Our Promise

---

Inside & Out Perth recognises the right of all participants to feel safe and to live in an environment that provides protection from assault, neglect, exploitation, discrimination, or any other form of abuse. People with disabilities, children, and young people are some of the most vulnerable groups in our society. Inside & Out Perth must identify, consult, and respond to instances where persons with disabilities, children, or young persons are at risk of significant harm.

Common reasons for people with disabilities, children, and young people to be at risk of significant harm include:

• Domestic and family violence
• Physical, sexual, and emotional abuse

The purpose of this policy is to prevent and mitigate the effects of violence, abuse and neglect on participants through training and implementing processes to inform staff and protect participants who are at risk of significant harm.

This policy aims to:

• Take a preventative, proactive, and participatory approach to participant safety
• Value and empower the participant to contribute to decisions that affect their lives
• Foster a culture of openness that supports all persons to disclose the risks of harm to participant safety.
• Respect diversity in cultures and child-rearing practices, while keeping the participant's safety paramount
• Provide training to staff on appropriate conduct and behaviour toward participants
• Engage only the most suitable people to work with participants and ensure superior quality staff, volunteer supervision, and professional development
• Ensure participants know who to talk to if they are worried or feeling unsafe and that they are comfortable and encouraged to raise any issues
• Report suspected abuse, neglect, or mistreatment promptly to the appropriate authorities
• Share information appropriately and lawfully with other organisations where the safety and well-being of the participant is at risk
• Value the input of families and advocates and communicate regularly with them.

In the case that the situation meets the criteria of a reportable incident, then the Reportable Incident, Accident, and Emergency Policy and Procedure will apply.

Inside & Out Perth is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all participants. This commitment is the primary focus of our support and decision making. Inside & Out Perth is committed to providing a safe environment where participants are safe, and their voices are heard and included in decisions that affect their lives. Attention is paid to the cultural safety of participants from culturally or linguistically diverse backgrounds.

All Inside & Out Perth staff members have a responsibility to understand the critical and specific role they play, both individually and collectively, to ensure the wellbeing and safety of all participants and young people are at the forefront of all they do and every decision they make.

Inside & Out Perth is committed to the safety and well-being of participants. Our business recognises the importance of, and responsibility for, ensuring our environment is a safe, supportive, and enriching environment that respects and fosters the dignity and self-esteem of all people, enabling them to thrive.

The Safe Code of Conduct aims to protect both our employees and participants and to reduce opportunities for abuse or harm to occur. It also assists in understanding how to avoid, or better manage, risky behaviours and situations. It is intended to complement child protection legislation, disability legislation, policies and procedures, and professional standards, codes or ethics as these apply to all staff.

Inside & Out Perth management supports the implementation and monitoring of the Code of Conduct. We will plan, implement, and monitor arrangements to provide inclusive and safe environments.

All staff, volunteers, and any other community members involved in participant-related work are required to comply with the Code of Conduct.

Our staff will be required to undertake checks, including disability worker checks, relevant police, working with children checks, and the mandatory NDIS Worker Orientation Module. All records will be maintained in their personnel file.