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The following list of policies related to clients and Aspect services provides an overview of each policy’s objective. For more detailed information about each of these policies please contact the appropriate unit manager or central office at Frenchs Forest.
Service Entry: Community Services
Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) has clearly documented criteria to determine eligibility for its Community Services programs and services.
Aspect’s Community Services provides a range of programs and services directed at developing clients’ skills across communication, social, academic, daily living and recreation and leisure domains. It also provides support and information to parents and carers, families and service providers.
Service Entry: Schools
Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) offers an educational service to students with an autism spectrum disorder who require an intensive autism specific educational program. The primary focus of Aspect schools is to help students develop the skills to become as independent as possible and to enable them to succeed in the wider community.
Therefore, Aspect schools have a transition focus aimed at preparing children and young people for non-autism specific educational environments, whether this is in mainstream or general disability classes Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) recognises that children with an autism spectrum disorder have the right to access and equity of service regardless of their gender, race or ethnicity, religion or language.
As a service provider Aspect will respond appropriately and sensitively to the needs of the entire community including people from indigenous and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds within the limit of available resources.
Service Exit: Community Services
Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) offers an educational service to students with an autism spectrum disorder who require an intensive autism specific educational program. The primary focus of Aspect schools is to help students develop the skills to become as independent as possible and to enable them to succeed in the wider community.
Therefore, Aspect schools have a transition focus aimed at preparing children and young people for non-autism specific educational environments, whether this is in mainstream or general disability classes Aspect recognises parents or guardians or the person responsible may withdraw a child enrolled in an Aspect school and enrol the child in an alternative educational placement.
In exceptional circumstances, Aspect may decide to exit a child if it is unable to achieve an acceptably safe working environment for students and staff. Students can be disenrolled for nonpayment of outstanding school fees as outlined in Aspect’s Fees Collection Policy.
Service Exit: Leaving an Aspect School
Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) recognises that clients will exit its Adult Programs for different reasons. When a client chooses to leave a service every effort will be made to ensure they are making an informed choice as well as support their transition to a new service if appropriate.
Where a client is required by Aspect to leave the service, every effort will be made to ensure that proper consultation and procedural fairness are observed.
Aspect’s Comprehensive Educational Approach
Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) is committed to implementing and continuously improving Aspect’s Comprehensive Educational Approach.
A comprehensive approach is an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) specialised education program that includes a skill development focus together with therapeutic intervention, using a multidisciplinary team.
Sponsored Places for Students attending an Aspect School
Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) offers a limited number of fully funded sponsored places at Aspect schools for eligible students.
These places are offered by Aspect to improve access to its services by low income high need families and are allocated by Aspect according to the relative need of children and the availability of funding.
Contributing to Decision Making
Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) encourages family members/carers/guardians and clients to contribute to decision making in regard to the services Aspect provides.
Family members, carers, guardians, advocates and clients may contribute to the decision making process in Aspect in a number of ways.
Recognition of Valued Status for Adult Clients
Adult clients of Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) have the opportunity to choose to develop and maintain skills and lifestyles and to participate in activities that enable them to achieve valued roles in the community.
Aspect is committed to creating a valued status philosophy. Our value system and respect towards people with an autism spectrum disorder is recognised throughout our organisations documentation.
Complaints by People with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, Family Members and Other Aspect Clients
Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) welcomes complaints from people with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), family members, caregivers, persons responsible and other clients and regards complaints as being valuable feedback about the quality of its service and communications.
Aspect treats complaints seriously and responds to complaints sensitively and in a timely manner, having regard to procedural fairness, confidentiality and privacy.
Code of Conduct
Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) expects people who have a role within Aspect to accept they have certain obligations related to behaviour and conduct that are based in Aspect’s Values. These obligations demonstrate a duty of care and responsibility to each other, clients and the general public, and apply to all staff, that is, all employees and all volunteers.
The standards expected of all staff acknowledge both legislative and funding requirements, stakeholder expectations, and general principles expected within the public benevolent institution/not for profit sector.
Structure & Function of the Board of Directors
The Board of Directors of Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) accepts its responsibility as the governing body of Aspect detailed by its constitution and regulations and charter of corporate governance (see reference links to URLs below).
Aspect's Full Constitution
Aspect's Regulations
Aspect's Corporate Governance Statement
Registration & Accreditation Procedures: Schools
Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) is a company limited by guarantee approved by the NSW Minister for Education & Training to be the proprietor of Aspect’s schools.
The principals of the Aspect’s schools, supported by the Director, Education & Research, shall ensure that the legislative requirements for the registration and accreditation of non-government schools are carried out.
Appointment of Life Governors and Life Members
Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) recognises those people who make a significant contribution to the organisation by offering them the position of Life Member or Life Governor. Life Membership is considered for a person who has given a sum of money or rendered a level of services in-kind that the Board determines is worthy of Life Membership.
Life Governorship is considered for a person who has given a sum of money or rendered a level of services in-kind that is considerably greater than may be considered for Life Membership.
Comprehensive Continuous Improvement Approach
Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) is committed to continuous improvement through its Comprehensive Continuous Improvement Approach (CCIA) based on ten principles.
Aspect recognises that a commitment to its Comprehensive Continuous Improvement Approach (CCIA) is essential for its long term success as a leading service provider in the field of autism spectrum disorders.
The ten principles that comprise the CCIA are drawn widely from Aspect’s culture to give a more comprehensive overview of what is involved in continuous improvement for the whole organisation compared with the more traditional view of continuous improvement. It also goes beyond the quality assurance approach which is about meeting standards.
The CCIA is designed to achieve better outcomes for Aspect’s clients and their families and to help Aspect achieve its vision, mission and values. Staff are responsible for participating in continuous improvement processes. Management leads continuous improvement.
Aspect has adopted the following ten principles throughout the organisation to ensure that improvement practices are recognised as such and are maintained and developed to enhance Aspect’s ability to achieve of its goals.
Any external quality assurance programs required of Aspect is maintained through regular auditing by third parties.
Strategic Planning Process
Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) develops, implements, measures and reviews its Strategic Plan. The aim of the planning process is for Aspect is to continuously improve and develop as it moves forward.
Policy Framework
Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) is required to have its decision making framework based on an agreed policy identified as Aspect’s Policies, Guidelines & Procedures.
The policy framework is continuously improving and evolving as Aspect learns from its own experience and as it responds to external demands and requirements to undertake its business.
Corporate Risk Management
Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) identifies and manages risks that impact on the whole organisation.
Improved risk management helps drive continuous improvement in the organisation. Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) has a systematic process to identify, analyse, assess, manage and monitor risks that impact on the whole organisation.
It has adopted a risk management framework based on the Australian standard for risk management (AS/NZS 4360: 2004).
Supervision & Support (Previously Performance Management)
Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) is committed to ensuring that every member of staff receives regular effective supervision to enhance their performance in carrying out the requirements of their position and meeting Aspect’s strategic objectives.
Complaints by Staff (Employees & Volunteers)
Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) deals promptly and fairly with complaints from Aspect staff about the behaviour of other staff members or matters which adversely affect their ability to work productively in a positive environment.
Aspect endeavours to achieve procedural fairness and deal with all complaints fairly, confidentially, accurately and in a timely manner.
Occupational Health & Safety
Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) is committed to the occupational health and safety (OHS) of its employees, those contracted to perform work on Aspect’s behalf, clients and users of Aspect’s services, volunteers and visitors to Aspect’s premises and locations where work is being carried out.
Duty of Care & Dignity of Risk
Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) ensures that staff understand and implement the principles of Duty of Care and Dignity of Risk while recognising clients’ rights to make informed choices and take calculated risks.
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