Quality assurance certification for NDAP
Key points about the quality assurance system
- A quality assurance system applies to all advocacy agencies funded by the Australian Government under the National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP).
- It involves independent assessments to certify they comply with the National Standards for Disability Services (NSDS).
- Third party certification bodies undertake the certification audits.
- Accreditation requirements are contained in Human Services Part 1 - Common Requirements and Human Services Part 6 – National Disability Advocacy Program (NDAP) Scheme (link is external).
- The quality assurance system has been designed to ensure people with disability are involved with all aspects and stages of the process.
- The role of government is to develop policy and provide support and resources to help advocacy agencies gain certification and pursue continuous improvement.
- New advocacy agencies need to register their intention to seek certification and have 18 months to gain certification from the date funding is approved.
- Under the Disability Services Act 1986, an advocacy agency that loses its certification and funding needs to regain certification before further funding is considered.
- Certified advocacy agencies receive a Certificate of Compliance that is recognised by the Australian Government as verification that they are delivering advocacy supports in line with the NSDS.
- After obtaining their first Certificate of Compliance advocacy agencies participate in surveillance audits conducted by their chosen certification body – the first within 12 months, and a second within 24 months of the commencement of the certification. Within thirty six months after certification advocacy agencies must participate in a full recertification audit.
- For advocacy agencies that have achieved recertification the frequency of surveillance may be reduced to a single mid-cycle surveillance audit – where they can demonstrate their capability to meet the NSDS on an ongoing basis, and their certification body has no concerns and/or evidence to suggest otherwise.
Step-by-step guide to National Standards for Disability Services certification audits
This is a summary of the steps involved, timeframes and actions required for achieving certification.
| Step | Timeframe | Milestones/Notes | Resources |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Submit a Notice of Intention to Obtain a Certificate of Compliance against the National Standards for Disability Services (NSDS) | Prior to funding approval |
This step is only for new organisations that do not hold a certificate of compliance against the National Standards for Disability Services |
|
| 2. Start the process | No later than one month after funding is approved | Review your agency’s structure, policy and procedures Review contractual requirements | National Standards for Disability Services – Self Assessment Worksheets |
| 3. Choose your certification body (CB) | No later than three months after your funding is approved | Select certification body Negotiate contract | Accredited Certification Bodies |
| 4. Conduct your internal audit | During the first six months after your funding is approved | Internal audit involving consumers | Supporting Documents for NSDS |
| 5. Prepare for your certification audit | On-site dates negotiated with certification body should be no later than twelve months after your funding is approved | Liaise with CB about audit activities, including sampling Prepare consumer involvement in audit | |
| 6. Participate in your certification audit | On-site dates negotiated with CB should be no later than twelve months after your funding is approved | Assist with streamlining audit activities Use opportunities to ask questions, make comments on the audit findings in exit meeting | |
| 7. Take follow-up action if required | Address major nonconformities within three months and nonconformities within six months of assessment if identified. Decision on certification must be made no later than 18 months after the date on which your funding is approved | Provide feedback to staff, Board, consumers If nonconformities are identified, undertake corrective action | |
| 8. Start three-year certification cycle | |||
| a) prepare for and undertake first surveillance audit | Within 12 months of initial certification audit | Internal audit Documentation on ongoing corrective action | |
| b) prepare for and undertake second surveillance audit | Within 24 months of initial certification audit | Internal audit Documentation on ongoing corrective action | |
| c) re-negotiate contract with CB | Between 24 and 36 months of initial certification audit | Review certification body’s cost and quality of its work | |
| d)prepare for and undertake recertification audit | Within 36 months of initial certification audit | Internal audit Documentation on ongoing corrective action |
The certification process
Text description of The certification process graphic above.
NB. After the first recertification the frequency of surveillance audits may be reduced from 2 to 1 during subsequent certification cycles (ie. one 18 months after recertification, rather than two at 12 monthly intervals).
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