Core module: Rights and responsibilities

These NDIS Practice Standards set out the rights of participants and the responsibilities of providers that deliver supports and services to them.

Person-centred supports 

Outcome: Each participant accesses supports that promote, uphold and respect their legal and human rights and is enabled to exercise informed choice and control. The provision of supports promotes, upholds and respects individual rights to freedom of expression, self-determination and decision-making.

To achieve this outcome, the following indicators should be demonstrated:

• Each participant’s legal and human rights are understood and incorporated into everyday practice.  
• Communication with each participant about the provision of supports is responsive to their needs and is provided in the language, mode of communication and terms that the participant is most likely to understand.  
• Each participant is supported to engage with their support network and chosen community as directed by the participant. 

Individual values and beliefs 

Outcome: Each participant accesses supports that respect their culture, diversity, values and beliefs.  

To achieve this outcome, the following indicators should be demonstrated:

• At the direction of the participant, the culture, diversity, values and beliefs of that participant are identified and sensitively responded to.  
• Each participant’s right to practice their culture, values and beliefs while accessing supports is supported. 

Privacy and dignity

Outcome: Each participant accesses supports that respect and protect their dignity and right to privacy.  

To achieve this outcome, the following indicators should be demonstrated:

• Consistent processes and practices are in place that respect and protect the personal privacy and dignity of each participant.
• Each participant is advised of confidentiality policies using the language, mode of communication and terms that the participant is most likely to understand.
• Each participant understands and agrees to what personal information will be collected and why, including recorded material in audio and/or visual format. 

Independence and informed choice 

Outcome: Each participant is supported by the provider to make informed choices, exercise control and maximise their independence relating to the supports provided.  

To achieve this outcome, the following indicators should be demonstrated:

• Active decision-making and individual choice is supported for each participant including the timely provision of information using the language, mode of communication and terms that the participant is most likely to understand.  
• Each participant’s right to the dignity of risk in decision-making is supported. When needed, each participant is supported to make informed choices about the benefits and risks of the options under consideration.  
• Each participant’s autonomy is respected, including their right to intimacy and sexual expression.  
• Each participant has sufficient time to consider and review their options and seek advice if required, at any stage of support provision, including assessment, planning, provision, review and exit.  
• Each participant’s right to access an advocate (including an independent advocate) of their choosing is supported, as is their right to have the advocate present. 

Violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation and discrimination

Outcome: Each participant accesses supports free from violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation or discrimination.  

To achieve this outcome, the following indicators should be demonstrated:

• Policies, procedures and practices are in place which actively prevent violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation or discrimination.  
• Each participant is provided with information about the use of an advocate (including an independent advocate) and access to an advocate is facilitated where allegations of violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation or discrimination have been made.
• Allegations and incidents of violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation or discrimination, are acted upon, each participant affected is supported and assisted, records are made of any details and outcomes of reviews and investigations (where applicable) and action is taken to prevent similar incidents occurring again.