SERVICE REVIEW Carpentaria Disability Services for Department of Health and Community Services (AGED & DISABILITY PROGRAM)

 

 

 

Summary of Terms of Reference

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OVERALL OBJECTIVE

To review the services delivered by Carpentaria Disability Services Inc to assess:

• compliance with the current Service Agreement, including the Northern Territory Disability Service Standards;
  
• quality of service delivery; and
  
• effectiveness of communication with internal and external stakeholders.
  

BACKGROUND

Carpentaria Disability Services Inc. (CDS) is a significant non-government provider of services to people with disabilities and their families in the Northern Territory.  Through the Department of Health and Community Services (DHCS), CDS receives funding of approximately $6M from the Northern Territory Government to provide a range of support services to people with disabilities.  These include: supported accommodation, community access program, respite, and early intervention services.

A Service Agreement between DHCS and CDS for the provision of funded services is current for the period 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2006. 

Some clients of CDS and their families, and other community service providers, have raised concerns about the quality of some CDS services with DHCS.  In response, DHCS is undertaking a Service Review of CDS.

This review takes place in the context of other management issues at CDS.

In October 2004, the Commissioner of Consumer Affairs instigated an investigation into the financial and business affairs of CDS under s.93 of the Associations Act, after concerns regarding governance issues and financial accountability were raised by some members of CDS at the 2004 AGM, and subsequently in writing to the Commissioner.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

The specific objectives of the review are to:

• Identify any areas of DHCS-funded CDS services that do not comply with the current Service Agreement, including the Northern Territory Disability Service Standards;
  
• Assess the quality of the delivery of DHCS-funded services delivered by Carpentaria Disability Services Inc., with specific reference to relevant legislation, and the Service Agreement, including the Northern Territory Disability Service Standards.
   
• Evaluate the effectiveness of CDS communication processes and mechanisms.

REVIEW OUTCOMES

With respect to the disability services that they fund through CDS, the Department of Health and Community Services will know:

1. The level of compliance with the Service Agreement, including relevant legislation and current standards;
   
2. The effectiveness of communication within CDS and between CDS and the service stakeholders; and

Improvements that could be made to address shortcomings in compliance and communication.

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