Queensland Projects
About the Disability Sector Quality System
The Disability Sector Quality System (DSQS) is a sector owned quality system, overseen by the Joint Accreditation System – Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ).
There are three main components to the system including:
- The Queensland Disability Service Standards
- The organisation’s Continuous Improvement Cycle (internal)
- The Certification System (external)
The information on these pages will assist the following service types:
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statewide information and referral services;
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advocacy agencies; and
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single site and multi-region service providers.
Statewide information and referral services
The Disability Sector Quality System requirements and timeframes apply to all funded services. However, statewide information and referral services have the option of using the AS/NZS ISO 9001:2000 standards instead of the disability service standards when undergoing certification. This option can only be considered by services who do not provide direct support to people with disabilities. DSQ conducted workshops on the ISO standards to support services in making a choice before they progress with implementation of their quality system. An ISO supplementary resource kit is available from DSQ.
Advocacy agencies
Advocacy agencies worked with the DSQ quality team to modify the standards indicators to better reflect their service type. All specific inquiries relating to the implementation of the quality system for advocacy services should be directed to the DSQ quality team via your local DSQ office or through the DSQ website.
Multi-region service providers
If you are part of a multi-region service, or auspiced by a larger organisation, it is important to be aware of your organisation's quality implementation plan and anticipated certification date. Even if your service operates quite independently of the larger organisation, there is still an expectation that your quality system and activities will be aligned with the larger organisation. It is also important that the organisation demonstrates they have considered all stakeholders in putting their plan together and that service users have had the opportunity to have a say in how the service runs and how their quality system works.
The Queensland Disability Service Standards
The Queensland Disability Service Standards arise from the Queensland Disability Services Act 2006 and were launched by Minister Warren Pitt. One of the first tasks for organisations is to become familiar with the standards and involve their stakeholders (service users, families, staff, boards etc) in looking at what each standard means for their service. Everyone in the organisation needs to be able to identify a practical example of each standard working well.
Continuous improvement cycle
Each organisation will need to develop a continuous improvement cycle which is aligned with the three yearly timeframe for the certification system. Depending on the size, type and value base of the organisation, there will be a range of continuous improvement activities carried out which provide evidence of quality systems. These activities will include service-user assessments and a self-assessment conducted by the organization itself every three years. Quality systems may also include systems for:
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involving people with disabilities at every stage of planning, implementation and service review;
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managing feedback and complaints;
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recruitment and selection processes; and
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individual plans or agreements between the organisation and service users etc.
Detailed information on the requirements and timeframe for continuous improvement activities is provided in the DSQ Quality Resource Kit.
The certification cycle
The Disability Sector Quality System includes a full audit conducted by an external Certification body every three years. It also includes a yearly maintenance visit by the certification body. Certification bodies are accredited by JAS-ANZ according to Procedure 28 (General Requirements for Bodies Auditing and Certifying Disability Support Services in Queensland) which is available on the JAS-ANZ 'Accredited Bodies' webpage. An overview of the Disability Sector Quality System information is provided in the Awareness Raising Workshops resource. The overheads have also been provided for use in presentations to staff and other stakeholders. Feel free to modify the content (not the intent) of these materials to suit your audience.
Evaluation and feedback
The post-audit survey is distributed to all organisations following the completion of their certification audit. DSQS is interested in the:
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level of engagement and planning initiated by your certification body;
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conduct of the audit team;
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audit process – pre, during and post;
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effectiveness of your audit report in identifying findings and areas for improvement; and
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effectiveness of the DSQS resources and supports in assisting you to achieve certification.
You can print and return the completed post-audit survey to NDS at the following reply-paid address (no stamp required).
Quality Team
National Disability Services
Reply Paid 893
LUTWYCHE QLD 4030
Alternatively you may wish to download the post-audit survey and email your completed copy directly to NDS at: qualityprojectqld@nds.org.au
Last updated: 14 May 2009 |