• Centrecare will treat all information provided by you as confidential and will ensure that all records provided to us are kept in a secure manner and available only to those persons properly authorised to have access to them. This applies to electronic as well as hard copy records, such as client files etc.

• Centrecare will take all necessary steps to ensure that the information we keep is accurate.

• At times, your counselor may need assistance and need to discuss your case with a Centrecare Supervisor/Management.

• Centrecare will ask you only for the information required to provide the service. Should we need additional information we will advise you. We are required to pass on statistical information to the government departments which fund us.

• Centrecare will not pass on any personal and/or sensitive information to an external body without your consent. In a small number of programs, it may be a condition of providing the service that we pass on to another body, certain personal and/or sensitive information. If this is the case, you will be advised by your counsellor.

• If you consider that any information we have is incorrect we will amend it, if appropriate, or we may simply note your concern and provide you with a reason why the record should not be altered. We will also note on the file your objection and what you believe is the correct record.

• In general, closed client records are kept for one year and then destroyed. Records limited to name, contact details and program utilised, including dates of contact, are kept longer. Some important records and documents may be held indefinitely, for example information held in relation to adoption.

• If you feel aggrieved by anything we do in relation to this issue you need to put your concerns in writing and send them to The Privacy Officer, Centrecare, 456 Hay Street, Perth WA 6000. In non-metropolitan offices you may prefer to contact the manager of that office. If you are still dissatisfied after you receive our reply you may appeal by writing to “The Director of Complaints. Office of the Federal Privacy Commissioner, GPO Box 5218 Sydney NSW 1042” You may also ‘phone the Commissioner’s hotline on 1300 363 992.

Limits to Confidentiality

There are limits to confidentiality as required by law and these are when there is:

• Immediate or grave danger to the subject or others (e.g. if one has reason to believe that the subject is suicidal or homicidal).
• Recent or ongoing child abuse
• Recent or ongoing abuse of a dependent adult
• Diseases or conditions subject to mandatory public health reporting
• Serious crime

If you need any further information concerning our policy and practice about privacy please ask the receptionist or you may choose to contact Centrecare’s
Privacy Officer – Executive Manager Organisational Services Perth.