Derbyshire Accommodation & Support Derbyshire Accommodation & Support (Supporting People)(Supporting People)

Quality Assessment Framework (QAF)Quality Assessment Framework (QAF)

In relation to:In relation to:

C1.4 Fair Access Diversity and C1.4 Fair Access Diversity and InclusionInclusion

The Quality Assessment The Quality Assessment Framework (QAF)Framework (QAF)

Introduced in 2003, Updated in 2009Introduced in 2003, Updated in 2009

Sets out the standards expected in the delivery Sets out the standards expected in the delivery of SP Servicesof SP Services

Level CLevel C means that the service meets, and is means that the service meets, and is able to evidence, the required minimum able to evidence, the required minimum standard but there is scope for improvement.standard but there is scope for improvement.

Level B Level B means the servicemeans the service can evidence good can evidence good practice.practice.

Level ALevel A means excellence and is associated with means excellence and is associated with providers striving to be leaders in their field. providers striving to be leaders in their field.

5 Core Objectives5 Core Objectives

C1.1 Assessment and Support PlanningC1.1 Assessment and Support Planning

C1.2 Security, Health and SafetyC1.2 Security, Health and Safety

C1.3 Safeguarding and Protection from C1.3 Safeguarding and Protection from AbuseAbuse

C1.4 Fair Access, Diversity and InclusionC1.4 Fair Access, Diversity and Inclusion

C1.5 Client Involvement and C1.5 Client Involvement and EmpowermentEmpowerment

C1.4 Fair Access, Diversity and C1.4 Fair Access, Diversity and InclusionInclusion

It now consists of the following three standards: It now consists of the following three standards: Fair access, fair exit, diversity and inclusion Fair access, fair exit, diversity and inclusion are embedded within the culture of the service are embedded within the culture of the service and there is demonstrable promotion and and there is demonstrable promotion and implementation of the policies.implementation of the policies.The assessment and allocations processes The assessment and allocations processes have been reviewed in the last three years and have been reviewed in the last three years and ensure fair access to the service.ensure fair access to the service.There is a commitment to ensuring fair exit There is a commitment to ensuring fair exit from the service.from the service.

Please see paper copy for a more detailed Please see paper copy for a more detailed breakdown of the requirementsbreakdown of the requirements

In a NutshellIn a Nutshell

Level C – Policies in place.Level C – Policies in place.Level B – Policies in place and there is a periodic Level B – Policies in place and there is a periodic

review of the policies and procedures which review of the policies and procedures which include equality access targets and equality include equality access targets and equality impact assessments.impact assessments.

Level A – Requirements of Level C and Level B Level A – Requirements of Level C and Level B together with evidence that changes have taken together with evidence that changes have taken place as a result of the reviewplace as a result of the review

What sort of things does a Provider What sort of things does a Provider have to do?have to do?

The QAF makes clear that achievement of The QAF makes clear that achievement of Level B and Level A is not prescriptive, to Level B and Level A is not prescriptive, to allow scope for best practice.allow scope for best practice.

A provider who was awarded Level A was A provider who was awarded Level A was able to demonstrate performance in a able to demonstrate performance in a variety of ways as detailed in the following variety of ways as detailed in the following case study.case study.

How can a provider demonstrate How can a provider demonstrate performance at Level A?performance at Level A?

Achieving level 3 of the equalities standard for local Achieving level 3 of the equalities standard for local government along with the borough council;government along with the borough council;Setting up an Equality and Diversity group, which Setting up an Equality and Diversity group, which includes clients, that has within its remit the review of includes clients, that has within its remit the review of policies and procedures across the organisation and a policies and procedures across the organisation and a wider scrutiny role;wider scrutiny role;Quality monitoring of performance including equality Quality monitoring of performance including equality targets on a regular basis;targets on a regular basis;Conducting Equality Impact Assessments routinely in Conducting Equality Impact Assessments routinely in response to changes in or the introduction of new response to changes in or the introduction of new policies, procedures or functions;policies, procedures or functions;Arranging equality and diversity training and ensuring job Arranging equality and diversity training and ensuring job descriptions include a need to support the equality and descriptions include a need to support the equality and diversity policies of the organisation;diversity policies of the organisation;

How can a provider demonstrate How can a provider demonstrate performance at Level A?performance at Level A?

Supporting the diverse communication needs of clients – including Supporting the diverse communication needs of clients – including increased awareness of these needs through community profiling;increased awareness of these needs through community profiling;Ensuring that the key working process can support the clients’ Ensuring that the key working process can support the clients’ understanding of key documents;understanding of key documents;Signing up to the Respect Standard for Housing Management which Signing up to the Respect Standard for Housing Management which requires organisational responses to anti-social behaviour and hate requires organisational responses to anti-social behaviour and hate crime. In addition, the organisation demonstrates a multi-agency crime. In addition, the organisation demonstrates a multi-agency approach to dealing with community safety issues;approach to dealing with community safety issues;Having a Board Champion for Equalities;Having a Board Champion for Equalities;Updating the Equality and Diversity policy to conform to the new Updating the Equality and Diversity policy to conform to the new Equality Act 2010;Equality Act 2010;Targeting itself within a specific timeframe to gain the “excellent Targeting itself within a specific timeframe to gain the “excellent standard” for the new Equality Framework for Local Government.standard” for the new Equality Framework for Local Government.

Outcomes MonitoringOutcomes Monitoring

All Providers have been sent client group specific All Providers have been sent client group specific targets for achievement of 21 positive outcomes targets for achievement of 21 positive outcomes for clients.for clients.

These outcomes cover objectives such as These outcomes cover objectives such as “reducing overall debt” or “participating in work “reducing overall debt” or “participating in work like activities”.like activities”.

The objectives within the Fair Access, Diversity The objectives within the Fair Access, Diversity and Inclusion section of the QAF do not directly and Inclusion section of the QAF do not directly link across, but provide the building blocks for link across, but provide the building blocks for clients to aspire to achieving the outcomes.clients to aspire to achieving the outcomes.