Recommendation

That the Community Access Program and the Residential Program adopt the values underpinning the ACT Disability Services Act 1991 (the DSA) and its accompanying Disability Service Standards (the Standards) as the minimum requirement for the services they provide.

Community Programs Branch will develop a training program for all Branch staff which focuses on the principles and the values of the DSA, the Standards and the disability reform agenda. This program will underpin all future training.

Community Programs Branch will implement strategies to ensure that the Standards and the requirements of the DSA are met by both direct and funded services. These strategies will embrace continuous quality assurance and improvement and will focus on client outcomes and quality of service.

Training programs have been developed and have been delivered to staff in Community Programs Branch and a number of people from non government organisations.

Trainers have been trained for an ongoing Standards training program for staff.

Training relating to values, principles, Standards and Duty of Care will also be integrated into `in-house' training through staff's individual Personal Development Plan options and into orientation for new staff members and trainees.

A regional structure for disability Services is being implemented which will facilitate client focused services which meet the requirements of the DSA and the Standards.

Wide consultation on the proposed new structure was conducted in August/September and November 1995.

Details of workplace reform are being negotiated in the Enterprise Bargaining context.

Quality assurance plans and strategies to evaluate all direct and funded services against the Standards are being developed and will be incorporated into the new structure.