Department of Human Services Standards

Introduction

Sophie Buffey, Standards and Regulation Unit, DHS

Program

• Overview of standards and related processes

• Systems and Evidence

• Activities

Department of Human Services Standards

Overview of Standards

Department of Human Services Standards

Features include:

• Department of Human Services Standards (four

service delivery standards)

• Independent review body’s governance and service

management standards

Department of Human Services Standards

• Standard 1 = Empowerment

• Standard 2 = Access and engagement

• Standard 3 = Wellbeing

• Standard 4 = Participation

Department of Human Services Standards

Independent review requirements

Department of Human Services service agreement requirements

Under the 2012-15 service agreement organisations that

provide direct client services are required, unless exempt by

the department to:

• undertake an independent review against the

Department of Human Services Standards by an

independent review body once every 3 year service

agreement period (by July 2015 unless a service

provider is required to apply for renewal of registration

prior to this date).

• obtain accreditation and remain accredited by the

independent review body. This entails full compliance

with the Department of Human Services Standards.

Activities in scope for review

Funded activities in scope of an independent review are

detailed in the fact sheet.

Service providers have a responsibility to check the

activities in scope, which are updated from time to time.

and available from the department’s website.

Department of Human Services Standards

Relationship to Registration of disability service providers and community services

Registration of disability service providers and community services

• Entities that apply for registration or renewal of their registration

under the Disability Act 2006 and/or Children, Youth and Families

Act 2005 are required to demonstrate their capacity to deliver

services in compliance with the relevant Act/s, including the

Department of Human Services Standards.

• As of the 1 July 2012, registered entities are required to apply for

renewal of registration to the Standards and Regulation Unit within

60 business days of confirmation in writing, from their independent

review body, of their compliance with the standards.

Department of Human Services Standards

Planning for the review

Outcomes of a review

• Compliance

• requirements of each standard met

• outcomes shown to be effective

• Partial Compliance

• Non-compliance (must be rectified to achieve

accreditation/certification)

• outcomes shown to be partly or non-effective.

• Other opportunities for improvement, not required to

meet the standards

Things for service providers to consider

• Is there a policy/procedure in place?

• How is it made available or communicated?

• Is it accessible and to whom?

• Do staff know how to use it?

• What is in place so that they use it?

• Are your systems evaluated?

• How do you know?

Supporting tools

The Department of Human Services has developed an:

• evidence guide

• staff and carer file audit tool (mandatory for review bodies)

• client file audit tool (mandatory for review bodies)

• self-assessment report and quality improvement plan

• standards mapping tools for each set of the previous

program standards.

Exercise – examples of evidence to meet the standards

Criteria 3.3 People have a goal oriented plan documented and implemented. This plan includes strategies to achieve stated goals. Criteria 3.4 Each person’s assessments and plans are regularly reviewed, evaluated and updated. Exit/transition planning occurs as appropriate.

Criteria 4.1 People exercise choice and control in service delivery and life decisions.

Criteria 4.2 People actively participate in their community by identifying goals and pursuing opportunities including those related to health, education, training and employment.

Criteria 4.3 People maintain connections with family and friends, as appropriate.

Criteria 4.4 People maintain and strengthen connection to their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and community.

Criteria 4.5 People maintain and strengthen their cultural, spiritual, and language connections.

Criteria 4.6 People develop independent life skills.

What evidence does your organisation have to meet this criteria? Consider the three categories of evidence: documents, knowledge and awareness and monitoring and evaluation.

Questions?

More information

To learn more about the implementation of the standards, ask

questions or provide feedback you can:

* Visit the department’s website (http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au)

(http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/about-the-department

/documents-and-resources/policies,-guidelines-and-

legislation/department-of-human- services-standards)

* Contact: Standards and Regulation Helpdesk on

03 9096 2745

* Email: dhsstandards@dhs.vic.gov.au