerDavid Barnes Manager Nicky Levey ManagerColin Matthies Team Managervacant AssistantsMargaret Wilson Tina Barake AssistantVictoria Kee Central/South Lisa Kuhne Admin SupportDianne Mumford Central NurayArdolli Life Skills Officers Central/Inner East Cindy Walker Social Support Groups Inner/Outer East Peter Balmer Volunteers Central/West Vanessa Estigarribia Organistational Chart Page 1 of 1 Version 4, July 2019

6. About Headway Gippsland Headway Gippsland began as a mutual support group in 1981 and has grown from strength to strength over the past 36 years to include: Social Support Groups that cover much of the Gippsland region these are based in: -Wonthaggi -Bairnsdale -Morwell -Warragul -Trafalgar

7. Social Support Groups • The Social Support Groups promote the development and maintenance of social skills, provide social connections and social and recreational activities. • Group participants have individual goals they work towards throughout the year with the support of our staff.

8. Social Support Groups Provide opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in activities they would not ordinarily doeg: Group outingsto sporting events, various venues, social events, meet new people, create new friendships

9. Social Support Groups Provide opportunities for people with disabilities to learn new skills in a supportive and fun environment, eg: Exercise programs, music, tending to community gardens and craft activities.

10. Carer Self Help Groups Headway Gippsland Self Help groups for unpaid family carers meet monthly and provide: • Information • Activities • Outings • Friendship

11. Volunteer Program Volunteers are an integral part of Headway Gippsland. We utilise volunteers in several areas. • On the Board of Management • Within the Social Support Programs • Administrative support • Client transportation

12. Volunteer Program Our volunteers come from a variety of areas including: • Retired community members. • Community members with an interest in disability. • Community members wishing to pass on skills to others. • People who wish to gain skills and experience in the disability field. • Tertiary placement including Medical, Social Work, Community Services and Disability students. Our volunteers do not do the work that is the responsibility of paid staff.

13. Volunteer Program Volunteers fill a big role in our organisation and are a precious resource.

14. Management System Manual Headway Gippsland’s Management System Manual is a formalised system that documents processes, procedures, and responsibilities for achieving quality policies and objectives. It helps coordinate and direct Headway Gippsland’s activities to meet client and regulatory requirements and improve its effectiveness and efficiency on a continuous basis.

15. Staff Handbook Headway Gippsland’s Staff Handbook is a document that contains the organisation’s operating procedures. It contains important policies that are expected to be followed in the workplace in order to protect the rights of Headway Gippsland, staff and clients. The Staff Handbook is a framework; it informs the work that all Headway Gippsland staff do.

16. Participant Handbook Headway Gippsland’s Participant Handbook is given to all clients. It contains information that the person with the disability and their family need to know when utilising our services. It also contains other important information such as: • Access and eligibility • Services • Rights and responsibilities • Privacy • Complaints

17. Duty of Care • People involved in the provision of services to others have a duty to avoid acting negligently in their decisions and actions relating to all aspects of their work with participants. • This responsibility is commonly called duty of care. A duty of care is breached if a person behaves unreasonably within a situation. Failure to act can also be unreasonable. Hence, either action or inaction can breach duty of care.

18. Duty of Care What does duty of care mean? That you must take reasonable care to avoid causing physical, emotional, or financial injury to (i) participants of your service; (ii) families and carers of participants; or (iii) any other person who is likely to be affected by your actions.

19. Duty of Care Headway Gippsland Inc., will: • comply with the spirit of the legislation, which supports the notion of Dignity of Risk. • engage in practices which encourage participants to learn how to live, work and function with safety • workers and Board of Management and the General Manager will not use personal values in assessments of risk • will take reasonable steps to minimise potential for serious injury to occur • will take all reasonable steps to verify capabilities and limitations of the individual participant.

20. Duty of Care In determining whether harm, injury or loss is foreseeable the agency will consider the following: • what information is already known about the capacity of the participant to carry out a similar activity • the level of the participant’s awareness of the risk involved and how it may be avoided. • the knowledge held by the agency of the degree of danger attached to particular activities. • the level at which the participantis equipped to manage danger should it arise.

21. Duty of Care The least possible restriction on consumer rights will be supported by: • A course of action taken by Headway Gippsland Inc to reasonably protect the participantfrom harm, injury or loss will be implemented in the least restrictive way. • In order to avoid injury Headway Gippsland Inc shall ensure that it is the least important right of the participantthat is affected. • Participantswill be supported to take control over risks with which they are confronted. • Participant s will be provided with information on which to make informed decisions about potential dangers in taking a particular course of action. • Any action with, for or on behalf of the participantwill demonstrate an acknowledgement of the right of the participant to be treated with respect and dignity. • Whether a participant is a child, therefore the Headway Gippsland Child Safety policy must be taken into account

22. Confidentiality Employees have access to participant’s confidential information while on duty. Current legislation requires all staff to abide by confidentiality policies and procedures. Breaches of confidentiality policies and procedures will result in disciplinary action and/or legal action. Confidentiality includes information about other employees as well as participants.

23. Confidentiality Everyone has the right to confidentiality whether you are a participant, carer/family member, worker, or volunteer We will treat all who have dealings with the agency with the courtesy and respect All workers of Headway Gippsland Inc need to be diligent and ensure that they do not divulge information to people inside or outside the agency who do not have a need or legal right to that knowledge

24. Confidentiality Confidentiality will be considered to have been breached if: • You talk about participants, other workers, consultants or matters within the agency which are considered to be commercially confidential (e.g. tender information), or personally or legally sensitive (e.g. family situation details or sexual harassment allegations). • You make written notes or files available to unauthorised people • You pass on confidential e-mail messages or memos to unauthorised people • You identify a person as a participant of the service

25. Confidentiality Exceptions to the rule - There will be occasions where it will not be in the best interests of the people concerned, significant third parties or the community, for confidentiality to be maintained. In these situations, confidentiality may be breached, providing the proper procedure has been followed. Such situations include: • the person concerned or their advocate has signed a Consent to Release Confidential Information Form and understands that information will only be shared with the workers/agency/people named on the form • during supervision sessions, where identifying data may be discussed as is relevant to the understanding of the context of the situation • the mandatory reporting of a suspicion of abuse and neglect to the Department of Human Services, in accordance with the Children and Young Person’s Act, by a member of a mandated profession. Or the reporting of concerns of abuse as per Headway Gippsland Inc. Child Safety Policy Continued

26. Confidentiality From Continued • the victim of any abuse or neglect will be encouraged and supported to make a formal complaint to the organisation concerned. • where there are reasonable concerns for the safety of an individual or a third party, appropriate warnings should be given to the party concerned and the police. • where a colleague, consultant, or member of the Board of Management has acted in a manner contrary to the policies or spirit of the agency, and that such action could be professionally unethical or dangerous to the agency or its consumers. In such circumstances, the matter should be reported to the Secretary of the Board of Management. • where there is knowledge of a serious crime that has or will be committed, the person who receives such information will report the matter to the Board of Management, who is authorised to contact the relevant authorities. All workers are required to complete an incident report on any action taken and forward all documentation to Headway Gippsland Inc

27. Child Safety Policy • Headway Gippsland is committed to child safety and upholding the Victorian child safe standards. • We insist that children in our care be safe happy and empowered. • We expect all staff to read and understand this policy, know the signs of child abuse, know the reporting requirements and know the best way to work with children from all backgrounds.

28. Child Safety Policy • We promote diversity and tolerance in our organisation, and people from all walks of life and cultural backgrounds are welcome. In particular we: • promote the cultural safety, participation and empowerment of Aboriginal children • promote the cultural safety, participation and empowerment of children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds • ensure that children with a disability are safe and can participate equally

29. Aboriginal Cultural Safety • Aboriginal children significantly over represented in child protection, youth justice and out of home care • Influenced by past policies such as forced removal, effects of lower socio-economic status and differences in child rearing practices and intergenerational trauma • Impacts are heightened as Aboriginal children may not feel culturally safe enough to report abuse

30. Cultural safety for children from a CALD background • Distrust of social service providers • CALD children, especially those from refugee or asylum seeker communities more likely to have experienced trauma or displacement and loss (or parents who have) before coming to Australia • Communication barriers to reporting abuse or knowing where to go for help

31. Children with a disability • Same rights and responsibilities as other members of the community • Increased risk of abuse compared to those children without a disability • Physical impairments, communication difficulties, memory, literacy, vision and hearing impairments and reliance on caregivers • Often receive less sexual education than peers • Poor recognition of abuse of children with a disability

32. Child Safety Policy • All staff and volunteers must have up to date clear police checks • All staff working with children must have up to date and clear Working with Children checks. We also ensure that staff and volunteers are not on the Disability Workers Exclusion database • All staff and volunteers must sign they have read the code of conduct and duty of care policies

33. Child Safety Policy • Failure to disclose: Reporting child sexual abuse is a community-wide responsibility. All adults in Victoria who have a reasonable belief that an adult has committed a sexual offence against a child under 16 have an obligation to report that information to the police. • Failure to protect: People of authority in our organisation will commit an offence if they know of a substantial risk of child sexual abuse and have the power or responsibility to reduce or remove the risk, but negligently fail to do so.

34. Child Safety Policy • We all have a responsibility to report an allegation of abuse if we have a reasonable belief that an incident took place • If an adult has a reasonable belief that an incident has occurred they must report the incident. Factors contributing to reasonable belief may be: • a child states they or someone they know has been abused (noting that sometimes the child may in fact be referring to themselves) • behaviour consistent with that of an abuse victim is observed (this will be expanded on in upcoming slides) • someone else has raised a suspicion of abuse but is unwilling to report it • observing suspicious behaviour • Headway Gippsland has a Reporting Flowchart which must be followed

35. If you witness or have reasonable believe child sexual abuse has occurred - • 1. Call police 000 immediately and report all details you are aware of, confirm that police will call DHHS child protection. If they do not then you call DHHS child protection on 1300 655 795 (office hours) or 131278 after hours • 2. Call Headway General Manager/office 5127 7166 or after hours on call 0448 472 007 and advise of above, discuss and debrief • 3. Complete incident report and lodge within 24 hours • 4. Follow up support with child as appropriate in conjunction with services above and following discussions with management.

36. If you witness or believe child physical abuse has occurred • Call police 000 immediately and report all details you are aware of, confirm that police will call child protection • If police advise you to call child protection, do so on 1300 655 795 (office hours) or 131278 (after hours) • Call Headway General Manager/office or after hours on call and advise of above, discuss and debrief • Complete incident report and lodge within 24 hours • Follow up support with child as appropriate in conjunction with services above and following discussions with management.

37. You have not witnessed or been told of any abuse but you have concerns a child may be in danger or has been treated inappropriately in some way • 1. If immediate danger – any form of abuse call police 000 and report and follow processes as above. • 2. If not immediate danger but you have concerns - call Headway General Manager/office or on call immediately and discuss. • 3. Following discussions with management a call DHHS child protection may be made (decision on this made in conjunction with management depending on your concerns) • 4. Complete incident report and lodge within 24 hours • 5. Follow up support with child as appropriate following discussion with management

38. What is Child Abuse • Physical Violence • Sexual Offences • Serious Emotional or psychological abuse • Serious Neglect

39. Physical violence • When a child suffers or is likely to suffer significant harm from a non accidental injury or injuries inflicted by another person eg – beating, shaking, burning or use of weapons (belts, paddles ect)

40. Possible indicators of physical Violence Possible physical indicators – • Unexplained bruises • Burns and/or fractured bones Possible behavioural indicators – • Showing wariness or distrust of adults • Wearing long sleeves on hot days (to hide bruising or other injury) • Fear of specific people • Unexplained absences • Academic problems

41. Sexual Offences Sexual offences occur when a person involves a child in sexual activity or deliberately puts the child in the presence of sexual behaviours that are exploitative or inappropriate to his/her age and development. Child sexual abuse can involve a range of sexual activity including fondling, masturbation, penetration, voyeurism and exhibitionism. It can also include exposure to or exploitation through pornography or prostitution, as well as grooming behaviour.

42. Possible indicators of Sexual Abuse Possible physical Indicators – • Presence of sexually transmitted diseases • Pregnancy • Vaginal or anal bleeding or discharge Possible behavioural indicators – • Displaying sexual behaviour or knowledge that is unusual for the child's age • Difficulty sleeping • Being withdrawn • Complaining of headaches or stomach pains • Fear of specific people • Showing wariness or distrust of adults

43. Serious emotional or psychological abuse Occurs when harm is inflicted on a child through repeated rejection, isolation, or by threats or violence. Can include derogatory name calling and put downs, or persistent and deliberate coldness from a person to the extent where the behaviour of the child is disturbed or their emotional development is at serious risk of being impaired. Conduct that exploits a child without necessarily being criminal, eg- encouraging a child to engage in inappropriate or risky behaviours.

44. Serious emotional or psychological a abuse indicators Possible physical indicators – • Delays in emotional, mental or even physical development • Physical signs of self harming Possible behavioural indicators – • Exhibiting low self esteem • Exhibiting high anxiety • Displaying aggressive or demanding behaviour • Being withdrawn, passive and/or tearful • Self harming

45. Serious Neglect The continued failure to provide a child with the basic necessities of life, eg: food, clothing, shelter, hygiene, medical attention or adequate supervision, to the extent that the child's health safety and/or development is, or is likely to be, jeopardised. Can also occur if an adult fails to adequately ensure the safety of a child where the child is exposed to extremely dangerous or life threatening situations.

46. Indicators of Serious Neglect Possible physical indicators – • Frequent hunger • Malnutrition • Poor hygiene • Inappropriate clothing Possible behavioural indicators – • Stealing food • Staying at school outside of hours • Aggressive behaviour • Misusing drugs or alcohol • Academic issues

47. Breach of the Headway Code of Conduct in relation to treatment of children through your work • If you feel another staff person, volunteer or Board Member has breached the code of conduct in relation to the treatment of children through their work with Headway Gippsland Inc. you need to report this to the Headway General Manager immediately. Headway has zero tolerance for child abuse and any issues will be dealt with and investigated immediately.

48. Child Safety Policy • All staff who have witnessed child abuse, suspect child abuse or mistreatment through their work with Headway Gippsland Inc. will be offered debriefing and support during discussions with management. We will do our best to support you through this process. • We will also do our best to support children and families through this process to ensure the child feels supported during and following any reports that are made.

49. Important Phone Numbers • Police 000 • DHHS child protection on 1300 655 795 (office hours) • DHHS child protection 131278 (after hours) • Headway General Manager/office 5127 7166 (office hours) • Headway on call 0448 472 007 (after hours)

50. Child Safe Resources • Department of Health and Human Services www.dhhs.vic.gov.au • Child Wise – information, fact sheets, training, resources www.childwise.org.au • Commission for Children and Young people –Standards, information, videos www.ccyp.vic.gov.au/child-safety • Child Safety & Wellbeing Act 2005 • Child Youth & Families Act 2005 • Disability Act 2006 • Crimes Act 1958