Q. When will my organisation be assessed?
A. External quality assurance reviews of CSOs have been scheduled to commence September 2011 and must be completed by the end of June 2013. All funded agencies will have received written notification of their scheduled review time frame from DHS’ Children, Youth and Families Division in July 2011. It should be noted however that the planned introduction of the Department of Human Services Standards may impact on the conduct of reviews after June 2012.

AHA will telephone each CSO following the information session to confirm the date/s for of the onsite review.


Q. My organisation provides Family Services/Out of Home Care Services from more than one service delivery site. Will AHA conduct an assessment at each outlet?
A. The department requires that the external review includes a CSOs main site/head office, service delivery outlets and residential units (where applicable). The number of outlets visited will depend upon the complexity and size of the organisation and its service delivery sites. The number of service delivery outlets to be visited and subsequent number of days involved will also be confirmed when AHA contacts your organisation (Refer to Section 3.3 of the Information Kit for further detail).


Q. Does my organisation need to submit a copy of our most recent internal review to AHA?
A. Yes. CSOs are required to submit their most recent Internal Review Tool to AHA prior to the site visit. Submission of the completed Internal Review Tool prior to the site visit enables the assessors to familiarise themselves with the organisations systems and processes and better plan the site visit. The Internal Review Tool must be submitted to AHA no later than three weeks prior to your first site visit date.


Q. My organisation has been found part met/not met. Will AHA be following up with my organisation to help me meet the Registration Standards?
A. AHA is one of the organisations contracted to conduct the External Quality Assurance Review program. We will identify, in consultation with CSOs, recommendations for action to achieve full compliance with the Registration Standards. We will not, however, be assisting agencies to carry out the recommended actions.

CSOs may be able to receive support and/or feedback related to their progress in addressing compliance requirements from their regional Quality Enhancement Officer or Program and Service Advisor.


Q. My organisation was found to have met all Registration Standards. Can we claim to be "accredited" and publicise the fact that we achieved full compliance?
A. The External Quality Assurance Review program is a compliance and quality improvement process rather than an accreditation process.