Accreditation is a recognised, independently assessed process.
It can demonstrate that your governance, management and services are meeting the highest standards.
Why Accreditation Matters
Gaining accreditation shows that your services and practice have been objectively assessed against a set of criteria.
It gives you approval to display a Certificate of Accreditation in documentation, promotional material and funding applications.
Gaining accreditation can:
- Increase consumer, government and partnership confidence
- Improve service provision and enhance reputation within the sector
- Reduce risk
- Enhance commitment to continuous quality improvements in systems across all aspects of the organisation
- Increase opportunities for funding, partnerships, sponsorships and volunteer support.
Accreditation demonstrates to your clients, community, funders and partners that your services and practices meet recognised standards and that you are committed to continuous quality improvement.
The Highwire Group is passionate about community services and has extensive experience supporting organisations with their quality improvements at many levels – from making small adjustments to existing systems and behaviours through to achieving accreditation.
Thinking about Accreditation?
An accreditation process is ‘on-going’ and most organisations will undertake an assessment every three years. This means that over time, it can create a culture of continuous quality improvement across all levels of the organisation.
Sometimes it’s difficult to know where to start. We understand that the needs of organisations vary. We can guide your understanding of:
- How the overall process works
- The work and resources required to get ready for the accreditation process
- How to identify gaps that need to be addressed before the process begins
- How to go about allocating tasks and responsibilities
- How to bring staff on board with the process
- How to set achievable timeframes
- What documentation is required and where there are gaps
- The process for choosing an assessor with confidence
Cost:
- Prices negotiated with you around the work required
- The Department of Human Services (DHS) has a cost calculator which can assist you in checking the costs of an Australian Service Excellence Standards (ASES) assessment for your organisation
How Can we Support your Quality and Accreditation Journey?
We have a long history of supporting organisations to improve.
We love helping organisations to join the dots between accreditation, quality systems and community impact.
We believe we can help you stand out from the crowd by taking the leap into quality improvement and accreditation.
Where do we work?
We work in metropolitan, regional and remote settings. We mostly work with medium and small organisations.
Who do we work with?
We work with many different service providers, including community centres, aged care, housing, disability, drug and alcohol, mental health, Aboriginal health and peak bodies.
We love working with organisations and services that want to make a difference. You can find a sample of organisations we have worked with here.
How do we work?
We are flexible and adaptable and understand that no one organisation is the same. Our job is to support and/or assess your organisation within the context of your unique size, structure and purpose. Click on our Testimonials page to see feedback from our clients.
Cost:
- Prices negotiated with you around the work required
“I would like to thank you for your hard work and help during our ASES learning and preparation. We obtained our Certificate…Everyone is thrilled! We made it, and the team now is really working well for the Centre.”
Denise Jacobsen
Port Augusta Youth Centre Inc
We are friendly and fun to work with!
Six things that set us apart!
- Diversity of experience – we consistently work across a broad range of health and community services.
- Exceptional knowledge – we have a deep understanding of the standards and regulatory systems across Australia.
- Flexibility and affordability – we spend time getting to know you so that we can design an approach that is the right fit for your organisation (preparation meetings, access to resources and ongoing phone support are included in our price).
- Trauma Informed – we are experienced community sector people. We have undertaken training and developed our approach to be trauma informed.
- Experience working in remote communities – we regularly travel to remote areas in “Rory” our custom-built, go-anywhere, vehicle.
- Commitment to supporting Aboriginal communities – we specialise in supporting and assessing Aboriginal organisations.
Examples of our Work with Organisations
Organisational Development and Staff Support
We offer a variety of support and direction to organisations to support their quality improvements and prepare for accreditation, for example:
- Project development, support and monitoring
- Gap assessments against standards
- Policy and systems development
- Workforce development
- Staff and Board training
- Quality and management coaching
- Specific skills coaching and training
Accreditation Assessment
We provide assessment services for accreditation under the Australian Service Excellence Standards (ASES) and where relevant the Home Care Common Standards.
We bring a deep understanding of the ASES framework having had a role in shaping the standards back in 2001 and have led some 80 ASES assessments over the past eight years. Click here for more information.
Responding to Multiple Standards
Some organisations need to respond to multiple accreditation standards. We know how complex this is, and we can work with you to maximise the efficiency of your responses.
Our deep understanding of many different standards means we can map evidence to minimise duplication wherever possible, saving you time and money.
The Highwire Group is an approved assessor for The Australian Service Excellence Standards (ASES) and the Home Care Common Standards
“Gathering with others in a similar situation can be really powerful because everybody goes through the same challenges and we have that camaraderie with our peers… A support network of other people who understand what you’re going through is really important.”
Holly, Community Centre Manager
We Provide Other Support as Well
Accreditation Workshops and Training
Highwire can offer workshops and training designed to support the whole organisation to understand and prepare for accreditation.
We work with you prior to setting the agenda, guided by your needs and the assessment requirements.
Identifying Your Strengths and Areas for Improvement
For more information about support for your quality journey, click here to read about building on strengths and addressing gaps.
‘On the Wire’ Webinars and Networks
As a Highwire Client you will also have access to our free Webinars.
You can attend live or access our library of recording and resources aligned to various quality topics.
You will also get to for connections with other colleagues through the collaborative webinar process.
Click here to view a sample.
Listen to Maree Davidson’s Tips for Accreditation. (Presentation delivered via webinar for Homelessness NSW).
Cost:
- Full day workshop at your place: $1800 (5% discount for small organisations with less than 10 staff)
- Negotiated cost for customised program
CONTACT US
Wherever you are, we’ll get back to you promptly.