Participant Rights & Advocacy Policy
Effective Date: 27 May 2025
Last Updated: 27 May 2025
Purpose
This policy explains your rights as a participant in our services and how we support you to express your views, make informed decisions, and access independent advocacy. It is part of our commitment to person-centred, inclusive, and accountable service delivery in alignment with the NDIS Practice Standards and the NDIS Code of Conduct.
1. Our Commitment to Human Rights
Good Company Disability Services upholds the rights of all people with disability as outlined in:
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD)
The NDIS Act 2013
The Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth)
The NDIS Code of Conduct
The Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)
We promote respect, equality, choice, dignity, safety, and meaningful participation for every individual we support.
2. Your Rights as a Participant
You have the right to:
Be treated with dignity, fairness, and compassion
Make informed decisions about your life and supports
Express your views, choices, and concerns freely
Receive support in ways that respect your culture, language, identity, gender, and religion
Be involved in planning, monitoring, and reviewing your services
Live free from abuse, neglect, discrimination, and coercion
Have your privacy and personal information protected
Access and review your personal information
Raise a concern or complaint without fear of negative consequences
Use an advocate or support person of your choice
Refuse or withdraw consent at any time
3. Our Responsibilities
All staff and representatives of Good Company Disability Services must:
Act ethically and in line with the NDIS Code of Conduct
Respect participant rights in every interaction
Support participants to understand and exercise their rights
Promote choice, autonomy, and cultural safety
Respond sensitively and effectively to complaints or concerns
Assist participants to access independent advocacy or representation
Participate in ongoing training on human rights, consent, safeguarding, and ethical practice
4. Supported Decision-Making
We are committed to supporting you to make your own decisions. This means:
Providing clear information in a way you understand
Helping you explore your options and express your preferences
Involving family members or trusted supporters if you choose
Respecting your final decision even if it differs from others’ opinions
Never making decisions for you unless legally required (e.g., a guardian is appointed)
5. How We Promote Rights in Practice
We embed participant rights in daily service delivery by:
Including you in all planning and service reviews
Using plain language and culturally safe communication methods
Seeking your consent before taking any action
Creating safe spaces where you can speak freely and ask questions
Supporting your inclusion in community life, relationships, and self-advocacy
6. Advocacy Support
An advocate helps you understand your rights, speak up, and make sure your voice is heard. Advocates can be:
A family member, friend, or carer
A formally appointed guardian
An independent advocacy service
We will assist you to access an independent advocate if:
You request it
You are involved in a complaint or critical decision
You feel unsafe, unheard, or overwhelmed
You experience communication barriers
You are always welcome to bring a support person or advocate to any meeting or discussion.
7. Independent Advocacy Services
We can help you connect with a range of national and local advocacy services, such as:
Disability Advocacy Finder – https://disabilityadvocacyfinder.dss.gov.au
People With Disability Australia (PWDA) – www.pwd.org.au
VALID (Victoria) – www.valid.org.au
Citizen Advocacy Perth West (WA) – www.capw.org.au
We will never discourage or delay your right to access independent advocacy.
8. Making a Complaint About a Rights Breach
If you believe your rights have not been respected:
You may raise the concern with any of our team members
Use our Feedback & Complaints Policy (you may remain anonymous if preferred)
Request a senior manager to review the matter
Seek assistance from an advocate at any stage
Escalate your complaint externally if you are not satisfied with our response
NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
📞 1800 035 544
🌐 www.ndiscommission.gov.au
📝 National Relay Service: 133 677
9. Cultural Safety and Inclusion
We embrace diversity and ensure our services are respectful, inclusive, and responsive to:
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
LGBTQIA+ participants
People of all faiths, languages, and lived experiences of disability
We train staff to deliver culturally safe and inclusive supports, and welcome feedback to continue learning.
10. Privacy and Confidentiality
We keep your personal information secure and only share it with others when you give permission or when required by law. You have the right to:
Access your personal records
Request corrections to inaccurate information
Understand how your information is used and stored
This practice complies with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the NDIS Practice Standards on the date noted as effective date on this policy.
11. Continuous Improvement
We use participant feedback and incident reviews to:
Identify gaps or risks to participant rights
Improve staff training, service design, and communications
Strengthen safeguarding, choice, and inclusion across all programs
12. Contact Us
If you have any questions about your rights or need support:
Good Company Disability Services Pty Ltd
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: www.goodcompanyds.com.au
📞 Perth Office: (08) 9334 6995
📞 Melbourne Office: (03) 9069 7866
