Shield Disability Services is committed to protecting and respecting the privacy, dignity, and confidentiality of all participants, their families, carers, staff, volunteers, contractors, management, and partner organisations.

We recognise that participants have the right to privacy and to have their personal information handled with care, respect, and confidentiality. Shield Disability Services is committed to collecting, using, storing, and managing personal information responsibly to ensure participants receive safe, high-quality, and person-centred supports.

All employees, management, volunteers, and contractors are required to maintain confidentiality and exercise professional judgment when creating, accessing, using, or sharing participant information. Access to personal information will only be provided to authorised individuals who require the information to perform their duties or where disclosure is required or permitted by law.

Shield Disability Services operates in accordance with the requirements of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Practice Standards, the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission, the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), and the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs).

Shield Disability Services will ensure that every participant:

• understands what personal information is being collected and why it is required;

• is informed about how their information will be used, stored, and protected;

• provides informed consent before personal information is collected, shared, or disclosed, unless otherwise required by law;

• provides written consent before any photographs, videos, audio recordings, or other visual media are collected or used for promotional, educational, or service-related purposes; and

• is informed whenever audio or visual recording is taking place.

To support informed decision-making, Shield Disability Services will communicate this Privacy Policy using language, communication methods, and formats that best meet each participant's individual needs. Easy Read resources, interpreters, translated materials, and other accessible communication supports will be provided wherever reasonably practicable.

Shield Disability Services is committed to ensuring that:

• all participants are treated with dignity, respect, and confidentiality at all times;

• personal and sensitive information is collected only when necessary for providing safe and effective services;

• participant information is stored securely in both electronic and hard-copy formats and protected against unauthorised access, loss, misuse, or disclosure;

• interviews, assessments, and discussions involving personal or sensitive information are conducted in a private and confidential environment;

• participants are informed of their rights regarding privacy, confidentiality, and access to their personal information;

• staff, volunteers, contractors, and management receive appropriate training regarding their privacy and confidentiality obligations;

• personal information is only disclosed with participant consent or where disclosure is authorised or required by law; and

• reasonable adjustments, including interpreters and accessible communication resources, are available to ensure participants fully understand their privacy rights.

Shield Disability Services will regularly review its privacy practices to ensure ongoing compliance with legislative requirements and continuous improvement in protecting the personal information of everyone who accesses our services.

This Privacy Policy applies to all personal information held by Shield Disability Services, whether stored electronically, in hard-copy records, or communicated verbally during interviews, meetings, assessments, support planning, or other service delivery activities.