Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS)

Under the Australian Government’s Serious Incident Response Scheme, integratedliving has obligations to report and manage Serious Incidents within specified timeframes, and it is our duty to ensure that all suppliers and their workers are aware of how to identify and report the eight types of reportable incidents.

1. Unreasonable use of force

For example, hitting, pushing, shoving, or rough handling a consumer.

2. Unlawful sexual contact or inappropriate sexual conduct

Any sexual contact or conduct inflicted by a staff member (including suppliers’ workers), or any touching of the consumer’s genital, anal or breast area not necessary for the provision of care.

3. Neglect of a consumer

For example, failure to provide care and services resulting in harm, frequent or regular missed instances of care, untreated wounds, or insufficient assistance during meals.

4. Psychological or emotional abuse

For example, yelling, name-calling, ignoring a consumer, threatening gestures, threats of maltreatment, humiliation, restricting social engagement.

5. Unexpected death

Where reasonable steps were not taken by the provider to prevent the death, the death is the result of care or services provided by the provider or a failure by the provider to provide care and services.

6. Stealing or financial coercion

For example, if a staff member coerces a consumer to change their will to their advantage, or steals from the consumer.

7. Inappropriate use of restrictive practices

Where restrictive practices are used in a manner that is not set out in the consumer’s care and service plan.

8. Missing consumers

Where a consumer goes missing in the course of care and service delivery, for example, while on an outing, or from their home after the worker has arrived to provide care.