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Policy

Safeguarding & Zero-Tolerance Policy

Version 1.0 · Last updated: 30 July 2026· Reviewed annually

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1. Purpose

Your safety is GTI's highest priority. This policy sets out GTI's zero-tolerance approach to abuse, neglect, exploitation, and any form of harm to participants, and explains the safeguards we have in place to protect you.

2. Our Commitment

GTI has a zero-tolerance policy toward abuse, neglect, exploitation, and any harm to participants. This applies to the conduct of every person engaged by GTI — employees and contractors alike — without exception.

3. Worker Screening and Training

  • All GTI staff hold a current NDIS Worker Screening Clearance before working with any participant
  • All staff are trained in safeguarding before commencing work
  • Staff must be trained and competency-assessed before administering any medication

4. What Safe Support Looks Like

GTI staff will always:

  • Treat you with dignity and respect
  • Ask for your consent before assisting with personal care or physical tasks
  • Respect your personal space and privacy
  • Behave professionally at all times, including appropriate language and boundaries
  • Never ask you to keep secrets from your family, guardian, or the NDIS Commission

GTI staff will never:

  • Use physical force or restraint, unless specifically authorised in your behaviour support plan
  • Take or share photos or videos of you without your specific written consent (and you can withdraw that consent at any time)
  • Post images or information about participants on social media, under any circumstances

5. Medication Safety

  • Only staff who are trained and competency-assessed may administer medication
  • All medications are recorded in your medication register
  • Any medication error or concern is reported immediately to the Director, and medical assistance sought if required
  • You have the right to know what medications you take and why

6. Restrictive Practices

Any restrictive practice (e.g. physical restraint) may only be used if it is specifically authorised in your individual behaviour support plan. Use of a restrictive practice that isn't authorised, or isn't in line with your plan, is treated as a reportable incident under GTI's Incident Management & Reportable Incidents Policy and is notified to the NDIS Commission.

7. Your Emergency Plan

  • GTI works with you to develop a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP), reviewed at least every 6 months
  • Your emergency contacts are recorded and will be notified if you're affected by an emergency
  • In any life-threatening situation, GTI staff will call 000 immediately
  • A copy of your emergency plan is kept with your file and at your service location

8. If You Ever Feel Unsafe

You can say so — to any GTI staff member, to the Director, or directly to the NDIS Commission. You do not need to go through GTI first.

  • Shruti Adhikari, Director — 0426 189 249 / nurses@guidancetoindependence.com.au
  • Subrath Regmi, CEO — 0421 007 153 / info@guidancetoindependence.com.au
  • NDIS Quality & Safeguards Commission — 1800 035 544 / ndiscommission.gov.au
  • In any life-threatening emergency — call 000

Outside business hours, urgent non-emergency safeguarding concerns can be raised directly with the CEO, Subrath Regmi, on 0421 007 153.

9. Reporting and Escalation

A safeguarding concern is handled as both a complaint (see Complaints & Feedback Policy) and, where it meets the threshold, a reportable incident (see Incident Management & Reportable Incidents Policy). Both processes ensure the concern is documented, actioned, and — where required — reported to the NDIS Commission.

10. Related Documents

11. Legislative References

  • NDIS Act 2013 (Cth)
  • NDIS Code of Conduct
  • NDIS Practice Standards and Quality Indicators 2021
  • NDIS (Incident Management and Reportable Incidents) Rules 2018
  • Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth)

12. Contact Us

Guidance to Independence

General enquiries: info@guidancetoindependence.com.au · 0421 007 153

Website: www.guidancetoindependence.com.au