Research Ethics Committee

Contents

1Preamble

2Scope of the HREC’s responsibilities for Ethical Review

3Institutional Accountability

4Mechanisms of Reporting

5Remuneration

6Timeframes

7Membership

8Chairperson

9Quorum

10Voting

11Staff Support

12Approval / Review of Terms of Reference

1Preamble

1.1The Scope Human Research Ethics Committee (Scope HREC) is a Scope management committee which is registered as a Human Research Ethics Committee with the National Health and Medical Research Council:

  • HREC Identification Number: EC00428
  • Organisation Identification Number:ORG0554

1.2As such, the Scope HREC is constituted and functions in accordance with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research 2007 (Updated March 2014)

2Scope of the HREC’s responsibilities for Ethical Review

2.1To advise and recommend on ethical matters arising in relation to research involving Scope.

2.2To ensure research is designed and conducted in accordance with the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research (2007) and the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research(2007, Updated March 2014)

2.3To consider the ethical implications of all proposed research the committee receives and approves, request amendment of, or reject a research proposal on ethical grounds. The proposed research will be that involving human participants which is to be carried out under the auspices of Scope or which would involve people Scope supports, itsstaff or volunteers as participants.

2.4To monitor and audit approved research to verify that the conduct of research conforms to the approved proposal.

2.5At the Scope HREC’s discretion, to undertake ethical review of relevant disability research on behalf of Australian organisations without formal HREC’s.

Effective Date:13.12.16Research

Page 1 of 4Human Research Ethics Committee Terms of Reference

2.6To adopt measures to identify and manage any real, potential and/or perceived conflicts of interest of HREC members, Scope or researchers.

2.7To handle any complaints about research or the conduct of research within Scope.

All complaints should be submitted to the HREC Officer. Complaints about the conduct of a specific research project or matters relating to HREC reviewwill be investigated by the Chairperson, and/or the CEO as appropriate. Complaints relating to the rejection of an application by the HREC should be directed to the CEO.

Where it deems reasonable and appropriate, the HREC may - on behalf of Scope - impose additional requirements over and above those of the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007, Updated March 2014) and the AustralianCode for the Responsible Conduct of Research (2007)as conditions of approval.

3Institutional Accountability

3.1Accountable to the CEO of Scope.

4Mechanisms of Reporting

4.1Internal

  • To submit an annual report and interim reporting on request to the CEO within mutually agreed specifications.
  • To provide the CEO with regular progress reports on the status of ethics applications and the monitoring of research in progress.

4.2External

  • To submit an annual report on the HREC’s compliance with the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007, Updated March 2014)) and Section 95 of the Privacy Act 1988 as required by the Australian Health Ethics Committee.
  • To submit an annual report on the HREC’s use of the Victorian Health Services Commissioner’s Statutory Guidelines on Research relating to Section 22 of the Health Records Act 2001 (Vic) to the Victorian Health Services Commissioner.

5Remuneration

5.1Membership of the Scope HREC is on a voluntary basis.

6Timeframes

6.1Meeting frequency:

  • The HREC will meet at least four times per year, with discretion for meetings to be cancelled by the HREC Chairpersonwhere there is no ethics application presented two weeks prior to a scheduled meeting.

6.2Tenure:

  • Committee members (including the Chairperson) shall be appointed for a three year term, and may be eligible for reappointment.
  • The HREC will operate in line with Scope’s Board of Directors and its sub-committees. The maximum term is nine years, is cumulative, and not required to be served continuously.The maximum term may be extended by mutual agreement between the HREC member, the Chairperson, and the CEO.
  • The outgoing HREC member may be involved in succession planning.

7Membership

7.1HREC membership will consist, at least, of:

  • a Chairperson, with suitable experience, whose other responsibilities will not impair the HREC’s capacity to carry out its obligations under this National Statement;
  • at least two lay people, one man and one woman, who have no affiliation with the institution and do not currently engage in medical, scientific, legal or academic work;
  • at least one person with knowledge of, and current experience in, the professional care, counselling or treatment of people; for example, a nurse or allied health professional;
  • at least one person who performs a pastoral care role in a community, for example, an Aboriginal elder, a minister of religion;
  • at least one lawyer, where possible one who is not engaged to advise the institution; and
  • at least two people with current research experience that is relevant to research proposals to be considered at the meetings they attend. These two HREC members may be selected, according to need, from an established pool of inducted members with relevant expertise.

7.2The HREC shall include at least one Scope staff member,one man and one woman with a disability.

7.3Appointment to and termination from membership of the HREC will be made by the Chairperson in consultation with the HREC.

7.4Any HREC member who does not attend three consecutive meetings or send comment without acceptable reason or leave of absence shall cease to be a Committee member.

8Chairperson

8.1The Chairperson shall be appointed by the Scope CEO.

9Quorum

9.1A Quorum for any given meeting or out of session review shall be achieved where six committee members have reviewed and commented on all ethics applications before the Committee. Where HREC members are unable to attend a meeting, comments provided in advance of the meeting will be included in the quorum.

10Voting

10.1The Committee, where possible, shall reach consensus on research projects under consideration. Where voting becomes necessary the decision of the majority votes shall be carried.

10.2The Chairperson shall have the casting vote.

10.3Where a Committee member abstains or dissents, this fact may, at the discretion of the member, be recorded in the minutes.

11Staff Support

11.1Scope will provide sufficient dedicated administrative support for the HREC to undertake its work, as mutually agreed by the CEO and HREC Chairperson.

12Approval / Review of Terms of Reference

12.1These Terms of Reference will be reviewed on an annual basis by the Committee and CEO.

Effective Date:13.12.16Research

Page 1 of 4Human Research Ethics Committee Terms of Reference