Leading Practice Guidelines

Rights Protection & Promotion

Type: Rights & Responsibilities

Guideline: The organization actively protects, promotes and enables people’s rights.

What does this look like?

The organization clearly articulates its values and intention related to people’s rights and this is widely shared with those receiving services, their families, staff/caregivers and the public.

People served and their support network (paid staff and family/friends) are taught about rights and responsibilities and the role that the organization has in facilitating them. This includes being good citizens, how choices and actions impact others, avoiding harm and respecting others and their property as well as exercising their rights in the community.

The organization regularly (at least annually) talks with the person and their support network about their rights, what they know about their rights, the extent to which any rights may be restricted, how these will be resolved or reviewed, and what support the person needs and wants to be able to exercise their rights.

People are supported to form advocacy organizations or join existing groups as they wish.

How would you know this is happening? (Evidence)

What you see in systems:

  • Written policy/procedure/statement on the organization’s commitment to rights protection and promotion.
  • Information about people’s rights and responsibilities is available, is clearly stated in ways in which people can understand, and is discussed regularly.
  • Documentation of the discussion/review/audit of the person’s rights knowledge, restrictions, support needed and plans towards enabling full citizenship.
  • Training being delivered to people served about their rights and responsibilities and how to gain support for their specific needs in this area.
  • Training being delivered to staff/caregivers about the organization’s commitment to the rights of the people served and their roles and responsibilities in protecting, promoting and facilitating full citizenship.

What you see in actions:

  • People are supported to exercise their rights. They receive and understand information about their rights, responsibilities and are supported to enact those rights. Stories of people exercising their civil rights, advocating against violations of their (or others) rights or demonstrations of ‘good citizenship’ are all evidence of this guideline in action.
  • The way in which staff and caregivers talk about people they support and what they do when confronted with rights violations or infringements provides evidence of this guideline in action. Their actions should be in compliance with legislation, organization policy and expectations and demonstrate a deep commitment to honour and promote people’s human rights.
  • People receive an apology if things go wrong with their services or their human rights are not respected and the organization takes responsibility for its actions.
  • People are satisfied with the supports they are provided regarding exercising their rights and responsibilities.
  • People know what to do if their rights are violated.

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