Supported Living Services is committed to providing quality services and your right to privacy and confidentiality will be recognised, respected, and protected in all aspects of your contact with us. This statement outlines our ongoing obligations to you in respect to how we manage your Personal Information.
Supported Living Services complies with the Privacy Data Protection Act 2014 (VIC), the Health Records Act 2001 (VIC) and the Privacy Act 1988 (Cwth) as well as the general protections for the right to privacy contained in the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (VIC).
Personal Information is any information that identifies an individual or can be reasonably determined from that information. Examples of Personal Information we collect include: names, date of birth, addresses, email addresses and phone numbers.
We collect your Personal Information in many ways including interviews, correspondence, by telephone, by email, via our website https://supportedlivingservices.com.au/ and from third parties.
Photographs and videos are classified as Personal Information under privacy legislation. We will only take photos or videos of you with your full and voluntary consent.
Sometimes we are legally required to collect personal information, including where there is a threat to public health or in connection with the monitoring of health services provided by Supported Living Services. Our use of personal information in such instances will be in accordance with our obligations under applicable privacy and health acts.
When we collect Personal Information, we will explain to you why we are collecting the information and how we plan to use it.
Sensitive Information is a type of Personal Information that is an opinion about an individual’s racial or ethnic origin, religious or philosophical beliefs, membership of a trade union or other professional body, sexual preference or practices or criminal record.
Sensitive Information includes Health Information, which is information or an opinion about the physical, mental or psychological health or ability of an individual.
Where reasonable and practicable to do so, we will collect your Personal Information only from you. However, in some circumstances we may be provided with information by third parties (such as other disability support services). In such cases we will take reasonable steps to ensure that you are made aware of the information provided to us by the third party.
Supported Living Services may at times disclose personal information about clients where it is necessary to deliver services. Supported Living Services will not rent, trade or sell personal information about clients to third parties. Personal information may only be disclosed outside of Supported Living Services in circumstances where:
To meet service needs Supported Living Services may be required to discuss a client’s personal information with other agencies or service providers. Should this be required the clients consent to share information will be acquired using the Client Consent Form.
Supported Living Services have a legal obligation to disclose personal information, such as to the government or under health regulations, or where such disclosure is permitted by law, including under privacy laws.
Your Personal Information is stored in a manner that reasonably protects it from misuse and loss and from unauthorized access, modification or disclosure. We may store personal information electronically on our computer database and/or in hard copy documents kept at our premises.
When your Personal Information is no longer needed for the purpose for which it was obtained, we will take reasonable steps to destroy or permanently de-identify your Personal Information.
We will retain records relating to the provision of your services in accordance with relevant legislation. This includes records relating to individuals who we have permanently ceased providing support to.
You may access the information we hold about you, including to update or correct it, subject to certain exceptions. If you wish to access your information, please speak to a staff member, email or write to Supported Living Services.
In order to protect your Personal Information, we may require identification from you before releasing the requested information.
The request is frivolous or vexatious;
Providing access would have an unreasonable impact on the privacy of other individuals;
Providing access would be likely to prejudice an investigation of possible unlawful activity;
Providing access would pose a serious and imminent threat to the life or health of any individual; and
Denying access is required or authorized by or under law.
We aim to address all requests to access or correct information within 14 working days; depending on the type of personal information the staff member or client have requested access to. We will not charge any fee for your access request but may charge an administrative fee for providing a copy of your information.
It is important to us that your information is up to date. We will take all reasonable steps to make sure that your information is accurate and complete. If you find that the information we have is not up to date or is inaccurate, please advise us as soon as practicable so we can update our records and ensure we can continue to provide quality services to you.
Supported Living Services’s Policies and Procedures will be formally reviewed at least annually. Formal reviews will include client, staff and other stakeholder feedback.
If you have any concerns, complaints or you think there has been a breach of privacy, please contact us at:
Complaints will be referred for investigation by the Manager and a response will be provided to you within a reasonable time (usually no longer than 28 days). We may seek further information from you in order to provide you with a full and complete response
