The 6 Standards
The Social Services Standards are a consistent set of obligations that social service providers in Victoria must meet.
Service providers need to demonstrate they provide safe social services by meeting the service requirements of the six Standards.
- Standard 1: Safe service delivery – Social services are safely provided based on assessed needs.
- Standard 2: Service user agency and dignity – Social services are person-centred, and respect and uphold service user rights and agency.
- Standard 3: Safe service environments – Social services are provided in a safe, secure and fit‑for‑purpose environment.
- Standard 4: Feedback and complaints – Service users are supported to share feedback, complaints or concerns about service safety.
- Standard 5: Accountable organisational governance – Effective governance and organisational systems support safe social service delivery.
- Standard 6: Safe workforce – Social services are delivered by a workforce with the knowledge, capability and support to provide safe social services with care and skill.
Who must meet the Standards
Social services who must meet the Social Services Standards include:
- child protection services
- community-based child and family services
- disability services (with some exclusions)
- family violence services
- homelessness services
- out-of-home-care services
- secure welfare services
- sexual assault services
- supported residential services.
These social service providers must:
- register with the Social Services Regulator (SSR)
- meet the Social Services Standards
- notify the SSR about certain things.
Visit the Social Services Regulator registration page for more information.
Unregistered social services providers may also have to meet the Standards through contractual or funding arrangements, particularly with the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.
How to meet the Standards
To meet a Standard, you must meet all its service requirements.
Service requirements describe actions to take to meet a Standard.
To support you, there are information sheets on each Standard. Each includes:
- suggested actions
- useful documents and evidence
- indicators of success.
Step 1: Understand
- Build awareness of the six Standards.
- Identify outcomes for each Standard. Outcomes highlight what the service requirements aim to achieve.
- If relevant: note key differences between your practices under the previous Human Service Standards and the Social Services Standards.
Step 2: Review
- Review current policies and procedures for safe service delivery.
- Check your processes against each Standard’s service requirements. These describe practical actions to take to meet each Standard.
- Discuss and review service requirements at leadership level.
Step 3: Prepare
- Identify gaps to meeting service requirements.
- Use the guidance in the Standards information sheets.
- Include key documents showing compliance in your risk frameworks.
Step 4: Act
- Line up policies and procedures with service requirements.
- Build in indicators of success to stay on track for ongoing compliance.
Self-assessment for meeting the Social Services Standards
We have developed a self-assessment tool to support registered service providers assess their progress in meeting the requirements of the Social Services Standards.
Service providers can use the tool to:
- assess progress on how they are meeting each of the Standards and identify key areas to improve
- review checklists on evidence and implementation, and take early action to address gaps in their practices
- make a targeted plan to address specific service requirements to ensure compliance is on track.
The tool provides checklist examples to guide and evaluate preparation, and to support providers’ continuous improvement practice. It also includes links to existing guidance on the Standards.
Help and more information
See below for an overview of the Standards and practical information sheets on how to meet each Standard.
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