Has an incident occurred? Report it via our online incident report form.

If you would like to discuss an incident with us, please contact the team via hello@hireup.com.au or on (02) 9113 5933.

Introduction

Hireup has a Zero Tolerance policy towards the risk of harm, harm, violence, abuse, neglect,exploitation and discrimination of people with disability.

Whilst Hireup is actively working to prevent incidents of abuse and neglect, we recognise that we must also have strong procedures in place to respond to allegations of abuse, ensuring that we provide quality support for clients and support workers. 

Hireup Support Workers are mandatory reporters. If you become aware of or have suspicions on reasonable grounds of the risk of harm, harm, violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation and discrimination of children or people with disability, you must report it to the relevant state-based agency or authority immediately. 

Details of state and territory agencies can be found at Mandatory Reporting Contact Numbers.

After reporting to the relevant state-based agency or authority, you must report to Hireup on (02) 9113 5933 available from 8.00am-5.30pm Monday to Friday or submit an online incident report form which is monitored 24 hours per day.  

Principles

We will ensure:

• there are no negative consequences for those who report allegations of harm, violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation and discrimination.
• all people involved in incidents relating to harm, violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation and discrimination receive quality medical, psychological and legal support.
• we seek consent from the person who experienced harm or their Account Manager (if the person is a child or has a nominated Account Manager)before we notify the person responsible of the allegation of violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation and discrimination.
• that the person who experienced harm is informed of the action response plan, including any mandatory reporting requirements.
• all reporting requirements are met and all criminal notifications are made.

Responsibilities - Clients, Account Managers and Support Workers

Observing and responding to current incidents of harm, violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation and discrimination

• Ensure the safety of yourself and those around you.
• Call emergency services (000) if anyone is in immediate danger. Emergency services will dispatch ambulance and police if required.
  • Do not move or touch any evidence the Police may need in their investigation.
  • If possible, isolate the area where the incident occurred and do not allow anyone to enter the area until the Police arrive.
  • In cases of alleged sexual assault preserve the person’s clothing, bedding or other relevant material where possible. Try and delay bathing/showering until the Police arrive.
  • In the case of unlawful physical or sexual contact including sexual assault, do not ask the person questions about what happened. That is the role of the Police.
• Call Hireup on 02 9113 5933 8.00am-5.30pm Monday to Friday or submit an incident report through the incident reporting tool on the Hireup platform.

Receiving an allegation of or suspecting violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation and discrimination

• Listen openly and without judgement to the disclosure.
• If the person informing you of the allegations or suspicion of harm is a Support Worker, remind them of their mandatory reporting obligations and refer them to the relevant agency or authority.  
• Advise the person you are supporting that they will need to report the incident or their suspicions to Hireup after reporting to the relevant agency or authority. They can report by calling Hireup on 02 9113 5933 or submitting an incident report Which is monitored 24/7 by our Incident Response Team.

Responsibilities - Hireup Support and Incident Response Teams

Receiving an allegation or suspicions of violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation and discrimination towards a client

• If the allegations or suspicions relate to a reportable incident, immediately notify the relevant agency or authority. 
• If receiving the allegation or suspicions of harm on the phone:
  • Listen openly and without judgement to the disclosure
  • Take detailed notes of the conversation, including all facts disclosed to you.
• If receiving the allegation or suspicions of harm via email or through the incident report form:
  • Review the information carefully
  • Call the notifier to seek further information or clarification.
• Advise the notifier there may be mandatory reporting requirements that Hireup and the reporter needs to comply with.
• Once the relevant agency or authority has been notified, escalate to the Trust & Safety Manager.
• Commence an investigation in accordance with any instructions issued by Police or Child Protection Agencies and in linewith Hireup’s Incident Investigation Procedure. 

The Hireup Support Office team will ensure compliance with these procedures in the response to an allegation or suspicions of violence, abuse, neglect, exploitation and discrimination or neglect towards a child or adult client:

• Reportable Incidents and Mandatory Reporting Procedure
• Incident Investigation Procedure
• Privacy Policy
• Child Safe Environment Policy

NOTE:  If a person does not want to report an incident, and has the capacity to make that choice, their decision should be respected, unless:

• a crime has been committed
• the person suffered serious harm
• their decision was made under duress
• they are still at risk of violence or abuse  
• the event falls within Hireup’s legal reporting obligations 
• there is a risk of harm for others within the environment.

Report an incident

Has an incident occurred? Report it via our online incident report form.

If you would like to discuss an incident with us, please contact the team via hello@hireup.com.au or on (02) 9113 5933.