COLLECTION AND USE OF YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION

headspace Ballarat is required to collect personal information from you so we can contribute to the provision of quality health care. In doing so, we would like your permission to collect this information and ensure that you understand this information will be collected and stored confidentially. Confidentiality means your right to expect that the information you give us will be kept private.  Knowing that information will be kept private and that you have a right to access this information is important if we are to develop a trusting relationship. All information we collect about you will be stored in a secure place in accordance with the Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002 (Vic) and the Privacy Act 2000 (Commonwealth).

 

The following information about you will be collected and stored:

• Name and contact information
• How you came to headspace Ballarat and what happens when you visit and make contact with a headspace Ballarat staff member
• Your support plan and progress towards achieving your goals
• Your well-being including mental health, physical health, use of alcohol and other drugs
• Your experiences or history which affect your well-being
• Your employment goals
• Any other information which relates to your care and support
   

The following people have the right to access information about you:

• Any headspace Ballarat staff member who is providing you with support
• Your doctor and the service that referred you to headspace Ballarat
   

The following people may have limited access to information about you:

• headspace Ballarat administrative staff
• Medicare and Ballarat Community Health, for the purposes of billing
• headspace National Office and Ballarat Community Health for the purposes of collecting data, research and evaluations.  Information is de-identified and therefore anonymous
• Anybody else you would like involved in your care and who you have given us permission to share your information with
   

Disclosure:

There are certain laws which require headspace workers to disclose certain information about you to other parties under certain circumstances. We will need to take action and give information to other people if:

• You are at risk of hurting yourself or are at risk of being hurt
• Any child is at risk of being hurt
• Someone in the community is at risk of being hurt
• We are told about a serious crime
• A court orders us to produce the information under a subpoena or other court order

 

If we need to give information about you to other people, we will only give information that needs to be disclosed and only to those people who need to be told. We will always tell you when we are giving people your information and explain the reasons why.  You need to be aware that we may still decide to talk to people even when you ask us not to.

Young People have the right to comprehensive and integrated mental health care that meets their individual needs and achieves the best possible outcome in terms of their health and wellbeing.

At headspace we:

• believe all young people are important and deserve the best care possible
• listen and try to understand the needs of young people so they can help them achieve better health and wellbeing
• work with other mental health and community agencies to improve the lives of young people
• give young people a voice and continually try to influence government and leaders on their behalf, for better mental health services
• acknowledge the unique place and historical context of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities within Australia and the need for specific consideration in relation to all functions of the headspace model
• provide a service that is compassionate, inclusive, responsive, passionate, and innovative

 The rights and responsibilities of young people are upheld by headspace Ballarat and are documented, prominently displayed, applied and promoted throughout all phases of care. headspace Ballarat works together with young people to ensure they receive support in a safe and secure environment. We aim to provide a place that is physically safe and where ideas, feelings and emotions are treated with respect.

As part of headspace Ballarat, people have the right to:

• a high-quality, professional, non-judgemental service
• feel safe and supported
• voice thoughts, feelings and opinions and have them listened to
• work together with staff on common, identified goals and care plans
• be included in decision making on issues that affect their life
• provide feedback to headspace Ballarat about the service and their care
• ask to see the information we have kept on them

 As part of headspace Ballarat, it is the young person’s responsibility to:

• treat headspace Ballarat staff with respect and dignity and recognise that we are here to help
• attend their appointments with headspace Ballarat staff
• make every effort to contact headspace Ballarat if they are unable to make their appointment
• actively participate in development and implementation of their care plan with their headspace Ballarat staff

 

If at any time, a young person feels like they are not having their rights met, they are welcome to discuss this with a staff member, put a note in the suggestion box, or make a complaint. Refer to the Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure displayed in the reception/waiting area or request a copy from info@headspaceballarat.org.au