Procedure
The Policy is supported by the following Procedures which are intended to clarify the responsibilities of the board, Principal, Key Management Personnel and other Workers and make explicit the underlying principles of the Policy. The Procedures work together dynamically and are relevant to all parts of Respite Australia Care. The Procedures are not ordered in priority and all are important to achieving the aims of the Policy Statement.
Identifying whether support is required to manage Client’s money and property and obtaining consent to do soIf during initial meetings or during the support planning process it is deemed that the Client needs support to manage their money and property, ensure that: (a) the Client has provided their written consent to use the Client’s money and property and has specified the relevant purposes where Respite Australia Care’s support is required. (b) a written record of the Client’s valuables/property is made and kept on the Client’s information file. This record must be signed by the Principal. |
Promote a culture of responsible money managementIf Respite Australia Care has access to the money or property of a Client, Respite Australia Care will: (a) encourage the Client to take responsibility and ownership of their own money and property. (b) advocate for Clients with a view to ensuring that they can enjoy the full benefit of all income to which they are entitled. Income includes all forms of benefit/income to which a Client is entitled including under the NDIS. (c) encourage the Client to access and spend money in a responsible manner but ultimately, as determined by the Client (except where a purchase or expenditure will endanger their safety, the safety of others or is illegal). If a Client has the capacity, training and understanding they should be free to decide for themselves the purposes for which they spend their money. (d) without limiting the Client’s rights of self determination, choice and control with respect to their money and property, ensure Workers refer to the Principal any concerns with respect to misuse or inappropriate spending of money. |
Record keeping to ensure Client money is managed, protected and accounted forWhere a Client is deemed to need support with money and has provided their consent to Respite Australia Care providing such support, Respite Australia Care will: (a) when supervising, working with or providing services and supports to a Client and to the extent practicable, keep a clear written record of all purchases or other financial transactions that occur using the Client’s money. (b) ensure that all bank documents and cheque books are kept secure. (c) maintain, sign and prepare receipts as necessary for all expenditure on behalf of a Client. (d) maintain confidentiality and compliance with the Respite Australia Care Privacy and Dignity Policy. |
Access to sensitive financial information and Client money(a) ATM, debit and credit cards can be very useful. However, cards operated in conjunction with PINs present particular problems concerning Client security and Respite Australia Care’s access to a Client’s money. In supporting Clients, Workers must consider and weigh up Client rights and freedoms against security and Respite Australia Care’s duty to the Client. (b) Where a Client is capable of understanding and managing their own money they must be facilitated to do so. Workers must not know/ask for PIN numbers, passwords or other security controls on Client accounts in this situation, except as otherwise permitted by this Policy including the circumstances set out below. (c) Where a Client has been assessed as requiring some training/support for a short period before they will be able to manage their own money/accounts then Workers may facilitate such training by way of knowing the PIN or other security controls for a Client account provided all of the following conditions are met: (1) Consent for the money management training must be a specific purpose for which the Client has provided their written consent under section 4.1. (2) The training period cannot extend beyond six months after which time (A) The Client must change all PIN’s or security controls and operate independently or, (B) The cards must be cancelled and staff support the Client without the use of ATM/credit/debit cards. (C) Respite Australia Care otherwise complies with its other obligations under this Policy including with respect to record keeping. |
Payments for services provided by Respite Australia CarePayments to Respite Australia Care for services and supports provided be strictly in accordance with and subject to the requirements of the Client’s Service Agreement and applicable NDIS legislation and rules. |
Providing access to advocacyEncourage and support Clients to access legal or advocacy services where allegations of financial abuse or exploitation have been made. |
(h) Advise Clients, their families and advocates of:(1) their right to make a complaint under the Respite Australia Care Feedback and Complaints Management Policy and Incident Management and Reporting Policy. (2) support services, which are equipped to identify and respond to financial abuse or exploitation and able to refer individuals to appropriate specialist services; (3) their right to pursue grievances and complaints and access the criminal justice system. (4) The right of any concerned person, including but not limited to, the Client or other person from their support network, to make a report or an allegation of financial abuse or exploitation, without fear of retaliation or retribution. |
Do not give financial adviceClients are not provided financial advice or information other than the bare minimum reasonably required to assist the Client to understand their NDIS participant plan. |
Preventing and identifying financial abuse and exploitation(a) Actively prevent and where possible eliminate any risk of financial abuse or exploitation by looking out for the indicators of financial abuse set out in the Preventing and Responding to Violence, Abuse, Neglect, Exploitation and Discrimination Policy. (b) Report and respond to any risk of financial abuse or exploitation in accordance with our Incident Management and Reporting Policy. (c) Respond quickly and sensitively when any breach of our Client’s property rights occurs as a result of the acts of Respite Australia Care’s Workers, immediately acting to stop such behaviours. (d) Proactively support a Client, to the limits of our expertise and resources, in circumstances where the Worker suspects financial abuse or exploitation perpetrated by others. (e) Offer support to Respite Australia Care Clients, their family and carers when they tell us about any financial abuse or exploitation so that we can fully understand and respond effectively. (f) Ensure there is a culture of no retribution for any person who reports financial abuse or exploitation of a Client. (g) Ensure that relevant persons in the Client’s support network are informed of alleged or suspected instances of financial abuse or exploitation. Be mindful of situations where a person in the support network is the alleged or suspected perpetrator of the conduct. (h) Advise Clients, their families and advocates of: (1) their right to make a complaint under the Respite Australia Care Feedback and Complaints Management Policy and Incident Management and Reporting Policy. (2) support services, which are equipped to identify and respond to financial abuse or exploitation and able to refer individuals to appropriate specialist services; (3) their right to pursue grievances and complaints and access the criminal justice system. (4) The right of any concerned person, including but not limited to, the Client or other person from their support network, to make a report or an allegation of financial abuse or exploitation, without fear of retaliation or retribution. |
Communicate in the language, mode of communication and terms that the Client is most likely to understandCommunicate with Clients with respect ot this Policy, their money and property in a manner which is responsive to their needs in the language, mode of communication and terms that the Client is most likely to understand by: (a) using respectful, open, clear, and honest communication in all professional interactions (e.g., spoken, written, social media). (b) communicating effectively with Clients to promote their understanding of proposed supports and services (e.g., active listening, use of plain language, encouraging questions). (c) identifying potential barriers to effective communication and making a reasonable effort to address these barriers including by providing information and materials on how to access interpreter services, legal and advocacy services. (d) working with bilingual assessment staff, interpreters (linguistic and/or sign), communication specialists and relevant advocacy agencies/services that can also assist Client participation, inclusion, informed choice and control. (e) encouraging Clients to engage with their family, friends and chosen community if Respite Australia Care has been directed to do so in accordance with the Client induction materials, their support agreement or support plan (as applicable). (f) informing Clients of their rights to make informed choices, exercise control and maximise their independence relating to the supports provided in relation to services. (g) supporting them to exercise their rights and responsibilities. (h) documenting all material communications accurately, clearly, professionally and in a timely manner and including them in the Client’s information file. (i) supporting Clients, their family, carers and support network to find, use and access the services and supports they need and work with them to reduce any limitations or barriers where they exist. (j) Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and all people from Cultural, linguistic and diverse backgrounds (CALD) are supported in accessing services and support in the community in an inclusive and supportive environment. |
Contact us at the Respite Australia Care office nearest to you or submit a service request enquiry online or hard copies to one of our healthcare team.
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