The document outlines the standards and processes set by the Department of Human Services for service delivery, focusing on four core standards: empowerment, access and engagement, wellbeing, and participation. It mandates that organizations delivering client services must undergo independent reviews and maintain accreditation every three years, ensuring compliance with the established standards. Additional resources and tools for service providers are provided to facilitate adherence to these standards.

1. Department of Human Services Standards
Introduction
Sophie Buffey, Standards and Regulation Unit, DHS

2. Program
• Overview of standards and related processes
• Systems and Evidence
• Activities

3. Department of Human Services Standards
Overview of Standards

4. 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

5. Department of Human Services Standards
• Standard 1 = Empowerment
• Standard 2 = Access and engagement
• Standard 3 = Wellbeing
• Standard 4 = Participation

6. Department of Human Services Standards
Independent review requirements

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. Department of Human Services Standards
Relationship to Registration of disability service
providers and community services

10. 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.

11. Department of Human Services Standards
Planning for the review

12. 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

13. 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?

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. Questions?

17. 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