It's March already! And holy dooley, there's a lot happening…
February saw a plethora of webinars and updates from the Department of Health & Aged Care and the Quality & Safety Commission. You may have also attended one of the live workshops on the New Aged Care Act which have been rolling out across the country in recent weeks.
In this month's edition, we have lots of news across both Home Care and Residential care, including some changes to support programs, with the Department instating new suppliers.
As we do each month, we have condensed all the key news with links so you can get on top of the ‘what's next' without the hassle and hours of reading!
Content Summary
Latest CDCS Videos & Blog Posts
To respond to the needs of those working in the industry, CDCS has a range of blog posts on our website and videos that are freely available on our YouTube channel.
Aged Care Packages – what’s in the box?
One recurring question we see in public forums like Facebook groups is the confusion around where a person's funding comes from and what they are entitled to. And it's not only those who have just been assessed and approved, these are people who are already receiving services from a provider.
Aged Care Packages – more info
We've also created several videos around the topics of aged care packages and services on our YouTube channel. If you prefer video format, check out the videos on “Aged Care Answers by CDCS.”
Industry News
All Sector Updates
Prudential Compliance Audits
Reminder: Over the next two months, the Commission will be conducting prudential compliance audits for those providers with a history of late financial submissions.
ELDAC (End of Life Direction for Aged Care) Consent Factsheet
ELDAC has put out a great Consent Factsheet outlining:
- Who can provide consent
- When consent is required
- How consent can be obtained
Volunteering in aged care
Volunteers: our unsung heroes who dedicate their time to making a difference to another person. We cannot live without them. I am sure you have many such people, so share your Volunteer Stories with the Department.
Strengthened Quality Standards – draft guidance material consultation
The Strengthened Quality Standards are pretty much set except for minor wording changes here and there for clarity. The Commission has developed a range of documents to assist providers and consumers in understanding the Standards and is seeking feedback on the content and layout of information.
It is important to look for information that may be missing or not clear enough, especially for organisations that support First Nations and CALD consumers, and provide feedback, along with any suggestions for improvement.
To have your say, read the consultation documents and provide your feedback. The consultation closes 30 April 2024.
Strengthened Standards Webinar – recording
If you missed the webinar from the commission on “Supporting sector readiness for the new strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards”, the presentation and recording from this webinar are now available.
Specialist Care Provider status
Are you a Provider of Specialist Care? Have you applied for your information to be displayed on My Aged Care?
As people can now filter for specialist aged care services you may want to consider reviewing the information on My Aged Care and, where relevant, applying to have your specialist care status included.
Note: you can no longer update this information on My Aged Care yourself, you will need evidence of being a provider of specialist care and forward this to the Department of Health and Aged Care for verification.
Aged Care Business & Workforce Advisory Service
Aged care providers can apply for free, independent and confidential advice to improve their operations.
Consulting firm EY have been funded to provide a Business and Workforce Advisory Service for eligible residential aged care and home care providers.
They will help providers review their operations and give advice on:
- business management
- financial strategies
- workforce challenges
The Department encourages providers operating in regional, rural and remote locations to apply.
Visit the Aged Care Business and Workforce Advisory Service website to learn more about the program.
Compliance Management Insights
Every month the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission publishes their Compliance Management Insights. These short posts highlight some key compliance issues that have been identified by the Commission.
The information is particularly relevant for CEOs, CFOs, Management and Director-level staff, so if you hold one of these positions consider subscribing.
A great idea from Dementia Australia
New on-the-go dementia training designed for care workers called Ask Annie. This tool can be downloaded onto smartphones and iPads so staff can access support and complete practical and interactive modules to strengthen their understanding of caring for residents living with dementia. How cool is this! 🤩
Home Care Updates
Support at Home information
Did you know there is a Support at Home FAQ Factsheet available to answer any commonly asked questions? Additional information can be found on the Department's Support at Home website.
CHSP 24-25 Funding Extension Grant Opportunity
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) 2024–25 Funding Extension Grant Opportunity (GO6821) is now open for current CHSP providers to apply to continue delivering entry level aged care services until 30 June 2025.
Eligible CHSP providers with a current 2023–24 grant agreement will receive an invitation to apply with details on the application process and steps to be taken.
CHSP providers will need to lodge their application via email to CHSPextension@health.gov.au before 2pm AEDT on 14 May 2024.
Home Care Workforce Support Program
The department is carrying out 2 separate surveys to make sure they understand all the details and variations within the home care workforce. If you are a provider or personal care worker, enrolled nurse or allied health assistant then complete the survey for providers OR complete the survey for workers. Each survey takes around 10 minutes to complete and closes on Friday 29 March.
The Home Care Workforce Support Program (HCWSP) supports employers in growing the home care workforce. The results will help our ongoing evaluation of the HCWSP. (Now here is a new acronym!)
Residential Care Updates
Star Ratings
The updated Star Ratings is released for July-September 2023. This includes:
- Residents’ Experience Ratings for services that completed the annual survey between September-October 2023
- contemporary compliance ratings
The Star Ratings Improvement Manual was updated 15 January 2024.
The GPMS quality indicator data dashboard has been updated so services can benchmark against other services.
You can also view your quarterly care minute targets in the GPMS dashboard.
Record of Occupancy
From April 2024, Services Australia will commence checking occupancy levels against the number of care recipients by approved place type. This means any provider that has claimed more general or extra service places than approved for won’t be able to finalise claims.
Residents' Experience Survey
The 2024 Residents’ Experience Survey (RES) will run through until October 2024. Further information for the Residents Experience Survey and Guide for Providers is available.
The Department has commenced Consultation on three new NQIs. Click here for further information.
The Quarterly financial snapshot Quarter 1 2023-24 July to September 2023 is available for review.
Department and Commission Newsletter Links
If you haven't subscribed for Department updates, you can do so by clicking here to subscribe.
If you’re not already signed up, we recommend clicking through and signing up for the Commission’s valuable newsletter.
CDCS Roundup for Busy People Newsletter
If you have others in your team who would benefit from our monthly aged care roundup for busy people – they can sign up here.
Industry Training, Webinars & Events
Upcoming Webinars
Registration links are usually available two weeks in advance
- Tuesday 19 March, 2-3pm AEDT – Sector Performance Report
- Monday 25 March, 2-3pm AEDT – Restrictive Practices, session 2 – Register here
- Tuesday 2 April, 2-3pm AEDT – Provider deeming, registration and re-registration – Register here
OPAN Planning for Diversity Workshops
OPAN Planning for Diversity Workshops has commenced and continues in NSW, and commencing in ACT and NT. This is excellent free education offering practical information and tools to make your services more inclusive of older people from diverse and marginalised groups. Register here.
Aged Care resources
Department resources – including apps, audio and video resources and other publications – about aged care can be found here.
Ongoing workshops provided by the ACQ&SC
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission develops a range of educational resources and workshops for aged care providers, in-home services and residential services that assist in understanding what compliance looks like.
You can find these courses listed on the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission’s website under the Education tab.
Funding Opportunities
Grant Reference
Name of Grant
Closing Date
For more information on any of these grants, refer to the GrantConnect website.
SDAP – Services Development Assistance Panel
Don’t forget, if you are an aged care provider (residential or community care) operating in rural or remote locations, you may be eligible for support through the Service Development Assistance Panel (SDAP).
CDCS has been a panel member since the inception of this program in 2010 and has supported over 40 aged care services with compliance, business development, training and resource development.
Get an idea of what can be done with SDAP.
Further information is available on the Department’s website, including the application form, or by emailing sdap@health.gov.au.
Jobs in Aged Care
Position
Organisation & Location
Closing Date
NOTE: If you have a position that you would like us to promote, please hit ‘reply’ to this email so we can include it in the next newsletter and/or post on our Facebook page: CDCS – Culturally Directed Care Solutions.
New In The TQP Members Resource Area
You’ll find a full list of the updated policies, procedures and other helpful resources that have been updated in the last month below. We're committed to helping your organisation meet compliance and deliver quality outcomes.
If you don't have access to the TQP and you’re looking for comprehensive, industry-specific policies, procedures and work instructions that have been used successfully by dozens of aged care providers, helping them to easily pass quality reviews and stay compliant, then take a look at the Total Quality Package.
Resource updates in the last month
Quality & Compliance Tools
Audits:
Operational Management Audit V4 – updated
Governance and Executive Management Audit V4 – updated
Human Resources Audit (Management) V3 – updated
Work Health and Safety Audit (Management) V2 – updated
Management & Planning
Planning:
Senior Management Off-Boarding Checklist V1 – new
TQP Live Training & Replays
TQP Members get complimentary access to regular LIVE training and education sessions. These are aimed at the coordination and management level and address trending issues and topics. Recordings are available in the TQP to revisit whenever you need – just like having your very own ‘Aged Care Netflix!’ 😁
We hope you have found this edition helpful; feel free to share it with others who may be interested. If you have any feedback or questions, please let us know by emailing us at info@cdcs.com.au.
Please get in contact with us if you need support and we’ll catch up with you again next month.
Donna, Carrie & the CDCS Team
- April 2024 - April 12, 2024
- February/March 2024 - March 8, 2024
- January/February 2024 - February 9, 2024
