Preparing for independent monitoring
Information on this page:
- Are we ready?
- Commonality in quality management systems Updated January 2009
- Service outlets and sampling Updated April 2009
- Measuring quality Updated January 2009
- Resourcing Updated January 2009
Are we ready?
If you have implemented the Quality Framework (i.e. embedded the Standards and evidence indicators in a quality management system) you will be ready for independent monitoring.
You will know you have done this if you:
- have documented systems and processes in place that are consistent with the principles of the Quality Framework
- collect information via self or peer assessments of your organisation’s quality systems and processes and analyse it against the Standards
- collect and analyse information on the quality of services via consumer assessments, including people with a disability, their family members and carers
- develop and implement a quality plan that addresses identified opportunities for improvement and sets the direction for continuous improvement within the service.
Commonality in quality management systems
Updated January 2009
Disability service providers may choose to use any quality system that fits their operational needs - the core requirement is that disability service providers can demonstrate compliance with the Standards.
Many disability service providers have advised the department that they already undertake certification against other standards e.g. Home and Community Care (HACC) certification.
The department intends to map commonly used standards to confirm where these systems might contribute evidence against the Standards for Disability Service in Victoria.
Service outlets and sampling
Each funded disability service type (such as: Day Services, Shared Supported Accommodation, Respite, Behaviour Intervention) provided at or from any location is a separate service outlet of the organisation.
A representative sample of service outlets will be included in each audit. The sampling methodology is described within the independent monitoring mechanism (Procedure 34) that has been developed by Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ). You should discuss the sampling approach when making a decision about who to engage as your certification body.
Measuring quality
Updated January 2009
The Disability Act requires that disability service providers comply with the Standards.
Auditors will use the evidence indicators to assess compliance against the Standards. However, it is likely that specific evidence for each organisation and service type will differ.
The demonstration project will test the methodology of auditing against the evidence indicators across a range of organisations and activity types and evaluate how the process will most effectively operate.
Resourcing
Updated January 2009
Certification bodies will charge a fee for certification and surveillance audits.
The demonstration project will provide information on costs and approaches to reduce fees. As more is known about costs and funding, this topic will be updated.
Disability service providers will be able to exercise some control of costs. For example:
- seeking competitive quotes from more than one certification body
- developing strategic relationships with other providers to coordinate audits
- developing a relationship with auditors to utilise their knowledge and support for future audits.
The department is taking the following steps to minimise additional burden:
- Integrated Quality Management Approach (IQMA) data collection phase-out with evidence of independent certification
- surveillance audit timing dependent upon certification audit outcome
- acknowledgement of equalities with alternative quality frameworks and certifications
- disability service providers negotiate timing with certification bodies to fit organisational needs.
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