Search
Close this search box.
Your Rights

You may be new to Arafmi or have been connected with Arafmi in some way over a number of years. It is important for all carers that we take time to remind everyone about rights, expectations and how to give feedback to ensure safe and supportive services and programs are maintained. 

We ask you to take a couple of minutes to familiarise yourself with the following information. 

As a carer connecting with Arafmi you can expect Arafmi will: 

  • only collect and store personal information that is considered essential for effective operation of Arafmi and the services for carers e.g. contact details for membership database, contact details to send newsletters and reminders for events 
  • will maintain confidentiality within Arafmi at all times 
  • will only release or transmit your personal information if you give relevant consent or we are required to share this by law. e.g. if you would like to be referred to another service we would gain your consent before making the referral and sharing personal details to a third party 
  • ask for your consent prior to recording material in visual and/or audio format. This includes having your consent prior to including images in newsletters, flyers and promotions 
  • ensure when collecting information for statistical and planning purposes we will only collect what is needed for these purposes and de-identify information when personal details are not needed to provide supports 
  • respect individuals’ choice not to share their name and or personal details when contacting Arafmi. We will however explain that we may be limited in what supports we can provide if we aren’t provided with certain details 
  • protect your privacy and make sure personal paper and electronic file / information is stored securely 
  • arrange for you to opt out of marketing and unsubscribe when this is requested 
  • behave honestly and with integrity 
  • provide safe, sensitive and appropriate programs for carers and their networks 
  • respect the opinions of others and approach any differences in opinion in an open and non-judgmental way 
  • receive and listen to your feedback ensuring this is responded to according to relevant policies and procedures 
  • actively seek feedback from carers and involve carers in decision making and planning where possible and appropriate 

We also have expectations of carers which ensure we can provide safe and professional supports for other carers and volunteers and staff at Arafmi. 

Expectations of carers include: 

  • letting us know what supports you need and how you want to receive these (eg over the phone, with an interpreter) 
  • maintain confidentiality when others have shared information of a sensitive and private nature e.g. in a group 
  • letting us know if you are unable to attend an appointment or event so we can try to reschedule an appointment at a convenient time or offer the space to another carer 
  • informing us if any of your relevant personal details change so we can update your records as needed e.g. moved house? changed email? – let us know so you don’t miss out of opportunities, events and information 
  • always treating others with respect and the way you would like to be treated 
  • providing feedback about the supports, programs and information provided. This includes sharing compliments, comments and feedback about any aspect that you are not satisfied with. Getting feedback is the only way we can know what is working well and what needs to be adapted and improved. We will actively seek feedback e.g. through surveys and you can give feedback at any other time. 

Initially if you have feedback to give about any aspects of the programs and supports you can contact the Carer Support Team by 

Phone: 07 3254 1881 
Email: carersupport@arafmi.com.au
Write: PO Box 248 New Farm Qld 4005 

If your feedback is of a sensitive or private nature you can email Frie Robinson (Carer Support Manager) at frierobinson@arafmi.com.au

If you are not satisfied with our response, you can then request a meeting to discuss the matter further with the CEO or their delegate. 

Thank you for taking time to reading these reminders. 

If you would like further information about the above, have any queries or would like to receive a copy of any of the following relevant policies please let us know: 

  • Policy 1.13 Confidentiality and Privacy 
  • Policy1.13.1 Website Privacy Policy 
  • Policy 1.14 Feedback, Complaints and Appeals Policy 

Related Posts:

Arafmi Mental Health Carer Forum 24
Advocacy

Arafmi’s Mental Health Carer Forum 2024

Are you caring for someone experiencing mental ill-health? Want to meet others who are in the same situation, talk through the issues, challenges, explore some solutions and have some fun?  Then come along to Arafmi’s free Mental Health Carer Forum.  The forum will be held during National Carers Week (13-19 October), a time to recognise, celebrate, and raise awareness about the 3 million Australians who provide care and support to family members or friends. There are two ways to participate in the forum this year: Submit an Expression of Interest to attend in person at The Ballroom, Victoria Park, Herston Or watch online via YouTube. You will have the opportunity to: Hear from key speakers including Brian Herd, Australia’s leading expert on law relating to older people and future planning; Shanon Cooper, a mental health carer with extensive experience in the human services sector; and Ivan Frkovic, Queensland’s Mental Health Commissioner. Learn how to use your Lived Experience as a mental health carer to advocate for policies and services that better support you and the person you care for. Engage in discussions with key representatives from mental health organisations on issues that matter to you. Discover the latest information about

Read More »
Human Rights Submission
Advocacy

Submission to review of Queensland’s Human Rights Act 2019

Submission to the Human Rights Act Review Arafmi recently made a submission to the Independent Review of Queensland’s Human Rights Act. The Human Rights Act was established in 2019 to protect and promote the human rights of Queenslanders when they interact with Queensland Government departments and services, including public hospitals, public mental health services, police and public schools. In our submission we highlighted that due to lack of appropriate mental health services, many mental health carers feel they do not get a choice in taking on a caring role, which is in essence a lack of protection of their right to freedom from forced work. We provided examples of where public systems and services are not balancing the rights of carers with the rights of those they care for, including in relation to privacy, liberty and security of person.  We also suggested that the right to social and economic participation should be considered for inclusion under the Human Rights Act and that much greater attention needs to be given in public policy and services to the protection of whole families (using the broadest possible definition of families) and children and young people who are caring for someone with mental ill-health.

Read More »
Skip to content