8.1 The advocacy agency has clearly Standard 8: Agency All agencies management stated aims and objectives that Documented agency aims and objectives. communicate to each person with Documented and implemented practices and policies for promotion and Each advocacy agency disability and other relevant communication of agency aims and objectives with people with disability who receive adopts quality management stakeholders the scope and advocacy support and stakeholders. systems and practices that limitations of the advocacy agency. Reviews of agency management systems involving service users (eg. people with optimise the effectiveness disability who receive advocacy support, family members, citizen advocates) of advocacy for each 8.2 The advocacy agency has – including documented annual self assessments and continuous improvement plans. person with disability and governance and management facilitates continuous systems in place that facilitate quality Clear governance arrangements. improvement. management practices and Documented and implemented policies and practices for performance and risk continuous improvement. management are undertaken. Documented policy on agency independence. 8.3 The advocacy agency operates Agency management and staff can provide practical examples of how they operate independently and is structured in such a way that it is as free as to ensure they are as free as possible from things that conflict with the best interests possible from conflicts with other of people with disability. service provision and the interests of Policies and procedures include referral to another agency if required to prevent a each person with disability. conflict of interest. Evidence of the involvement of people with disability in the quality agency’s assurance activities. Minutes of management committee meetings. Documented roles and responsibilities of management committee office bearers. Standard 9: Staff, 9.1 The advocacy agency ensures that All agencies recruitment, employment its staff have relevant skills and Current list of all people who have an employment relationship with the advocacy and training competencies. agency. Each person who has an 9.2 The advocacy agency provides Position descriptions of all paid and unpaid staff that describe skills and employment or volunteer opportunities for the appropriate and competencies needed for their role. relationship with the continuing training and skills Documented and implemented practices and policies for recruitment & induction that advocacy agency has development for each staff member. ensure paid and unpaid staff have the necessary skills and competencies for their appropriate skills and position, including relevant qualification (where appropriate). competencies. Staff appraisals conducted at least annually. Training and development plans for all staff. Agencies undertaking citizen advocacy Independent evaluations of practices for developing the capacity of citizen advocates to assist people with disability meet their advocacy objectives.
Standard 8: Agency management Each advocacy agency adopts quality management systems and practices that optimise the effectiveness of advocacy for each person with disability and facilitates continuous improvement. 8.1 The advocacy agency has clearly stated aims and objectives that communicate to each person with disability and other relevant stakeholders the scope and limitations of the advocacy agency. 8.2 The advocacy agency has governance and management systems in place that facilitate quality management practices and continuous improvement. 8.3 The advocacy agency operates independently and is structured in such a way that it is as free as possible from conflicts with other service provision and the interests of each person with disability. All agencies Documented agency aims and objectives. Documented and implemented practices and policies for promotion and communication of agency aims and objectives with people with disability who receive advocacy support and stakeholders. Reviews of agency management systems involving service users (eg. people with disability who receive advocacy support, family members, citizen advocates) – including documented annual self assessments and continuous improvement plans. Clear governance arrangements. Documented and implemented policies and practices for performance and risk management are undertaken. Documented policy on agency independence. Agency management and staff can provide practical examples of how they operate to ensure they are as free as possible from things that conflict with the best interests of people with disability. Policies and procedures include referral to another agency if required to prevent a conflict of interest. Evidence of the involvement of people with disability in the agency’s quality assurance activities. Minutes of management committee meetings. Documented roles and responsibilities of management committee office bearers. Standard 9: Staff, recruitment, employment and training Each person who has an employment or volunteer relationship with the advocacy agency has appropriate skills and competencies. 9.1 The advocacy agency ensures that its staff have relevant skills and competencies. 9.2 The advocacy agency provides opportunities for the appropriate and continuing training and skills development for each staff member. All agencies Current list of all people who have an employment relationship with the advocacy agency. Position descriptions of all paid and unpaid staff that describe skills and competencies needed for their role. Documented and implemented practices and policies for recruitment & induction that ensure paid and unpaid staff have the necessary skills and competencies for their position, including relevant qualification (where appropriate). Staff appraisals conducted at least annually. Training and development plans for all staff. Agencies undertaking citizen advocacy Independent evaluations of practices for developing the capacity of citizen advocates to assist people with disability meet their advocacy objectives.
quality_toolkit_for_the_national_disability_advocacy_program.docx