Purpose of Interest

The Carinya Society (Carinya) is committed to high standards of ethical conduct and accordingly, places great importance on making clear any existing or potential conflict of interests.  It also places great importance on the management of any identified conflict of interest should they arise.  This Policy has been developed in order to provide a framework for all Carinya employees including those in management positions, in declaring conflicts of interest.

Principles

• Carinya values transparency in information and as such supports employees or potential employees to be transparent in raising conflicts of interest.
• All identified conflicts of interest will be disclosed by the individual prior to a potential staff member commencing in their role.
• Any conflicts of interest identified post-commencement must be declared.
• Identified conflicts of interest will be managed accordingly.

Policy

Carinya Society will do all within its power to identify, manage or eliminate conflicts of interest that may affect the achievement of positive outcomes for all participants. All such conflicts of interest shall be declared by any staff member concerned.

This policy has been developed to address conflicts of interest affecting Carinya and their participants.

Conflict of interest is common, and they do not need to present a problem to Carinya, as long as they are openly and effectively managed.

It is the policy of Carinya as well as a responsibility of the team that ethical, legal, financial or other conflicts of interest be avoided and that any such conflicts (where they do arise) do not conflict with the obligations to Carinya. This will be conducted by:

• Ensuring the organizational or ethical values do not impede a participant’s right to choice and control
• Managing, documenting and reporting individual conflicts as they arise
• Ensuring that advice to a participant about support options is transparent and promotes choice and control
• Carinya ensuring that all participants are treated equally and that no participant is given preferential treatment above another in the receipt of the provision of supports.

Carinya will manage conflicts of interest by requiring team members to

• Avoid conflicts of interest where possible
• Identify and disclose any conflicts of interest
• Carefully manage any conflicts of interest, and
• Follow this policy and respond to any breaches

Definitions

Conflict of Interest – occurs when an individual’s personal interests conflict with their responsibility to act in the best interests of the business or customer.

Personal interests include direct interests, as well as those of family, friends, or other organizations a person may be involved with or have an interest in.

It also includes a conflict between a team member’s duty and another duty that the team member has (for example another occupation).  A conflict of interest may be actual, potential or perceived and may be financial or non-financial.

These situations present the risk that a person will make a decision based on, or affected by, these influences, rather than in the best interests of Carinya or their participants. Examples of a Conflict of Interest that may occur (but are not limited to) was a known person has engaged the services of Carinya.

REFERENCES

NDIS Act 2013 (Commonwealth)
NDIS Practice Standards / Guidelines / Rules 2018

Implementation:          Management Team
Review:                       Quality Advisor
Approval:                    Management Team