The work of Disability Services Commissioner is underpinned by our purpose, vision, mission, values and guiding principles. They guide our work across handling complaints, education, and matters referred to us from the Minister. Our focus is on the rights of the person with disability.
OUR PURPOSE
The Disability Services Commissioner is an independent oversight body resolving complaints and promoting the right of Victorians with disability to be free from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.
OUR VISION
People with disability are seen, heard and recognised as equal citizens.
OUR MISSION
To safeguard the rights of people with disability and improve the services they receive.
OUR VALUES
We are committed to the following values:
Rights
We affirm that people with disability have the right to participate in the social, economic, cultural, political and spiritual life of society.
Respect
We treat all people with dignity, sensitivity and courtesy. This includes respecting privacy and the confidentiality of information and treating all complaints seriously.
Fairness
We build trusting relationships through open and honest communication. We remain objective and unbiased, applying principles of natural justice so that all involved are given the opportunity to respond to any issues raised.
GUIDING PRINCIPLES
We are committed to high quality services for people with disability and place emphasis on people being at the centre of the services they receive.
Accessible
We are accessible to people with disability and other key stakeholders through clear and effective communication that is easy to use and understand. We provide clear information about the right to complain, how to complain, where to complain and how complaints will be handled.
Person centred
We respect and value the knowledge, abilities and experiences of people with disability and support them to make choices about their lives to enable each person to live the life they want to live. We take actions that seek to achieve the best possible outcomes for people with disability.
Responsive
We provide timely assistance to people with disability, families, carers and service providers. We keep people informed of the progress of complaints and quickly make warm referrals when needed.
Accountable
We work to clear objectives in a transparent manner accepting responsibility for decisions made, being open to appropriate levels of scrutiny and ensuring all conflicts of interest are disclosed and acted upon.
Excellence
We continually seek ways to improve how we do things and promote learning cultures in disability service organisations to ensure that complaints are vital to continuous improvement.
Child Safe
We are committed to being a child safe organisation.
Diversity and inclusion
We value Victoria’s rich cultural diversity and ensure our practices are inclusive.
We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as our First Peoples and recognise their culture, history, diversity and deep connection to the land.
