Your Right To Privacy

C-BERS Services has always respected the right of our clients to privacy. We have always handled our clients' records and all other information we hold with respect and sensitivity. We adhere to the National Privacy Principles of the Commonwealth Privacy Amendment Act (2001). This privacy policy document outlines our policy and what that means for you.

Your Personal Information

We only collect personal information that is necessary to provide the service to you. To provide travel assistance, counselling and other services to clients it is necessary for us to have personal information about clients. To provide information to you and to the community we need to maintain a mailing list.

Use of Information

If you receive our newsletter your name and contact details are on our mailing list. If you see a counsellor, we keep a record of information you provide This includes information such as your name and contact details, information about your family, your history and any issues that we may be able to help with. We tell you how information about you is to be used. It is usually clear, for example, that the information is necessary to help you reunify with your family, apply for assistance or for us to record the services we provide to you. If you are unsure why the information is needed, please ask. We use some information for statistical purposes (for evaluation of our service and planning future services). Statistical reports do not include any identifying information.

Disclosure of Information

We keep information about you confidential to this agency unless we have your permission to mention it to another specified agency or person or if we were required by law to do so. We explain when we need to give information to other agencies who may be able to help. We seek your approval before we release the information. In the course of reporting to funding bodies, we never disclose any personal client information.

Accuracy

We keep information about you up-to-date and accurate as much as possible. Please let us know of any changes so we can change our record to make sure it is accurate.

Protection

We keep information about you protected. All information whether on file, in the computer database or shared confidentially with a staff member, is considered strictly confidential. Files are always securely locked away, the computer database is password protected and staff never discuss your situation with anyone without your permission.

Access

You can access information we hold about you; if you wish to see your file please ask your counsellor. If it is incorrect, we will correct/update it or allow you to add to it.

Privacy Policy Document

We will issue a copy of this Privacy Policy document to you if you wish. Please ask the Administration Manager. If you have any questions about privacy please feel free to contact us

Phone: (08) 9433 3644 or 1800 621 805
E-mail: welcome@cberss.org
Mail: 24 High St, Fremantle, Western Australia, 6160

Retention and Disposal of Client Information

Client records are retained for at least 7 years after contact with a client has finished. When client records are archived, the counsellors working notes are destroyed and summary information only is kept. The records will be sealed and suitable security arrangements made.

Complaints

We have a complaints handling process. If you are not happy with the way we are protecting your privacy (or any other matter), please contact your counsellor or the Administration Manager in the first instance. If the matter cannot be resolved there, contact the Chair of the Management Committee.

Changes

The Management Committee of C-BERS may make changes to this privacy policy at any time.

We regard privacy as a right
and will do all we can to respect the trust you have placed in us.