Participant Rights & Advocacy Policy

Effective Date: 19 Sep 2026
Last Updated: 19 Sep 2026

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.

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.

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

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

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)

Dignity of Risk

You have the right to make choices that involve risk. When a decision you want to make carries a risk to your safety, health or wellbeing, we will:

• Explain the benefits and the risks of each option in a way you understand, using your preferred language and communication method
• Give you time to think it over and to get advice from family, friends, an advocate or a professional before you decide
• Respect your decision, and work with you to put safeguards in place that reduce the risk without taking away your choice
• Record the decision and any safeguards in your support plan, and review them with you at agreed times

We only act without your agreement where there is a serious and immediate risk of harm to you or others, or where the law requires it. We never use risk as a reason to decide for you.

Relationships, Intimacy and Sexual Expression

You have the right to friendships, relationships, intimacy and sexual expression, and to privacy in these parts of your life. Our staff will:

• Respect your choices without judgement
• Protect your privacy and dignity
• Support you to access information, education and health services if you ask for them
• Maintain professional boundaries at all times, in line with the NDIS Code of Conduct and our Staff Code of Conduct and Professional Boundaries Policy

If you are unhappy with how a worker has responded to you on any of these matters, you can raise it through our Feedback & Complaints Policy.

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

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.

Independent Advocacy Services

We can help you connect with a range of national and local advocacy services, such as:

• 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.

Making a Complaint About a Rights Breach

If you believe your rights have not been respected:

1. You may raise the concern with any of our team members

2. Use our Feedback & Complaints Policy (you may remain anonymous if preferred)

3. Request a senior manager to review the matter

4. Seek assistance from an advocate at any stage

5. 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

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.

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.

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

Contact Us

If you have any questions about your rights or need support:

Good Company Disability Services Pty Ltd
📧 Email: hello@goodcompanyds.com.au
🌐 Website: www.goodcompanyds.com.au
📞 Perth Office: (08) 9334 6995
📞 Melbourne Office: (03) 9069 7866