COURSE OVERVIEW:
Welcome to the Workers’ Obligations Under the NDIS Code of Conduct course. This course provides essential guidance on the responsibilities and ethical standards required for workers within the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).
The NDIS Code of Conduct establishes clear principles that prioritise client safety, dignity, and autonomy. It is designed to ensure high-quality, consistent, and respectful care across all NDIS service providers. In this course, we will explore the purpose of the Code, key worker responsibilities, and the role of the NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Standards in maintaining a safe, supportive environment for clients.
Respecting client rights and choices is foundational to NDIS service delivery. This section will emphasise the importance of supporting client self-determination and autonomy, promoting freedom of expression, and encouraging client participation in their care decisions to foster a client-centred approach.
Maintaining privacy and confidentiality is crucial in respecting clients' dignity. You will learn how to adhere to privacy laws and NDIS policies, manage confidential client information, and maintain privacy during service delivery to protect clients’ personal data and uphold trust.
Delivering safe and competent services is an essential part of NDIS work. This section will cover the standards and practices necessary to ensure a safe environment, professional care, and adherence to safety protocols, fostering both worker competence and client safety.
Promoting transparency and integrity builds trust between clients and workers. You will explore ways to establish honesty and openness in service delivery, avoid misrepresentation, and handle information with integrity, enhancing the quality and reliability of care.
Responding to quality and safety concerns is part of the commitment to maintaining a secure environment. This section will focus on recognising potential issues, the importance of reporting concerns to supervisors or the NDIS, and documenting and addressing client complaints effectively.
Preventing violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation is essential in safeguarding clients’ well-being. This section will cover definitions, risk identification, and response protocols for incidents of violence or neglect, helping you proactively protect those in your care.
Maintaining professional boundaries is key to fostering ethical relationships with clients. This section will provide guidance on distinguishing between personal and professional roles, avoiding conflicts of interest, and managing relationships with clients and their families.
Adhering to work, health, and safety (WHS) requirements ensures that both clients and workers are protected from hazards. You will learn about compliance with state and territory WHS regulations, managing health and safety risks, and following your provider’s WHS policies.
Ensuring a drug and alcohol-free service environment is part of the professional conduct expected under the NDIS. You will explore policies on substance use, the importance of disclosure if medications affect service delivery, and the consequences of non-compliance.
Keeping accurate records and documentation is vital for continuity of care and quality assurance. This section will cover the importance of timely records, confidentiality in record-keeping, and guidelines for documenting client interactions.
Supporting client rights to sexual expression with sensitivity is an important, yet often complex, area of support. You will learn how to recognise and respect these rights, provide appropriate support, and prevent and report any incidents of sexual misconduct.
Addressing cultural and linguistic needs in service delivery is essential for inclusive care. This section will cover understanding diverse backgrounds, adapting communication for cultural sensitivity, and collaborating with culturally appropriate resources.
Collaborating in restrictive practices and risk management requires careful adherence to protocols. You will learn about restrictive practices, reporting requirements, and how to minimise restraint use, while following risk assessment and safety protocols to protect clients' rights.
Understanding whistle-blower protections and reporting mechanisms is crucial for maintaining ethical practices. This section will cover the role of whistleblowing in client safety, protections for reporting misconduct, and the steps to raise concerns with the NDIS Commission.
Ensuring ethical conduct in service delivery involves applying ethical decision-making frameworks. This section will explore recognising and reporting sharp practices, handling gifts and inducements appropriately, and maintaining a high standard of professional ethics.
Complying with regulatory frameworks is necessary to meet NDIS and Australian Disability Standards. You will gain an overview of relevant regulatory requirements, local and state laws, and their integration with the NDIS standards to ensure a compliant service environment.
Finally, preparing for plan reassessment and updates involves reviewing service effectiveness and collaborating with clients to plan for the future. You will learn about compiling evidence, assessing client goals, and preparing for adjustments during plan reassessment.
By the end of this course, you will be equipped with a solid understanding of your obligations under the NDIS Code of Conduct, ensuring that you can provide ethical, safe, and high-quality support that respects clients’ rights and promotes their well-being.
Each section is complemented with examples to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:
1. Introduction to the NDIS Code of Conduct
- Purpose and Overview of the Code
- Key Principles and Worker Responsibilities
- Understanding NDIS Quality and Safeguarding Standards
2. Respecting Client Rights and Choices
- Supporting Self-Determination and Autonomy
- Promoting Freedom of Expression
- Encouraging Decision-Making in Client Care
3. Maintaining Privacy and Confidentiality
- Adhering to Privacy Laws and NDIS Policies
- Managing Confidential Client Information
- Privacy in Service Delivery
4. Delivering Safe and Competent Services
- Adhering to Safety and Competency Standards
- Ensuring a Safe Environment for Clients
- Practicing Professional Care and Skill
5. Promoting Transparency and Integrity
- Building Trust through Honesty and Openness
- Avoiding Misrepresentation and Misleading Conduct
- Handling Information and Advice with Integrity
6. Responding to Quality and Safety Concerns
- Recognising Indicators of Quality and Safety Issues
- Reporting Issues to Supervisors and NDIS
- Documenting and Addressing Client Concerns
7. Preventing Violence, Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
- Understanding Definitions and Examples
- Proactively Identifying and Mitigating Risks
- Responding to Suspected or Known Incidents
8. Maintaining Professional Boundaries
- Distinguishing Personal and Professional Roles
- Avoiding Conflicts of Interest
- Managing Relationships with Clients and Families
9. Adhering to Work, Health, and Safety Requirements
- Compliance with State and Territory Regulations
- Identifying and Managing Health and Safety Risks
- Following Provider WHS Policies
10. Ensuring Drug and Alcohol-Free Service Delivery
- NDIS Policies on Substance Use and Professional Conduct
- Disclosure of Medications Affecting Service Delivery
- Consequences of Non-Compliance
11. Keeping Accurate Records and Documentation
- Importance of Timely and Accurate Records
- Guidelines for Confidential Record-Keeping
- Documentation for Continuity and Quality of Care
12. Supporting Client Rights to Sexual Expression
- Recognising Client Rights in Sexual Expression
- Providing Support with Sensitivity and Boundaries
- Preventing and Reporting Sexual Misconduct
13. Addressing Cultural and Linguistic Needs
- Understanding Diverse Backgrounds and Preferences
- Adapting Communication for Cultural Sensitivity
- Collaborating with Culturally Appropriate Resources
14. Collaborating in Restrictive Practices and Risk Management
- Definition and Examples of Restrictive Practices
- Reporting and Minimising Use of Restraint
- Following Risk Assessment and Safety Protocols
15. Understanding Whistle-blower Protections and Reporting
- The Role of Whistleblowing in Client Safety
- Protections for Reporting to the NDIS Commission
- Steps to Raise Concerns or Report Misconduct
16. Ensuring Ethical Conduct in Service Delivery
- Ethical Decision-Making Frameworks
- Recognising and Reporting Sharp Practices
- Handling Gifts and Inducements
17. Complying with Relevant Regulatory Frameworks
- Overview of NDIS Regulatory Requirements
- Compliance with Australian Disability Standards
- Integration with Local and State Laws and Policies
18. Preparing for Plan Reassessment and Updates
- Reviewing Service Effectiveness and Client Goals
- Collaborating with Clients for Future Planning
- Compiling Evidence for Reassessment and Adjustments
COURSE DURATION:
The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.
COURSE DELIVERY:
Purchase and download course content.
ASSESSMENT:
A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.
CERTIFICATION:
Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.