In January 2009, State, Territory and the Australian Government Disabilities Ministers signed up to a new National Disability Agreement (NDA), providing a national framework and key areas of reform for the provision of government support to services for people with disability.
One of the key focus areas in the NDA is to provide a nationally consistent approach to Quality Assurance. In response, all Disability Services Ministers agreed to develop a National Quality Framework (NQF) for Disability Services in Australia, the aim of which is to promote and drive quality of services and outcomes for those who use them.
To support the implementation of the NQF, a review of the National Standards for Disability Services (introduced in 1993) was announced. From the review it is expected that gaps in the current National Standards will be addressed, and contemporary language and concepts will be included. As part of the development and implementation of a NQF, investigation is also being undertaken into opportunities to introduce, where appropriate, generic or common quality requirements across the country.
Consultations have been held in every state and territory to enable all key stakeholders the opportunity to provide input into the National Standards.
Outcomes from consultation on the National Standards
The consultation, which took place in 2010, involved a range of stakeholders accessing and providing disability services across Australia. Particular support was provided for people with disability and their family members and carers to give their feedback and share their ideas on the National Standards. Other stakeholders involved in consultation included disability service providers, peak bodies, advocacy organisations, statutory bodies and government departments.
The Disability Studies and Research Centre, University of New South Wales (DSRC UNSW) designed materials for the consultations with stakeholders and analysed the consultation data.
Key Findings
In December 2010, DSRC UNSW reported its findings from consultation on the National Standards with recommendations about the language, focus, content, structure and implementation of revised National Standards.
Key findings include:
- There is a low level of knowledge of the National Standards amongst people with a disability, in particular people with an intellectual disability, and families/carers.
- Structural changes to the National Standards are needed, including revising their language, format, explanations, and supporting information.
- There is a perceived view that the primary purpose of the National Standards should be to protect rights, outcomes and quality of life for people with a disability.
- The conceptual components of the National Standards should be retained, but need to be redeveloped to be clearer, more relevant and contemporary.
- There is support for an assessment process aimed to assess both service user outcomes and service provider actions within a 'quality' and 'continuous improvement' framework, and for assessment to be based on independent monitoring, with a component of self-assessment by service providers.
In February 2011, the DSRC UNSW report was tabled at the Community and Disability Services Ministers Advisory Council (CDSMAC). Members endorsed that revised National Standards will be clear in their purpose and objectives, and will be described in a manner that is relevant to both service providers and service users, and define the role of the standards in:
- protecting the rights and responsibilities of people with a disability and their family members and carers as service users
- improving outcomes for people with a disability and their family members
- service provider quality assessment and improvement processes.
Accessible information on the consultation findings are now available, including an easy read version of the DSRC UNSW report at the following link at the Victorian Government Department of Human Services website