Participant Rights
We respect each participant's right to make choices, take part in decisions, access information, raise concerns and receive support free from abuse, neglect, discrimination and exploitation.
Participant information
Your rights, choices and safety matter
Participants in Ballarat, Victoria and surrounding suburbs have the right to respectful support, clear information, privacy, dignity, choice, control and communication in a way they can understand.
Privacy and Consent
Personal information is handled carefully and only shared where consent is given, where it is required for safe support, or where it is required by law.
Feedback and Complaints
Feedback helps us improve. Participants, families and representatives can raise concerns directly with us by email. We can support people to give feedback in plain language or with interpreter assistance where needed.
Incident Reporting
Incidents, injuries, near misses and hazards are recorded and reviewed so we can respond quickly, reduce risk and improve support safety.
Accessible information
Support for CALD participants and language barriers
We want participants and families to understand their supports, rights and choices. We can adjust how we communicate when English is not a preferred language, when information feels too complex, or when a participant needs support to make decisions.
CALD Support
We respect culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, including cultural routines, food preferences, family roles, faith, privacy and community connection.
Interpreter Support
For important conversations, we can help arrange interpreter support so participants and families can ask questions and make informed decisions.
Easy Read Documents
We can provide simple summaries or Easy Read style information about rights, complaints, consent, service agreements and support plans.
Before services start
We will discuss the support request, confirm available funding, prepare a service agreement where required and gather key information needed for safe support.
We may ask about
- Participant goals and preferred routines.
- Communication preferences, language needs and decision-making supports.
- Health, medication, mobility, SIL or behaviour support needs.
- Emergency contacts and important risk information.
Documents we can explain
Participants should not feel pressured to sign documents they do not understand. We can explain key documents in plain language and give people time to ask questions.
Examples include
- Service agreements and schedules of support.
- Consent and privacy information.
- Participant rights and responsibilities.
- Feedback, complaints and incident processes.
- Support plans, risk plans and SIL information.