SchemeWise has an incident management system in place to record and manage incidents that include where harm, or potential harm, is caused to or by a person with disability while they are receiving supports or services.
Our incident management system includes procedures for identifying, assessing, recording, managing, resolving and reporting incidents.
What should happen if an incident has occurred?
- If you are the person involved you can report the incident or injury to a SchemeWise Officer.
- If the injury requires first aid, a SchemeWise officer will support you to obtain this.
- You, your carer, family or another knowledgeable person can complete the SchemeWise incident form which is accessible HERE
- The incident will be discussed with you and promptly investigated by appropriate SchemeWise managers to identify the causes of the incident and assess any hazards that need to be controlled to ensure you (or the person) is safe.
- SchemeWise managers will discuss the incident with relevant workers and help obtain suitable risk controls to be implemented.
- Where required, SchemeWise officers may also undertake internal risk management process to assist planning and implementing mitigation to ensure you (or the person, or others) are safe.
- SchemeWise management, investigation (and where required, corrective actions) are managed within internal systems to meet audit and records needs. Reports management also allows SchemeWise to reflect on reported incidents for continuous quality improvement activities.
Can I get assistance in making my report?
SchemeWise supports your right to report any incident involving its staff or another provider. You have the right to have a family member, friend, carer or an advocate of your choice, to assist you with your verbal or written report of the incident or injury when you meet with any provider. We can provide interpretative services if required.
Reportable Incidents
Certain incidents must be notified to the NDIS Commission within certain time frames as reportable incidents.
They may involve incients where any harm has occurred, or could have occurred.
The following incidents (including allegations of same) arising in the context of NDIS supports or services must be reported:
- the death of an NDIS participant
- serious injury of an NDIS participant
- abuse or neglect of an NDIS participant
- unlawful sexual or physical contact with, or assault of, an NDIS participant
- sexual misconduct committed against, or in the presence of, an NDIS participant, including grooming of the NDIS participant for sexual activity
- the unauthorised use of a restrictive practice in relation to an NDIS participant
If a reportable incident raises a serious compliance issue, the NDIS Commission has powers to take action. Actions might include requiring the provider to undertake specified remedial action, carry out an internal investigation about the incident, or engage an independent expert to investigate and report on the incident.
You may seek support from family, a friend or an independent advocate to support you following a reportable incident. You may like to also consider accessing a disability advocate to support you - please see the Disability Advocacy Network website for assistance in doing this.
External bodies that may be able to assist include:
- NSW Ombudsman
- Anti-Discrimination Board of NSW (ADB)
- Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC)
- ACT Human Rights Commission
- ACT Official Visitor Scheme
- NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission
