Child Safety Commitment Creative Therapy and counselling with John is committed to providing a child-safe environment. We have zero tolerance of any abuse or maltreatment of children. Our Therapy and Counselling practices reflect our commitment to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of young people in our care. Creative Therapy and counselling with John is committed to creating a community where people are safe, connected and empowered to live well with positive outcomes for all. Creative Therapy and counselling with John is committed to providing a safe and friendly service for all children and young people; including those who are of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent, from culturally and/or linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds, and those living with a disability. Creative Therapy and counselling with John will not tolerate any form of child abuse and will do everything it possibly can to prevent or minimise harm to children and young people accessing our services. Creative Therapy and counselling with John will endeavour to actively listen and respond to the voices of children and young people, and will have in place the necessary policies, procedures and practices to support the safety of children and young people under our care. The Commission for Children and Young People & Child Safety in Organisations The Commission for Children and Young People (the Commission) administer the Children Wellbeing Safety Act 2005 (Vic) and provide two significant regulatory schemes, the Child Safe Standards and Reportable Conduct Scheme. The two schemes provide guidance to organisations on how to prevent harm and aim to protect the most vulnerable people in our community, children. The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) have developed this short video that explains the Child Safe Standards: For more information on the schemes click on the links below: Child Safe Standards Reportable Conduct Scheme If you believe a child’s safety is in immediate danger, contact 000 All children have a right to feel safe, and we all have a responsibility to report identified concerns regarding children’s safety.
Risk Management Policy 1. Purpose This policy outlines how risks to participants, the counsellor, and the business are identified, assessed, managed, and reviewed to ensure safe and high-quality service delivery. ________________________________________ 2. Scope This policy applies to the counsellor, and services delivered by the business, including creative therapy and counselling supports in clinic, community, or online settings. ________________________________________ 3. Policy Statement The business is committed to maintaining a documented and proportionate risk management system that effectively manages work health and safety (WHS) risks, supports participant wellbeing, and ensures continuity of care. ________________________________________ 4. Risk Management Framework 4.1 Risk Identification and Assessment Risks are identified and assessed: •At participant intake and regularly reviewed •During service delivery and environmental checks •Across business operations (clinical, financial, WHS) Risk assessments consider: •The participant’s reliance on services for daily living needs •The potential impact on health and safety if services are disrupted •Emotional, psychological, and environmental risks relevant to therapy ________________________________________ 4.2 Risk Control Measures Controls are implemented to eliminate or minimise risks, including: •Safe therapy environments and practices •Clear boundaries and ethical therapeutic conduct •Counsellor training and supervision •Infection control procedures •Emergency response protocols ________________________________________ 5. Work Health and Safety (WHS) The business maintains a WHS system that includes: •Safe work practices for therapy sessions •Hazard identification and reporting •Regular review of work environments •Counsellor knowledge of safety procedures ________________________________________ 6. Emergency and Disaster Management Emergency and disaster plans are in place to ensure participant safety and service continuity. These include: •Medical emergency response (e.g. calling 000) •Managing participant distress or crisis •Procedures for service disruption (e.g. telehealth transition) •Evacuation and environmental safety plans ________________________________________ 7. Infection Prevention and Control Standard precautions are implemented across all settings, including: •Hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette •Cleaning and sanitisation of therapy spaces and materials •Use of PPE where required •Counsellor training and ongoing updates ________________________________________ 8. Insurance The business maintains appropriate and current insurance, including: •Professional Indemnity Insurance •Public Liability Insurance •Personal Accident / Worker Insurance Certificates of currency are maintained and reviewed annually. ________________________________________ 9. Monitoring and Review •Risk registers and assessments are reviewed regularly •Incidents and near misses inform risk improvements •Policies are updated in response to changes in practice or legislation ________________________________________ 10. Responsibilities •Business owner: Ensure systems, insurance, and compliance, •Business owner: Identify, report, and manage risks in practice •Participants: Supported to understand and contribute to risk planning ________________________________________ 11. Documentation The following documents support this policy: •Risk Register •Participant Risk Assessments •Incident Reports •Emergency Plans •Infection Control Procedures ________________________________________ 12. Continuous Improvement Risk management practices are regularly reviewed to improve safety, quality, and participant outcomes.
Work Health & Safety (WHS) Policy 1. Purpose To ensure a safe and healthy environment for participants, visitors and business owner by identifying and managing workplace risks. ________________________________________ 2. Scope Applies to the counsellor delivering creative therapy and counselling supports in all settings (in-person, community, telehealth, on-line). ________________________________________ 3. Policy Statement The business owner is committed to complying with WHS legislation and maintaining safe systems of work in line with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission requirements. ________________________________________ 4. Responsibilities •Business owner: Ensure safe systems, ongoing training, and compliance, follow safe practices, report hazards/incidents •Participants: Supported to engage safely in sessions ________________________________________ 5. Hazard Identification and Risk Control Identify hazards through: •Environment checks (therapy rooms, community settings, on-line) •Incident reports and near misses •Participant-specific risks Controls include: •Safe setup of therapy spaces •Clear boundaries and ethical practice •Supervision and training ________________________________________ 6. Safe Work Practices •Maintain clean, uncluttered therapy environments •Use equipment and materials safely (e.g. art tools) •Follow professional boundaries and therapeutic guidelines 7. Incident and Hazard Reporting •All hazards and incidents must be reported promptly •Incidents are recorded and reviewed •Corrective actions are implemented ________________________________________ 8. Infection Control •Hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette •Cleaning of surfaces and shared materials •Use of PPE where required ________________________________________ 9. Emergency Procedures •Access to emergency contacts and first aid •Clear response to medical or psychological emergencies •Evacuation procedures where applicable ________________________________________ 10. Training and Supervision Counsellor committed to: •Ongoing training (including WHS, and infection control, mental health) •Regular supervision ________________________________________ 11. Monitoring and Review •Regular safety checks •Review of incidents and risks •Continuous improvement of WHS practices ________________________________________ 12. Documentation •Risk Register •Incident Reports •Safety Checklists •Training Records
Privacy Policy Creative Therapy and Counselling with John (Compliant with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic)) 1. Introduction Creative Therapy and Counselling with John respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal and health information. This policy explains how personal information is collected, used, stored, and disclosed in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles (APPs) and Victorian Health Privacy Principles (HPPs). 2. What Information We Collect We collect personal and health information necessary to provide effective counselling and creative therapy services, including: - Name, date of birth, address, and contact details - Emergency contact information - Relevant health, developmental, and family history - Session notes, assessments, and treatment plans - Payment information and appointment records For children or young clients, information may also be collected from parents, guardians, or schools with consent. 3. How We Collect Information Information is collected directly from you (or your parent/guardian) through: - Intake forms - Written, verbal, or electronic communication - During therapy sessions - Referral letters or reports from other professionals (with consent) 4. Purpose of Collection Your information is collected to: - Provide counselling or creative therapy services - Develop and review individual treatment plans - Communicate with you or authorised persons - Maintain accurate clinical records - Comply with legal and ethical obligations 5. Storage and Security All records are stored securely to protect your privacy. - Paper files are kept in locked storage. - Electronic files are stored on password-protected systems. - Only authorised personnel have access to client information. Records are retained in accordance with Victorian law (usually 7 years after the last contact, or until the child turns 25, whichever is longer). 6. Disclosure of Information Your information will only be disclosed when: - You provide written consent, or - It is required or authorised by law (e.g. risk of harm to self or others, court order, child protection concerns), or - It is necessary for professional supervision (with identifying details removed). Information will not be shared with third parties (such as schools, doctors, or family members) without your consent. 7. Access and Correction You may request access to your records or ask for corrections if you believe the information is inaccurate or incomplete. Requests should be made in writing to Creative Therapy and Counselling with John, and a response will be provided within a reasonable timeframe. 8. Confidentiality in Sessions Everything discussed in therapy remains confidential except where: - There is a serious risk of harm to yourself or others - A child is at risk of abuse or neglect - Records are subpoenaed by a court - Disclosure is otherwise required by law These limits to confidentiality will be explained at the beginning of therapy. 9. Online Sessions If sessions are conducted online (e.g. via Zoom or other platforms), all reasonable measures are taken to ensure privacy and confidentiality. Clients are encouraged to attend sessions in a private space where possible. 10. Concerns or Complaints If you have concerns about how your personal information has been handled, please contact: Creative Therapy and Counselling with John Email: johnshicat@gmail.com Phone: 0410409539 If unresolved, you can contact: - Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner (OVIC) – www.ovic.vic.gov.au - Health Complaints Commissioner (HCC) – www.hcc.vic.gov.au 11. Updates to This Policy This Privacy Policy may be updated from time to time to reflect legal or operational changes. The most recent version will always be available upon request or displayed in the practice. Last Updated: 29/04/2026 Creative Therapy and Counselling with John
Human Resource Management Policy (Sole Trader) 1. Purpose To ensure that all supports are delivered by a competent, qualified, and skilled counsellor who meets participant needs and complies with NDIS Practice Standards. ________________________________________ 2. Scope This policy applies to the sole trader delivering creative therapy and counselling supports. ________________________________________ 3. Policy Statement The sole trader is committed to maintaining professional competence, ongoing development, and safe practice to deliver person-centred, high-quality supports. ________________________________________ 4. Worker Suitability and Records The sole trader maintains up-to-date records including: •Proof of identity and right to work in Australia •Relevant qualifications and certifications (e.g. counselling, creative therapy) •Evidence of professional experience (e.g. CV) •NDIS Worker Screening Check •Working With Children Check All records are securely stored and regularly reviewed. ________________________________________ 5. Mandatory Training The sole trader completes and maintains evidence of: •NDIS Worker Orientation Module (“Quality, Safety and You”) •Training in privacy, incident management, and complaints handling •Ongoing professional development relevant to therapeutic practice Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities are documented and reviewed regularly. ________________________________________ 6. Infection Prevention and Control The sole trader completes initial and refresher training in infection prevention and control, including: •Hand hygiene practices •Respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette •Cleaning and sanitisation procedures Training records are maintained as evidence. ________________________________________ 7. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) The sole trader: •Completes training in the correct use of PPE •Undertakes refresher training as required •Ensures PPE (e.g. masks, gloves) is available and used based on risk assessment PPE is also made available to participants where required. ________________________________________ 8. Competence and Professional Practice The sole trader ensures they: •Work within their scope of practice •Maintain professional boundaries and ethical standards •Engage in regular supervision or peer consultation •Apply evidence-based and person-centred approaches ________________________________________ 9. Monitoring and Review •Qualifications and training are reviewed annually •CPD activities are tracked and updated •Practice is reviewed through reflection, supervision, and feedback ________________________________________ 10. Documentation •Training Records •Certificates and qualifications •CPD log •Screening checks ________________________________________ 11. Continuous Improvement The sole trader commits to ongoing learning and improvement to ensure safe, compliant, and high-quality service delivery.
Reporting Feedback & Complaints If you have any feedback or concerns regarding Creative Therapy and Counselling with John, please contact us johnshicat@gmail.com or 0410409539. The Commission (CCYP) will investigate concerns that an organisation is not providing a safe environment for children or complying with the Child Safe Standards. You can contact the Commission for Children and Young People on 1300 782 978 or email childsafe@ccyp.vic.gov.au. If a person with disability could be injured or harmed soon but it's not an emergency, call the NDIS Commission as soon as possible. •Call 1800 035 544 (free call from landlines) or TTY 133 677. Interpreters can be arranged. •National Relay Service: ask for 1800 035 544. Triple zero (000) should only be called when you need police, fire or ambulance. Always call triple zero (000) if there is a threat to life or property.