CLIENTS RIGHTS
These are your rights as a client of the Mallee Domestic Violence Service:
You have the right to quality
care from appropriately trained and experienced staff, respectful of your
privacy and dignity regardless of social status, disability, age, sex, race,
religion or political belief.;
You have the right to know the
name, agency, professional status and qualification of the professional worker;
You have the right to ensure
written consent (where possible) by the professional worker for any disclosure
of information. Where legal obligations demand information, the service user
will be notified whenever possible. Verbal and other appropriate forms of
consent will be sought in instances where there are English literacy barriers;
The
Children, Youth and Families Act 2005
In 2005, the Victorian Government introduced the
Children, Youth and Families Act to better meet the needs of vulnerable
children.
A key feature of this Act is that it allows
professionals to share information with Child Protection and Child FIRST to
promote the safety and development of vulnerable children;
You have the right to expect that
information concerning you will be treated confidentially;
You have the right to request a
clear statement of what you can expect the service to provide including
counselling sessions, referral, advocacy support, and reports.
You have the right to make informed
decisions on right to consent or refuse participation in educational, research
programs, or media work and the right to refuse treatment from students;
You have the right to have an
advocate (friend, family member and / or interpreter) present when attending the
service. An interpreter can be provided by the Victorian Interpreting
Translating Services on (03) 9280 1955;
You have the right to request a
transfer to another staff member by speaking with the Chief Executive Officer,
Clinical Manager or Supervisor;
You have the right to be aware
that, depending on the type of service you are attending for, a record may be
created for you and that details of services you receive may be recorded in that
record. If you wish to remain anonymous please discuss this with your worker;
You have the right to access
counselling
file / record on written application. Please see your professional worker,
Clinical Manager or Supervisor to discuss this;
You have the right to be aware that
in order to provide the best possible level of care, it may be necessary for
appropriate staff to discuss some, or all of your situation with other staff.
This will only be done after agreement with you. As, from time to time it may
be appropriate for verbal / written information exchanged with other agencies
and this can only be done with your written consent. You should be aware that
records can be subpoenaed by the courts;
You have the right to make a
complaint about the services or treatment you have received, you may speak
directly to the Chief Executive Officer, Clinical Manager or Supervisor and if
you are not satisfied, send a written complaint to the Committee of Management
of the Service. If necessary, an advocate can be appointed to assist you. You
also have the Loddon Mallee Regional Office - Department of Human Services on
(03) 5434 5555;
You have the right to continued
access to services after making a complaint; and
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