Page 4686 - Week 14 - Thursday, 24 November 2005
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(1) In relation to external auditing and monitoring of non-government organisations, who were the five organisations who took part in Disability ACT’s contract and quality monitoring process;
(2) Were each of the organisations who took part in the audit compliant with (a) the requirements as specified in each individual organisation’s funding agreement with Disability ACT, (b) the relevant legislation and (c) specified levels of quality of services delivered;
(3) Which of the participating organisations did not fully achieve compliance and in what areas did they not reach compliance;
(4) What written responses were received from Disability ACT from those organisations who were asked to provide evidence of where adjustments and improvements were needed in order to maintain compliance in relation to a baseline assessment against the National Disability Service Standards.
Mr Hargreaves: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1) The five organisations externally audited were:
• Citizens’ Advocacy;
• Focus;
• For You & Me;
• L’Arche Genesaret; and
• Shaw Possibilities.
(2) The Auditor raised concerns about the level of compliance of all five organisations against the National Disability Service Standards and requirements of the Service Purchasing Agreement.
(3) The auditor provided draft recommendations for areas of improvement for all the organisations that were audited. All five agencies agreed on actions they would take to ensure that they complied with the Standards and requirements of their Service Purchasing Agreement, within specified timeframes. Key areas identified for organisations to work on included:
• Improving governance arrangements;
• Better consumer consultation, feedback and complaints handling processes;
• Accurate reporting on contractual activities;
• Clarifying roles and responsibilities of volunteers and staff;
• Improving risk management; and
• Improving financial management of government funding.
(4) In relation to the agencies named in question (1), agencies were asked to demonstrate their level of compliance with the National Disability Service Standards and provide a continuous improvement action plan on improving their compliance. All agencies except For You & Me have provided an action plan. For You and Me have met with the Department regarding identified issues and how they will be addressed. Agreed actions have been specified in For You and Me’s Service Purchasing Agreement 2005/06
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