Standards for Community Services
Standards for Community Services
Standards for Community Services
Overview of the Standards for Community Services
Overview of the Standards for Community Services
This initiative involves the development and implementation of Standards for Community Services. These standards outline the minimum expectations of NGOs providing services recurrently funded by the Department of Communities. As well as helping NGOs continually improve service quality, the standards will build their capacity to continue providing services in the long term.
The eleven Standards for Community Services are organised into three focus areas:
- People using services: Standards 1–6 focus on ensuring that clients receive individually tailored, culturally sensitive services delivered with respect for their individual rights
- People working in services: Standards 7-9 focus on ensuring that client services are provided by staff and volunteers who are appropriately selected, competent, and supported in performing their roles
- Governance: Standards 10-11 focus on ensuring that client services are based on a clear vision and set of organisational values, and strong governance arrangements.
Implementation
From October 2007, implementation of the standards will be a condition of all service agreements between the Department of Communities and funded organisations.
Two phases of implementation are planned:
- Phase 1, 2008–11: The first three years of implementation are a developmental phase, with a focus on self-assessment and quality improvement rather than compliance.
- Phase 2, 2011 onwards: This phase will focus on compliance with the standards. All organisations receiving more than $100,000 per annum in triennial funding from the Department of Communities (except licensed childcare organisations and organisations recognised under another quality system) will have their compliance with the standards monitored.
The Department of Communities is collaborating with the Queensland Council of Social Service (QCOSS) and other peak bodies to work with local networks of NGOs to help them meet the requirements of the standards.
More information about the standards is available on the Community Door website.
Who does this initiative apply to?
The Standards for Community Services initiative applies to all NGOs recurrently funded by the Department of Communities.
Last updated: 27 August 2008.