Human Rights
At Hope Forward, human rights are central to the way we provide Support Coordination and Specialist Support Coordination. We recognise that people with disability have the right to make decisions about their own lives, exercise choice and control, take reasonable risks, be heard, and receive the support they need to participate in decisions that affect them.
Your choices matter
You have the right to make decisions about your life and supports, including decisions that other people may not agree with.
Support to make decisions
You should be given information in a way you can understand and supported to make informed decisions in the way that works best for you.
Dignity of risk
Having a disability does not remove your right to take reasonable risks, learn from experience and make choices about your own life.
Your voice comes first
Families, carers, nominees, guardians and other important people can have valuable roles, but your views, preferences, rights and circumstances remain central to our work, subject to any applicable legal decision-making arrangements.
Privacy, dignity and respect
You have the right to privacy, dignity, cultural safety, freedom from abuse, neglect, exploitation and discrimination.
Independent support
You have the right to seek independent advocacy, make a complaint and access information about your rights.
When people disagree
There may be times when a participant, family member, provider or other person has different views about what should happen. Hope Forward will listen respectfully to the people involved while keeping the participant's rights, preferences, safety, decision-making authority and applicable legal arrangements at the centre of our work.
Human Rights Guiding Principles
At Hope Forward, we recognise that people with disability have the right to make decisions about their own lives. Our approach is guided by the following principles:
People have the right to make decisions about matters that affect their lives.
A person's capacity to make their own decisions is presumed, and people should be supported to exercise their decision-making rights wherever possible.
People are provided with the information and support they need to make informed decisions, in a format and manner they can understand.
The support a person needs to make a decision may vary depending on the decision, its complexity and the circumstances.
When decision-making support is wanted or needed, it should be provided in ways preferred by the person and, where appropriate, involve people they choose and trust.
Decision-making support respects the person's culture, language, beliefs, identity, relationships and individual values.
Families, friends and other natural supports are encouraged to contribute when this is consistent with the person's wishes and circumstances.
People have the right to privacy, dignity, self-determination, relationships and personal expression, and to be free from abuse, neglect, exploitation and discrimination.
A person's choices should not be restricted simply because another person disagrees with them or considers their decision unwise or risky.
People are supported to understand and consider risks while maintaining their right to exercise choice and control over their lives.
The personal interests, beliefs or values of workers, providers or others providing decision-making support should not override the person's own rights, preferences and values.
People are supported to build their confidence and skills in making decisions and exercising greater choice and control.
People have the right to meaningful participation and inclusion in their community in ways that are important to them.
Where a legally appointed decision-maker has authority in relation to a particular decision, Hope Forward respects the applicable legal arrangements while continuing to support the participant's involvement and give appropriate consideration to their will and preferences.
Families and other important people can play a valuable role in decision-making. Their involvement should reflect the participant's wishes, circumstances and any applicable legal arrangements, while keeping the participant's rights, voice and preferences at the centre of the process.