1. Policy Purpose
This Policy sets out how Kids Konnect Psychological Services collects, holds, uses and discloses personal information including sensitive information.
Kids Konnect Psychological Services collects, works and retains its clients’ personal information This information is important in the optimal provision of psychological services. However, it is also important that the information is appropriately managed in accordance with the law and ethical guidelines of the profession. The policy outlines how Kids Konnect Psychological Services, handles clients’ personal information, in accordance with Australian Privacy Principles. These privacy principles which came into force on 12th March 2014, are contained in schedule 1 of the Privacy Act 1988.
2. Relevant Laws and other Documents
Commonwealth Privacy Act 1988
Australian Psychological Society – Code of Ethics (2007)
3. What is personal information?
Personal information is any information which identifies you or could reasonably used to identify you.
4. What personal information do we collect and why?
In order to provide optimal psychological services, Kids Konnect will collect the following information from clients or referrers. As a base, the following information will likely be collected:
- Your name, address and date of birth
- Your contact details
- Current and past medical information
- Your family medical history to the extent that it may inform current services.
- Your educational and occupational history
- Legal or offending history
- Responses and results from psychological tests and questionnaires.
All of the above material is used to inform accurate assessment, diagnosis and treatment plans for Kids Konnect clients. Not having this information may increase the risk that the assessment, diagnosis and treatments plans subsequently arrived at or generated are sub-optimal.
5. Information by third parties
We will collect information directly from you where it is reasonable and practical to do so. We may also need to collect information from others who have known you a long time (such as a spouse or parent) or from others involved in your care (such as your GP, or Case Worker). We will always endeavour to keep clients reliably informed of the information collected and the source of that information, and where appropriate will seek and obtain written informed consent to contact and retrieve that information.
6. Disclose of personal information
Clients’ personal information will not be disclosed except when:
- It is subpoenaed by court; or
- Failure to disclose the information would in the reasonable belief of the Psychologist place a client or another person in serious risk to life, health or safety; or
- The clients’ prior approval has been obtained to:
a) Provide written report to another professional or agency
b) Discuss the material with another person, e.g. health provider; or
c) Disclose the information in another way; or
- Disclosure is otherwise required by law.
A clients’ personal information is not disclosed to overseas recipients, unless the client consents or such disclosure is otherwise required by law. Clients’ personal information will not be used, sold, rented or disclosed for any other purpose.
7. Access to Information
We will endeavour to take all reasonable steps to keep secure any information which we hold about you, and to keep this information accurate and up to date. If, at any time you discover that the information held about you is incorrect, you may contact us to have the information corrected.
8. Security
Kids Konnect Psychological Services applies both physical (hard copy) and information and communications technology (ICT) security systems to protect personal information.
Kids Konnect Psychological Services has put in place measures to protect against loss, misuse and alteration of electronic information. Kids Konnect also uses encryption technology to protect certain information and transactions.
Kids Konnect will manage the process of dealing with an actual or suspected breach in accordance with the Data Breach Procedure and Response Plan.
9. Psychologists Duty of Care
The Director and Psychologists of Kids Konnect Psychological Services are guided by the Australian Psychological Society’s (APS’s) code of Ethics (2007) Section A.4. which relates to the appropriate collection of private information relevant to the provision of psychological services. Sections A.5 to A.7 of the Code relate to confidentiality, the release of information to clients, and the collection of client information from associated parties. Section B.2. of the Code relates to appropriate record-keeping. The APS Code of Ethics (2007) can be obtained from the APS website: (www.psychology.org.au)
10. Changes to this Policy
We may from time to time make changes to this policy to reflect changes in the law or professional best-practice guidelines. All clients and referrers are encouraged to periodically review this policy to remain informed.
11. Concerns
If you have any further queries relating to our Privacy Policy, or you have a problem or complaint, please contact us at; office@kidskonnect.com.au
Alternatively, for more information about privacy issues in Australia and protecting your privacy, visit the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner via the following options:
Telephone: 1300 – 363-992
