Privacy And Confidentiality

We are committed to protecting the privacy of personal information we collect and hold about individuals.

Introduction

This policy ensures we protect and handle personal information in accordance relevant privacy legislation. We acknowledge an individual’s right to privacy while recognising that personal information is required to be collected, maintained and administered in order to provide a safe working environment and a high standard of quality.

The information we collect is used to provide services to participants in a safe and healthy environment with individual requirements, to meet duty of care obligations, to initiate appropriate referrals, and to conduct business activities to support those services.

The Privacy Act applies to almost every person, business and organisation in New Zealand. The Act includes privacy principles that guide how personal information can be collected, used, stored and disclosed. More information can be found here: https://www.privacy.org.nz

Applicability

When

applies to all personal information and sensitive personal information including the personal information of employees and participants applies to all company confidential information – that is any information not publicly available.

Who

applies to all representatives including key management personnel, directors, full time workers, part time workers, casual workers, contractors and volunteers.

Definitions

Term	Description
data breach	A data breach is type of security incident where personal, sensitive or confidential information normally protected, is deliberately or mistakenly copied, sent, viewed, stolen or used by an unauthorised person or parties. A data breach where people are at risk of serious harm as a result, is reportable to the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC).
personal information	Personal information includes (regardless of its accuracy): name address phone number email address date of birth recorded opinions or notes about someone any other information that could be used to identify someone.
sensitive personal information	Sensitive personal information can include personal information that is normally private such as: health information ethnicity political opinions membership of a political association, professional or trade association or trade union religious beliefs or affiliations philosophical beliefs sexuality criminal record biometric information (such as finger prints).

Privacy and confidentiality guidelines

we are committed to complying with the privacy requirements of the Privacy Act.
we provide all individuals with access to information about the privacy of their personal information
each individual has the right to opt out of consenting to and providing their personal details if they wish
individuals have the right to request access to their personal records by requesting this with their contact person
where we are required to report to government funding bodies, information provided is non-identifiable and related to services and support hours provided, age, disability, language, and nationality
personal information will only be used by us and will not be shared outside the organisation without your permission unless required by law (e.g. reporting assault, abuse, neglect, or where a court order is issued)
images or video footage of participants will not be used without their consent

Security of information

we take reasonable steps to protect the personal information we hold against misuse, interference, loss, unauthorised access, modification and disclosure.
personal information is accessible to the participant and is able for use by relevant workers
security for personal information includes password protection for IT systems, locked filing cabinets and physical access restrictions with only authorised personnel permitted access
personal information no longer required is securely destroyed or de-identified.

Data breaches

we will take reasonable steps to reduce the likelihood of a data breach occurring including storing personal information securely and accessible only by relevant workers
if we know or suspect your personal information has been accessed by unauthorised parties, and we think this could cause you harm, we will take reasonable steps to reduce the chance of harm and advise you of the breach, and if necessary the Office of the Privacy Commissioner (OPC).

Breach of privacy and confidentiality

a breach of privacy and confidentiality is an incident
a breach of privacy and confidentiality may require an investigation
an intentional breach of privacy and confidentiality will result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.

Your rights and who to contact

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions, comments or concerns about this Privacy Policy. You have the right to tell us if you:

don’t want to be contacted in the future by us;

would like to find out what information we have about you and/or would like a copy of the personal information which we hold about you;

if you think that any personal information we hold about you is inaccurate, incomplete out-of-date or irrelevant; and/or

wish to report any breaches of this Privacy Policy.

Please contact us via one of the following:

Mail: “Attention: Online Privacy”, Link Assistive, 11B MAB Eastern Promenade, Tonsley, SA, 5042, Australia

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +64 9 610 6902