Keeping you safe,
keeping us good

Our safeguarding commitment

We believe safeguarding is most effective when it’s built into how we operate every day — not added on after the fact. Our commitment rests on four principles:

• Prevention first — get recruitment, training, and culture right so harm is less likely to occur
• Early detection — create the conditions where concerns are raised and heard early
• Proper response — when something does happen, act quickly, transparently, and in line with the law
• Continuous learning — every incident and piece of feedback informs how we do better

Worker recruitment & screening

Every support worker we employ must complete the following before delivering any shift:

• NDIS Worker Screening Check — a nationally-consistent check that screens for offences that would make someone unsuitable to work with people with disability
• Working with Children Check — where they may work with participants under 18
• Reference checks — direct contact with previous employers, including specific questions about conduct, reliability, and fit
• Right-to-work verification — proof of Australian work rights
• Interview assessment — structured interview including scenario questions focused on values, judgement, and safeguarding awareness
• Identity verification — 100 points of ID

Worker Screening Check clearances are rechecked annually. If any alert appears on a worker during their employment, we are notified and act immediately.

Training & induction

Before a worker starts shifts, they complete induction training covering:

• NDIS Code of Conduct and practice standards
• Participant rights and dignity
• Safeguarding and recognising signs of abuse, neglect, and exploitation
• Incident reporting procedures and whistleblower protections
• Privacy and confidentiality
• Trauma-informed practice
• Cultural safety and inclusion
• Manual handling and workplace safety
• First aid (certification required)
• Medication support procedures (where relevant to the role)

Ongoing training is refreshed annually, with additional training delivered in response to incidents, new regulations, or identified gaps.

Zero tolerance for abuse

Anchor & Aim has a zero-tolerance approach to any form of:

• Physical, emotional, sexual, or financial abuse of participants
• Neglect or failure to provide care
• Exploitation, including inappropriate relationships with participants
• Discrimination on any grounds
• Coercion, manipulation, or undue influence
• Use of unauthorised restrictive practices

Any worker found to have engaged in such conduct faces immediate disciplinary action, including termination, and will be reported to the NDIS Worker Screening Unit and Victoria Police where a criminal offence may have occurred.

Supervision & support for workers

Well-supervised, well-supported workers deliver safer care. Our approach includes:

• Regular one-to-one supervision sessions with the Director
• Reasonable case loads — we don’t stretch workers across too many participants
• After-hours support for workers needing advice on a complex shift
• Debriefing after difficult incidents
• Annual performance review with development planning
• Clear escalation pathways when something doesn’t feel right

Whistleblower protection

Any worker, participant, family member, or community member who raises concerns about our practice in good faith is protected from retaliation. Specifically:

• Workers cannot be disciplined, terminated, or disadvantaged for raising a safeguarding concern
• Participants cannot have their supports reduced or withdrawn for complaining
• Confidentiality is protected throughout any investigation, within the limits of mandatory reporting obligations
• Reports can be made anonymously

Quality management

We maintain an active quality management system that includes:

• Regular participant check-ins — we proactively ask about your experience, not just when there’s a problem
• Documented service reviews — at least every 12 months, or more often if your needs change
• Complaint and incident analysis — every quarter, to identify patterns and improvements
• Worker performance monitoring — including random shift observations and participant feedback
• Policy reviews — all policies reviewed annually or when regulation changes
• External audits — engaged with NDIS Practice Standards compliance and registration renewal processes

Working with others

Safeguarding is a shared responsibility. We actively collaborate with:

• Your support coordinator or plan manager — for joined-up oversight
• Your treating health practitioners — where relevant to your wellbeing
• Independent advocates — whenever you involve one
• The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission — for reportable incidents and compliance
• Victoria Police and other authorities — where safety or criminal matters arise

Our obligations under law

As an NDIS provider, we operate under:

• National Disability Insurance Scheme Act 2013 (Cth)
• NDIS (Provider Registration and Practice Standards) Rules 2018
• NDIS (Incident Management and Reportable Incidents) Rules 2018
• NDIS Code of Conduct
• Privacy Act 1988 (Cth)
• Disability Act 2006 (Vic)
• Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic)
• Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic)
• Child Wellbeing and Safety Act 2005 (Vic)

Raising a safeguarding concern

If you are concerned about the safety of a participant — whether yourself, someone you care for, or someone else receiving our supports — please contact us immediately:

• Phone: 0411 727 133
• Email: hello@anchoraim.com.au

You can also report directly to:

• NDIS Commission: 1800 035 544 · ndiscommission.gov.au
• Victoria Police: 131 444 (non-emergency) · 000 (emergency)
• 1800RESPECT (sexual assault, domestic violence): 1800 737 732
• Lifeline: 13 11 14