Appeals

AHA acknowledges that there may be occasions where a funded agency does not agree with the findings of the assessment. The appeals procedure is structured to support resolution prior to the finalisation of the Assessment Report by implementing the process detailed below.

Each funded agency receives a draft Assessment Report within 14 days of the assessment site visit. The funded agency is advised at this time that they have 14 days to respond, with any feedback regarding errors or inaccuracies in the report. An extension to this timeframe will only be considered where the funded agency contacts AHA during this period and provides valid reasons as to why the timeframe should be extended. The revised timeframe will be agreed during this communication.

Funded agencies can query or challenge assessment findings during this time by telephone or by submitting their request as a hard copy letter or electronically via email. Where a funded agency initiates a query by telephone in the first instance, AHA will attempt to answer the query to the caller’s satisfaction at that time. Where the caller is satisfied that their query has been addressed, a record of conversation is documented, and the matter considered to be finalised. Where this cannot be achieved, the caller will be directed to document their concerns and submit this information via email. That is, the funded agency should clearly outline in writing the information within the draft report that they are querying.