The NDIS Code of Conduct sets out the standards of behaviour expected of workers and providers delivering NDIS supports and services. It helps ensure NDIS participants are treated with respect, supported safely and protected from harm.
If you work as a support worker, understanding the NDIS Code of Conduct is an important part of providing safe, professional and participant-centred support.
What Is the NDIS Code of Conduct?
The NDIS Code of Conduct is a set of requirements that applies to NDIS providers and workers delivering NDIS supports and services.
The Code is designed to promote:
- Respect for participants
- Safe and ethical support
- Participant rights
- Quality services
- Prevention of abuse, neglect and exploitation
The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission oversees the Code of Conduct.
Who Does the NDIS Code of Conduct Apply To?
The NDIS Code of Conduct applies to:
- Registered NDIS providers
- Workers employed by registered providers
- Unregistered providers delivering NDIS supports
- Workers delivering NDIS-funded supports and services
If you provide NDIS supports, the Code of Conduct is relevant to your work.
Why Is the NDIS Code of Conduct Important?
The Code helps create clear expectations about how participants should be treated.
It supports:
- Participant safety
- Choice and control
- Respect and dignity
- Professional conduct
- High-quality support services
Understanding the Code helps support workers make decisions that protect participants and promote positive outcomes.
What Does the NDIS Code of Conduct Require?
The Code requires workers and providers to act with integrity, honesty and respect when delivering supports.
In practice, this means support workers should:
- Treat participants with dignity and respect
- Support participant choice and decision-making
- Respect privacy and confidentiality
- Provide supports safely and competently
- Act professionally
- Prevent and respond appropriately to risks of harm
- Take concerns seriously
The Code applies across all types of NDIS-funded supports.
What Does Respecting Participant Rights Mean?
Participants have the right to make decisions about their own lives.
Support workers should:
- Listen to participants
- Respect preferences and choices
- Support independence
- Promote dignity and inclusion
- Recognise the participant as the decision-maker wherever possible
Supporting choice and control is a key principle of the NDIS.
What Does Safe and Competent Support Look Like?
Support workers should only provide supports they are appropriately trained, skilled and confident to deliver.
This includes:
- Following relevant policies and procedures
- Understanding participant support needs
- Seeking guidance when necessary
- Working within the limits of their role and experience
Providing support safely helps protect both participants and workers.
What Does the Code Say About Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation?
The NDIS Code of Conduct requires workers to take steps to prevent and respond to violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation and misconduct.
Support workers should never ignore concerns about participant safety.
If a worker becomes aware of a serious concern, they should follow the relevant reporting and escalation processes.
Participant safety should always be taken seriously.
What Does the Code Say About Privacy and Confidentiality?
Support workers often have access to personal information about participants.
Workers should:
- Protect personal information
- Respect confidentiality
- Only share information when appropriate and authorised
- Handle participant information responsibly
Respecting privacy is an important part of professional practice.
What Are Professional Boundaries?
Professional boundaries help create safe and respectful support relationships.
Examples include:
- Maintaining appropriate relationships
- Avoiding conflicts of interest
- Acting professionally during supports
- Keeping the participant's needs at the centre of decision-making
Strong professional boundaries help protect both participants and support workers.
What Happens if a Support Worker Does Not Follow the Code?
Failure to comply with the NDIS Code of Conduct can have serious consequences.
Depending on the circumstances, outcomes may include:
- Complaints
- Investigations
- Corrective action
- Restrictions on providing NDIS supports
- Other regulatory action
The appropriate response depends on the nature and seriousness of the conduct.
How Can Support Workers Follow the Code in Everyday Practice?
Good practice includes:
- Treating participants with respect
- Listening to participant preferences
- Maintaining professional boundaries
- Protecting privacy
- Keeping accurate records
- Communicating honestly
- Raising concerns when safety issues arise
- Seeking guidance when unsure
Small day-to-day decisions often have the biggest impact on participant experience and safety.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NDIS Code of Conduct?
The NDIS Code of Conduct sets out the standards of behaviour expected of workers and providers delivering NDIS supports and services.
Does the NDIS Code of Conduct apply to independent support workers?
Yes. The Code applies to workers delivering NDIS-funded supports and services, including many independent support workers.
Why is the NDIS Code of Conduct important?
The Code helps protect participants, promote quality supports and ensure workers act safely, respectfully and professionally.
Does the Code cover participant privacy?
Yes. Workers are expected to respect participant privacy and handle personal information responsibly.
What should a support worker do if they are concerned about a participant's safety?
Workers should take concerns seriously and follow the appropriate reporting or escalation processes relevant to the situation.
Does the Code require support workers to respect participant choice?
Yes. Supporting participant choice, dignity and independence is an important part of providing NDIS supports.
NDIS Quality & Safeguards Commission
Comments
0 comments
Please sign in to leave a comment.