3.11 Aged Care Code of Conduct

Approved providers have responsibilities under the Aged Care Act 1997 (the Aged Care Act) to comply with the Aged Care Code of Conduct developed by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. Choice Community Health takes reasonable measures to ensure that aged care workers and governing persons comply with the Code.

Policy

Choice Community Health will take the required steps to ensure compliance of all code of conduct elements by all employees while delivering care.

Procedure

The code of conduct is communicated to all key personnel, employees and aged care workers. Using the Staff Code of Conduct Undertaking form, all relevant aged care personnel read, understand and sign the code of conduct, to ensure all elements of code of conduct are complied with during the provision of aged care services. The form is stored and retained as Staff Records as per the Record Management Policy and Procedure.

Aged Care Code of Conduct

The Aged Care Code sets out eight behaviour statements that approved providers, aged care workers and governing persons are expected to comply with. Approved providers have responsibilities under the Aged Care Act 1997 (the Aged Care Act) to comply with the Code and to take reasonable steps to ensure that aged care workers and governing persons comply with the Code. The code of conduct statement is as follows:

When providing care, supports and services to people, I must:

respect people’s rights to freedom of expression, self-determination and decision-making in accordance with applicable laws and conventions

act in a way that treats people with dignity and respect, and values their diversity

act with respect for the privacy of people

provide care, supports and services in a safe and competent manner, with care and skill

act with integrity, honesty and transparency

promptly take steps to raise and act on concerns about matters that may impact the quality and safety of care, supports and services

provide care, supports and services free from:

all forms of violence, discrimination, exploitation, neglect and abuse

sexual misconduct

take all reasonable steps to prevent and respond to:

all forms of violence, discrimination, exploitation, neglect and abuse