STANDARD 8                         Service Management

Dandenong Valley Job Support recognises that it must focus and deliver the best possible service that it can, to the people who need it most? people with disabilities.

Dandenong Valley Job Support will ensure that it adopts quality management systems and practises that maximises outcomes for consumers in the following ways?

Ø The service itself is a safe environment for consumers.

Ø The service is well managed by a qualified Management team and an informed Committee of Management. The committee consists of consumer representatives, employer representatives of companies who use DVJS, service provider representatives who refer consumers to DVJS and parents/ advocates.

Ø The money received from the Commonwealth Government is used for the purposes of delivering an efficient, result producing service.  The money is only spent on the benefits and interests of consumers.

Ø All expenditure, outcomes, and events are documented, and recorded.  These reports will be provided to Consumer Representatives at Committee Meetings each month and at the Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Ø     The service is operating in a manner that will meet the needs of consumers and enable them to achieve their goals and ensure their well being.

Ø   The service regularly reviews itself as part of the requirements of meeting the Disability Service Standards.  Reviews are conducted in the following ways?

               1.Internal Audit, staff meetings and Committee meetings.

               2.Consumer surveys are sent to every active consumer once every 12 months for input.

               3.Consumers are invited to participate in internal audits conducted by an independent body.

               4.Consumer feedback is requested at each quarterly consumer newsletter.

STAFF

Ø  Service staff are selected carefully to meet the needs of consumers.  Service staff have qualifications, experience and commitment to work with people with disabilities.  Staff are encouraged to attend training courses to extend their skills to areas that may be of more benefit to jobseekers such as Occupational Health & Safety Training, Train the Trainer etc.

Ø  The service is an Equal Opportunity Employer and takes appropriate steps towards Affirmative Action.  For example, Staff selection is based upon merit, but, where 2 or more applicants are judged of equal merit, the one whom may be considered disadvantaged due to their disability, gender etc shall be appointed.

Ø  Staff are offered training & support in how to encourage, support and increase the participation of consumers in decision making process.

Ø  Staff are offered external supervision where they can discuss complex issues regarding their caseload.

Ø  Staff are advocates for the rights of consumers.  Staff are aware of and adhere to, the principles of the Disability Service Standards.

Ø  There are regular staff meetings and team meetings where staff are given opportunities to discuss their case loads, new ideas, changes etc.

Funding

Ø  DVJS ensures that the funding it receives is used in the interests of its consumers by having an independent auditor check the systems and accounts at least once a year.

Ø  An external accountant is used to check monthly reports to ensure that expenditure is regulated and managed correctly.