Supporting specialisation verification
A series of online workshops has been developed to walk aged care providers through the specialisation verification process.
A series of online workshops has been developed to walk aged care providers through the specialisation verification process.
As recommended by the royal commission, the Department of Health and Aged Care established a Specialisation Verification Framework that allows providers to better demonstrate how their organisation delivers inclusive services for people who identify with one or more of the special needs groups listed in the Aged Care Act 1997.
The special needs groups include:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities
- people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
- people who are financially or socially disadvantaged
- people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless
- people who live in rural or remote areas
- parents separated from children by forced adoption/removal
- lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people
- care leavers
- veterans.
Since 27 February, providers who hadn’t had their specialisation claims verified by independent assessor Australian Healthcare Associates were removed from the My Aged Care profile.
Funded by the Australian Government, the series of free workshops – hosted by Eastern SSD Partnership, SSD Connect Alliance and Bayside City Council SSD – aims to help providers better promote their services to their targeted demographics.
“This workshop series supports them to offer services that are the best fit for people who identify with special needs groups,” Lisa Dean – regional adviser diversity and wellness, Eastern Sector Development Team – told Australian Ageing Agenda.
Aimed at managers, quality personnel and other aged care staff who progress improvement plans across a service, the workshops will:
- create a greater understanding of how difficult it can be for older people to find a specialised provider
- provide an understanding of the verification requirements
- guide providers through the verification application.
It’s important providers understand the framework, said Ms Dean, as it “supports providers of aged care to develop evidence-based, inclusive services and communicate them to older people.”
The framework will also prove beneficial to consumers added Ms Dean. “The framework will help senior Australians, their families, their loved ones, friends, families of choice, community representatives and carers to choose aged care providers that understand and support their experiences, needs and preferences.”
The format of the workshops include:
- an introductory presentation about the Specialisation Verification Framework
- a review of evidence requirements and application process
- a panel discussion
- a Q&A session.
“You’ll hear from experienced specialist service providers, peak bodies and community representatives who will provide insights into the needs of people who identify with specialised groups,” Ms Dean told AAA.
The workshop focusing on the needs of LGBTI people has already run. The next workshop is on Thursday 20 June and will focus on veterans.
To view the workshop program and register for an event click here.
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