Privacy & Confidentiality
Privacy and confidentiality is very important to WellStop and we keep all information you provide to us in secure cabinets or in a secure database and file storage.
We follow the rules set out by the Privacy Commissioner and ensure the information we collect is only used for the purpose that we collect it. Click here to find out more about the Privacy Code.
We ask all clients or their parents/caregivers to sign a confidentiality agreement. If we are releasing information, such as providing a report to a referrer or an external organisation (e.g. ACC, Corrections, Oranga Tamariki) we get permission first. Also, WellStop clients usually see any reports before they are sent.
We have a Privacy Policy that sets out to our staff what they must do in order to protect client’s confidentiality and privacy, and a Privacy Officer who looks after issues related to privacy.
We follow the rules set out by the Privacy Commissioner and ensure the information we collect is only used for the purpose that we collect it. Click here to find out more about the Privacy Code.
We ask all clients or their parents/caregivers to sign a confidentiality agreement. If we are releasing information, such as providing a report to a referrer or an external organisation (e.g. ACC, Corrections, Oranga Tamariki) we get permission first. Also, WellStop clients usually see any reports before they are sent.
We have a Privacy Policy that sets out to our staff what they must do in order to protect client’s confidentiality and privacy, and a Privacy Officer who looks after issues related to privacy.
Exceptions to Confidentiality
The main exception to complete confidentiality is if a client tells us they will seriously harm themselves or another person, or we believe the client is at risk of suicide. WellStop will take all steps to ensure the safety of the client and/or the other person.
This may include contacting family members, the other person, Oranga Tamariki or the Police, and/or Mental Health Crisis Services.
Also if WellStop believes that a child client is in need of Care and Protection we will undertake to ensure their safety. This may mean making a report of concern to Oranga Tamariki. If a client tells us about serious harm to someone we may need to report it.
This may include contacting family members, the other person, Oranga Tamariki or the Police, and/or Mental Health Crisis Services.
Also if WellStop believes that a child client is in need of Care and Protection we will undertake to ensure their safety. This may mean making a report of concern to Oranga Tamariki. If a client tells us about serious harm to someone we may need to report it.
There are some exceptions to our confidentiality policy for clients attending WellStop due to Harmful Sexual Behaviour.
If we find out that a client who has been referred for their own harmful sexual behaviour is having unsupervised access with a child, especially in breach of their safety plan, we will notify those who can keep the child safe. This may include Oranga Tamariki. If a Corrections client violates their court orders, we are also obliged to report this to their Probation Officer.
If we are told about sexual abuse that a client has done to an identified child who is still under the age of 16, and we understand that child does not have support, we will take steps to ensure the child’s family knows about the abuse, so the child can get help.
This may include contacting the child’s family and could include reporting the abuse to Oranga Tamariki. There is a risk that the child’s family or Oranga Tamariki could report this to the police.
If we find out that a client who has been referred for their own harmful sexual behaviour is having unsupervised access with a child, especially in breach of their safety plan, we will notify those who can keep the child safe. This may include Oranga Tamariki. If a Corrections client violates their court orders, we are also obliged to report this to their Probation Officer.
If we are told about sexual abuse that a client has done to an identified child who is still under the age of 16, and we understand that child does not have support, we will take steps to ensure the child’s family knows about the abuse, so the child can get help.
This may include contacting the child’s family and could include reporting the abuse to Oranga Tamariki. There is a risk that the child’s family or Oranga Tamariki could report this to the police.
Making A Complaint
Privacy Complaint
If you think WellStop has breached your privacy in any way you can make a complaint. First step is to contact WellStop and outline what your concern is. You can ask to speak to the Privacy Officer, Cam Cotter.
If things can’t be resolved at this level, you can take your concern to the CEO or the Chair of the WellStop Board. Finally, if you are still concerned, you can make a complaint to the Privacy Commissioner. For more information see the Privacy Commission Website.
If things can’t be resolved at this level, you can take your concern to the CEO or the Chair of the WellStop Board. Finally, if you are still concerned, you can make a complaint to the Privacy Commissioner. For more information see the Privacy Commission Website.
Other Complaints
There may be times when you have attended or had contact with WellStop and don’t feel we have acted properly.
You can make a complain verbally or in writing.
Verbal complaints can be made to the person concerned directly, or you can ask to speak with their Team Leader/Manager.
If you want to make a more formal complaint please do so in writing. You can email or write a letter or fill in one of our online complaints forms.
Please address your complaint to:
You can make a complain verbally or in writing.
Verbal complaints can be made to the person concerned directly, or you can ask to speak with their Team Leader/Manager.
If you want to make a more formal complaint please do so in writing. You can email or write a letter or fill in one of our online complaints forms.
Please address your complaint to:
- Team Leader/Manager, WellStop PO Box 31316, Lower Hutt 5040
or email us, attention: Team Leader/Manager WellStop.
All complaints will be taken seriously by WellStop and followed up. But if you are not happy with the outcome you can escalate your complaint to the CEO, the Chair of the Board, or complain to the Health and Disability Commissioner. For more information about how to do that, click here.
Clients Rights
In New Zealand there is a Health and Disability Code of Rights. WellStop respects these rights which are:
To find out more about your rights, click here.
- The right to be treated with respect
- The right to freedom from discrimination, coercion, harassment, and exploitation
- The right to dignity and independence
- The right to services of an appropriate standard
- The right to effective communication
- The right to be fully informed
- The right to make an informed choice and give informed consent
- The right to support
- Rights in respect of teaching or research
- The right to complain.
To find out more about your rights, click here.
