Our charter of client rights is based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006) and applies across our organisation.

At NextSense, our clients have the right to:

• Be treated with respect and courtesy
• Stay informed and be consulted
• Have a say in decisions made about their care and make informed choices
• Receive quality services
• Receive information in alternate formats on the same basis as their peers
• Expect privacy and confidentiality and access to all personal information held
• Have another person of their choice support them and advocate (speak up for them) on their behalf
• Have comments and feedback valued
• Make a confidential complaint if they are not happy with the services they receive
• Be supported through their journey with NextSense.

NextSense has zero tolerance for abuse of any kind and is committed to the safeguarding of all vulnerable people, children, and young people.

Providing a safe environment, where vulnerable people and children are safe, happy, and empowered is our top priority and at the heart of our decision making. We strive to create a culture that promotes speaking up, where if any of our people or affiliates see something, they say something.

NextSense is committed to the safety of all people in our care and who access our services. This includes establishing a culturally safe environment, where the identities and experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from other diverse backgrounds, and children and adults with disabilities are respected and valued.

Specific to safeguarding children, NextSense takes a child-focused approach to protecting children, where access to information, support, and processes are easy to understand and accessible.

Every person involved with NextSense—our employees, volunteers, students on placement, consultants and contractors, clients, families, and other associates—have a responsibility to understand and immediately act on the important and specific role they play to ensure the safeguarding of all vulnerable people and children. This must be at the forefront of all they do and every decision they make.

NextSense is committed to ensuring employees are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and awareness to keep children and vulnerable people safe through continual education, and sector specific training. They are expected to maintain professional and behavioral standards of conduct, including:

• acting professionally whilst showing genuine care and compassion
• treating all people with respect regardless of their race, age, gender, language, religion, opinions, social origin, disability, or other status
• remain alert to the indicators of child abuse and are required to report any child protection or child wellbeing concerns about the safety, welfare, or wellbeing of a child
• take reasonable care of their own safety and the safety of children and others with whom they come into contact as part of their engagement with NextSense
• not engage in inappropriate physical contact with children, or act in ways that may cause a child to fear that unjustified force will be used against them.

All staff engaged in child-related work with NextSense are required to hold a current working with children’s check throughout their employment. Also, all staff engaged in work requiring interaction with clients with disabilities must hold a current NDIS worker screening clearance throughout their employment.

Our organisation takes a coordinated approach to regular review of national and state-based legislation to ensure that all relevant updates are embedded in process and practice.