Quality & Accreditation
UnitingCare Ballarat has a number of accreditation frameworks which apply to both the overall operation of the organisation and to specific programs. These include the ISO9001:2008 Quality Management Standard, Home and Community Care Standards (HACC) and the Lifeline Accreditation and Standards Program (LASP).
ISO 9001: 2008 Quality Management Systems
ISO 9001 is the international benchmark for quality management systems. The maintenance of our ISO 9001 accreditation ensures that high quality practices are embedded in our agency and its culture, and sets up for transition to more stringent regulatory requirements as the need arises.
ISO Accredited - Community Care Services including Housing, Reid's Guest House, Lifeline Family Counselling, Tabor House (youth withdrawal unit) and Alcohol and Drugs, Community Access Services, and Human Resources Management.
Home And Community Care (HACC) Standards
It is a requirement of HACC funding that service agencies meet the HACC National Standards, which are reflected in agencies’ operational policy and procedures. To ensure that this happens, all HACC services are subject to a self assessment and validation by the funding body against the National Service Standards. On 1 March 2011 the Community Care Common Standards (CCCS) replaced the HACC National Service Standards across Australia. The CCCS are part of an ongoing process of reform by the Australian Government and State and Territory Governments that has been underway since 2005 to develop and streamline arrangements in community care.
- HACC Accredited - Community Access Services.
Department of Health & Human Services Standards
Department funded service providers that receive funding in scope of independent review, including those registered under the Disability Act 2006 and/or Children, Youth and Families Act 2005 that deliver services directly to clients are required to:
- undertake an independent review against the Standards once every three-year service agreement period, regardless of the number of departmental activities they are funded to provide
- achieve and maintain accreditation against the Standards.
Scope of Certification:
Integrated Family Services, Homeless Response and Housing including Homelessness Support Services:
- Family Support
- Intensive Family Support
- Children's Resource Co-ordinator
- Homelessness Network Co-ordinator
- A Place Called Home
- Initial Assessment and Planning
- Karrung Youth Accommodation Service
- Tenanncy Administration: Crisis and Transitional
Lifeline Accreditation and Standards Program (LASP)
All Lifeline centres have to meet Lifeline Accreditation and Standards Program (LASP) every 3-4 years. Lifeline Ballarat is accredited through this standard.