Standards and Performance Pathways Platform (SPP)

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1 The system you need to meet standards and maintain quality The resource you need to run your organisation Northern Territory Combined Peaks Portal Standards and Performance Pathways Platform (SPP) 1 Northern Territory NGOs and service provider organisations operate in challenging environments with complex demands related to governance and management, funding and accountability, standards accreditation and compliance reporting, performance management and the delivery of quality services. Those located in rural or remote areas have additional challenges such as the reliability of telecommunication services, the cost of travel and having fewer resources to draw on particularly with staffing and Board of Management membership. Five Northern Territory peak bodies 2, led by NTCOSS, have negotiated a unique arrangement on behalf of their sectors to provide two specially designed tailored online services Standards and Performance Pathways (SPP) and Management Support Online (MSO) to support and resource their member organisations implement quality management practices in their operations and service delivery activities and to assist them as they undertake standards review, compliance reporting and accreditation processes. The NT Combined Peaks Portal will provide a gateway to tailored versions of the SPP and MSO. The five peaks are: Northern Territory Council of Social Service (NTCOSS) NT Shelter Northern Territory Mental Health Council COTA NT National Disability Service Northern Territory Organisations that are members of at least one of the above peaks are entitled to a 15% discount on subscriptions to both the MSO and SPP. 1 The and Management Support Online are a products of BNG NGO Services Online. They are integrated online systems specifically designed for human and health services in Australia. (For more information: and ) 2 NTCOSS, COTA NT, NT MHC, NDS NT, NT Shelter 1 BREAKING NEW GROUND ABN

2 Overview: The SPP enables NT service provider organisations to easily complete assessments against community services and health standards and to efficiently meet compliance reporting requirements by providing users with: an electronic workbook containing online assessments against the criteria for all components of relevant Australian community services and health standards automatically generated responses to assessment results describing action that is required to complete compliance of any component of a standard guided activities, tools and resources linked to these actions that support the user to complete the action and reach compliance an electronic template which documents the actions, resources and enables the user to enter information for a work plan an evidence pack where pre existing or newly completed documents can be loaded from the user s system and downloaded to provide evidence of compliance for external assessors an ongoing progress display which shows progress in terms of completion and compliance levels users can track their own progress by both by percentage of compliance and by visual graphs. cross referencing with all other core sets of standards so that completion of one set of standards will automatically register with items in other sets of standards (meaning users can complete multiple sets of standards by completing a single set). The Standards and Performance Pathways system is a unique product and carries an Australian patent. SPP Cost Benefit and Benefits Increases service delivery capacity: Up to 80% of staff time taken in standards assessment and compliance reporting is saved through using the SPP. 3 This time can be redirected to substantially increase service delivery capacity. Manages risk: assists service providers in managing risk by identifying areas of governance, management, financial and operational vulnerability through the SPP graphing and benchmarking facilities. Undertakes gap assessments: by completing standards assessments, the SPP automatically identifies the quality work required for standards compliance, and provides tools and templates to assist in completing this work. Builds capabilities: the SPP downloadable tools and guides for good practice resource the standards compliance work needed to be undertaken by service providers to show compliance, as well as build the capabilities and capacity of organisations. 3 User data from SPP 2 BREAKING NEW GROUND ABN

3 Immediate solution to the problem of multiple standards: the SPP cross references with all other core sets of standards so that completion of one set of standards will automatically register with items in other sets of standards (meaning users can complete multiple sets of standards by completing a single set). Bypasses cumbersome paper based systems and manual reporting systems: SPP provides a simple touse online interactive tool, guiding and resourcing organisations through this process, tracking progress and collating evidence for compliance reporting. Enables service providers to submit electronic compliance reports directly to funding departments, accrediting agencies and other agencies that require compliance reporting on other standards. Standards update and alert service: BNG NGO Services Online provides a standards monitoring, review and alert service as part of the SPP service, alerting user groups to changes to their standards environment and possible impacts on their standards compliance. Red tape reduction: SPP assists service providers to create internal efficiencies and helps government achieve its promise to reduce red tape and lift productivity. Lifts productivity: 4 SPP provides a significant productivity lift for service providers and funding departments. Nationally, the estimated time that could be saved using the SPP is 2.9 million service provider staff hours (at an est. value of $189 million of the $277 million total annual cost of multiple standards to service provider organisations of the community services and health sectors. 5 The cost to funding departments in monitoring compliance has not been estimated.) SPP is designed for: individual organisations to complete self assessments for relevant sets of quality standards and to identify and complete work required to meet those standards large multi service, brokerage and franchise organisations to manage and monitor multiple standards assessments and compliance reporting and as an internal quality assurance system funding or compliance bodies to collect progress reports and compliance evidence from service providers external assessors and auditors to complete on site assessments and evidence verification. Overview: Management Support Online (MSO) The MSO service is an integrated suite of online services and resources designed to assist NT NGOs and service provider organisations to manage and operate confidently. The MSO carries: A broad range of downloadable templates, tools, info sheets and resources. Comprehensive set of policies, procedure templates governance, management, operations Over 50 good practice guides, skill building sessions and activities. 4 BNG with the support of the Councils of Social Service and other key peaks, undertook a national snapshot survey in mid Data from this survey shows the impact of multiple standards and compliance reporting is an estimated $3.5 million staff hours (nationally) that could be redirected into service delivery at an estimated cost to government of $227 million annually. Research report: The Cost of Quality Standards: Assessment and Compliance Reporting for the Not for Profit Sector July Applying BNG detailed analysis of the cumulative impact for NFPs over multiple standards, and the Victorian Department of Treasury and Finance (DTF) s Regulatory Change Measurement (RCM) methodology and its guide to average NFPs hourly rates. 3 BREAKING NEW GROUND ABN

4 Diagnostics and assessments for quality management and risk assessments to highlight areas of vulnerability and strength as a prevention and early intervention strategy. A confidential advice and assistance service, with up to 25 sessions per year to assist with strategic problem solving. The MSO specialises in governance, management, operations and administration, providing detailed and practical resources on all aspects of running an NGO or service provider organisation for members of boards and committees, managers, staff teams and volunteers. The MSO moves beyond static information based resources and carries integrated programs, activity guides and training programs that build capabilities and provide detailed guidance for quality service improvement, supported by a comprehensive range of diagnostics, tools, templates, pro forma, and info sheets designed to build the capability of organisations. Applications and benefits of the MSO The six MSO service areas are designed to: build capabilities of members of organisation s boards and committees, managers and staff teams, enhancing the management and governance expertise across the organisation create efficiencies, save time and operational resources a comprehensive range of core and tailored downloadable management support resources for organisations dramatically reduces the duplication of effort at the organisational level develop the sustainability and self reliance of organisations, promoting the development of a culture of organisational and management excellence provide a risk management framework and act as a prevention and early intervention strategy for governance, management and operational related problems address access and equity organisations located in rural or remote areas have limited or no access to a range of management support resources and services support organisations to implement a system of cyclical quality improvement develop a pool of expertise within communities benefiting other community initiatives How organisations can use the MSO Because the MSO is a comprehensive and integrated service, there are many ways that organisations may make use of the MSO: Assessment and diagnosis to identify how well they are performing, areas of greatest vulnerability and risk, identify what they need to know, monitor progress and improvement over time. Build individual capabilities and skills or check current knowledge by working through skill building programs. Use guided activities to produce what they need to run the organisation or simply develop good practice. Solve a problem, meet an immediate need, get quick and accurate information on a specific topic an extensive library of downloadable tools, templates, pro forma and info sheets provide a quick and easy way for organisations to get what they need when they need it. Get confidential expert assistance, talk through an issue or get feedback on a key piece of work. 4 BREAKING NEW GROUND ABN

5 What current Northern Territory users say NAAJA uses the portal to upload all our policies, procedures and financial reports that are accessed by our funding body. The portal is very easy to use it highlights policies that our organisation should have and provides templates for us to use. Priscilla Collins, North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency I have been very impressed with the SPP. Denise Brooks, Holyoake Alice Springs Inc How to subscribe To subscribe, visit: combined peaks/ You will also find further information about the SPP and MSO, as well as details on pricing and packages. For further information, feel free to contact BNG NGO Services Online. info@ngoservicesonline.com.au Phone: BREAKING NEW GROUND ABN