Policies

ESA’s policy and procedural documents to support its services can be viewed here.

We welcome your feedback about our policies. If you would like to input, please email [email protected].

Rights and responsibilities

Privacy policy

Early Start Australia Pty Ltd (ESA) is strongly committed to maintaining the privacy of personal information it collects as part of the services it offers.

ESA places great importance on protecting the privacy of its employees/contractors, valued clients, customers and other stakeholders.

• Privacy policy (PDF)
• Your privacy at a glance (PDF)
• Privacy information sheet (PDF)

Eliminating restrictive practice policy

Early Start Australia (ESA) recognises, upholds and promotes the rights of people with disability and their right to personal freedom.

ESA is committed to positive behaviour support and to eliminating restrictive practices.

ESA’s Eliminating Restrictive Practices Policy is designed to meet the National Standards for Disability Services, in particular Standard 1: Rights; and to meet the requirements of the National Disability Insurance Scheme Quality and Safeguarding Framework.

It complies with state and territory based legislation.

• Eliminating Restrictive Practices Policy (PDF)

Client rights and safeguards policy

The purpose of this policy is to define Early Start Australia’s (ESA) position to promote, enhance and protect our clients’ human rights; decision making, choice and control; right to informed consent, safety and wellbeing; and citizenship and quality of life.

• ESA Client Rights and Safeguards Policy (PDF)

Child safety and wellbeing policy

Early Start Australia (ESA) is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people.

This policy outlines actions we require staff to keep children safe; protect their rights; and prevent, identify and report child harm or abuse.

• Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy (PDF)

Provision of supports

Positive behaviour support policy

Early Start Australia (ESA) recognises, upholds and promotes the rights of people with disability and their right to personal freedom and is committed to positive behaviour support.

• Positive Behaviour Support Policy (PDF)

Service agreements policy

A participant who chooses to engage Early Start Australia (ESA) to provide supports under a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) plan will be required to enter into a written agreement (a Service Agreement) with us.

The policy outlines ESA’s Service Agreement principles and guidelines.

• ESA Service Agreements Policy (PDF)

Provider governance and operational management

Complaints and feedback policy

Early Start Australia values complaints and feedback from clients, families, providers and regulators.

Complaints are an important source of information and are used to continually improve the quality of services that we provide.

The ESA complaints system is designed to ensure all complaints and concerns are treated seriously and that feedback is addressed swiftly and comprehensively.

Our system is designed to meet the National Standards for Disability Services, in particular Standard 4: Feedback and Complaints; and the National Disability Insurance Scheme Commission Quality and Safeguarding Framework.

• ESA Complaints and Feedback Policy and Procedure (PDF)

Quality policy

The purpose of this policy is to define how Early Start Australia (ESA) will ensure the quality of its services, safeguard its high standards, improve systems and processes, and create an environment in which excellence in service provision will flourish.

• Quality Policy (PDF)

Consumer engagement policy

Early Start Australia (ESA) supports processes which involve consumers to inform the development and evaluation of services.

We believe that consumer participation is built on a framework of informing, listening to, responding to, and involving consumers.

This policy outlines our approach, aims and objectives in relation to consumer engagement.

• Consumer Engagement Policy (PDF)

Client Risk Management Policy and Procedure

Early Start Australia’s (ESA’s) Client Risk Management Policy and Procedure assists staff to manage risks that may arise while providing support to clients, whatever the situation or location, so that adverse effects are minimised.

It provides guidance on:
• Identification and assessment of client-related risk;
• Development of strategies to reduce the risk; and
•Monitoring and review of strategies.

• Client Risk Management Policy and Procedure