Family Services Ottawa Accountability, Confidentiality and Accessibility
Accountability
Inclusivity
Family Services Ottawa believes that equitable participation by all creates strong, healthy, and vibrant work environments and communities. We acknowledge that discrimination and oppression exist in our society and are violations of human rights and an abuse of power.
Consistent with our mission and values, we believe that discrimination is an act of oppression which affects the way people view the world around them. This often shapes the perceptions of who is included and who is excluded. Acts of discrimination and oppression are not tolerated by this agency and immediate steps will be taken to address any and all allegations of discrimination and oppression.
Family Services Ottawa makes a commitment to providing services, establishing procedures and maintaining a work environment in which differences are respected and actively embraced as a source of strength in diversity.
Client Rights
All Family Services Ottawa clients have the following rights:
- To be treated honestly, with respect and dignity, and without discrimination, at all times;
- To receive services in a professional manner;
- To receive information about the Agency’s fee schedule at the start of service;
- To have their personal information kept private (except in cases where the law re-quires its release);
- To a safe and secure service environment;
- To raise issues of concern about the agency, services rendered, or experience;
- To be made aware of all significant policies and procedures related to the service they receive from Family Services Ottawa;
- To give informed consent for all services they receive;
- To know the contents of their case file(s) and to add to the record to correct inaccuracies;
- To have access to services regardless of their ability.
Client Responsibilities
All Family Services Ottawa clients have the following responsibilities:
- To participate to their fullest potential in the services provided;
- To treat all staff, volunteers, other clients and property with respect;
- To pay any fees for service as due;
- To attend as scheduled and to provide sufficient notice should they be unable to attend an appointment;
- To hold in confidence any information they learn regarding other individuals while at Family Services Ottawa.
Complaints or Concerns
Clients have the right to raise issues of concern about their counseling experience, services received, or any decisions made, by contacting their worker’s supervisor.
Complaints may be made by clients, participants or the general public. The Agency treats such communication seriously at all times and will respond as necessary and with respect for the Agency’s confidentiality policies.
PRIVACY POLICY
Family Services Ottawa is committed to protecting the privacy of individuals and the personal information used, collected or disclosed about these individuals. Family Services Ottawa is accountable to clients, employees, volunteers, services, funders and the public and such treats all information entrusted to the agency with utmost confidentiality and respect for privacy.
Family Services Ottawa adheres strictly to the current legislation governing personal privacy (Personal Health Information Protection Act). The information we collect is used to:
- Ensure we can contact you
- Maintain accountability as a service provider
- Ensure safety, legal and ethical standards are met
- Assess the quality of services provided and the effectiveness of outcomes
- All clinical files and data are the sole property of FSO-SFO and are stored in a secure location or on a secure server. Any questions or concerns can be addressed directly to the Privacy Officer.
Family Services Ottawa is the sole owner of the information collected on this site. FSO only has access to/collect information that you voluntarily give us via email or other direct contact from you. FSO will not sell or rent this information to anyone.
Unless you ask us not to, we may contact you via email in the future to tell you about specials, new services, or changes to this privacy policy.
CONFIDENTIALITY POLICY
All notes, records and communications created by Family Services Ottawa during your involvement as a client are kept secure and confidential and can be shared only with your consent. The agency keeps a record of all appointments/visits. Information may be shared within FSO for case management, quality assurance and eligibility purposes. Any information about a client is kept within the agency in strictest confidence.
There are a few exceptions to confidentiality when the law requires that our records be disclosed under strict conditions. In the following situations the law requires that reports be made and/or information released:
- Suspected child abuse
- Any life-threatening danger to a client or to a third party (threat of suicide, threat towards others)
- Court orders and subpoenas
Accessibility
At Family Services Ottawa we are committed to ensuring that our programs and services are accessible to people with physical and mental disabilities. Wherever possible, we have
implemented measures to identify and remove barriers with respect to goods, services, facilities, accommodation, employment, buildings, structures, premises and property.
Accessibility Policy
For a copy of our policy on accessibility standards click here
Multi-Year Accessibility Plan
To read our multi-year accessibility plan click here
If you require any of these documents in a different format, please call 613-725-3601 or email info@familyservicesottawa.org
Feedback
FSO welcomes your comments. Your feedback supports continual improvement in our delivery of accessible and inclusive customer service. To provide feedback about accessibility at FSO you
may do so by contacting us at 613-725-3601, in person or via email to info@familyservicesottawa.org
