Privacy and Confidentiality
Your Safe Place
We’ve gone to great lengths to ensure Waratah is a safe place:
- There are no identifying signs at our locations in Bunbury, Busselton and Collie
- Our location is not given out, or known, by the general public
- Our service provides privacy and confidentiality
- Our staff understand the importance of feeling safe, secure and supported
What is Privacy and Confidentiality?
Waratah is committed to ensuring your privacy and confidentiality in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 and relevant State legislation.
Waratah maintains client notes. These are held in paper files or in electronic form, depending on the time at which you accessed services with us. These notes are brief descriptions of the discussions you had with your counsellor when you attended the Waratah service. We may also make note of any groups or other internal services you attended.
The notes are to assist the counsellor to coordinate, plan and assist you in completing your counselling. Waratah is required to confidentially store these notes for at least 7 years if you are an adult and for at least 7 years after your 18th birthday if you attended Waratah as a child.
Are Notes Always Confidential?
In some circumstances there are special legal requirements where Waratah must disclose information. These are:
- Subpoenas and Court Orders which require the release of information
- Child abuse including sexual abuse to a child less than 18 years of age. Under mandatory reporting laws in WA, Waratah must report the sexual assault or sexual abuse of young people up to 18 years of age to the Department for Communities
- Any indication of risk to the safety of others.
If you would like further information on confidentiality, you can contact us on (08) 9791 2884 or by email waratah@waratah.asn.a
How Can I help Maintain Privacy and Confidentiality?
Maintaining privacy and confidentiality is the responsibility of both counsellors and clients. If you attend Waratah as a client you can help all those who attend remain safe by assisting with the following:
- Please do not tell anyone the name/s of people you see visiting Waratah
- Please do not repeat personal information from conversations you may participate in or may overhear while visiting the centre
- Please do not use your mobile phone while visiting the service
Maintaining privacy and confidentiality ensures everyone is safe when seeking services from Waratah.
