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Five Steps in FDCQA

Page Contents:

1. Registration
2. Self-Study and Continuing Improvement
3. Validation
4. Moderation
5. Accreditation Decision

Step 1: Registration

The scheme registers with NCAC to participate in FDCQA. Upon registration the scheme receives a Certificate of Registration. New schemes are required to register with NCAC prior to any funding approval being granted by the Australian Government.

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Step 2: Self-study and Continuing Improvement

On a regular and cyclical basis each scheme undertakes a self-assessment of the quality of the care that it provides and of its care practices by consulting with all coordination unit staff, all carers and parents of children in the scheme. This self-assessment focuses on the 6 Quality Areas and 30 Principles set out in the Quality Practices Guide (2nd edition 2004). From this ongoing self-assessment, the scheme develops and implements a continuing cycle of quality improvement plans.

The results of this assessment are summarised in a Self-study Report and submitted to NCAC. In completing the Self-study Report the scheme will provide ratings of its own performance against the 30 Principles and will have the opportunity to tell some of the stories that illustrate the quality of practices within the scheme.

Accredited schemes are required to submit a Self-study Report to NCAC every 2.5 years. An Accredited scheme's next Self-study Report is due by the end of the month specified on its Certificate of Accreditation.

Following receipt of the Self-study Report, NCAC will send the original Validation Surveys to the scheme. Completed Surveys will be returned to NCAC.

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Step 3: Validation

NCAC Staff Validators are selected and trained by NCAC to visits the scheme to validate its practices. Wherever possible, NCAC uses the preferred specialist knowledge areas indicated by the scheme in its Self-study Report when allocating a Validator to visit the scheme.

The role of the Validator is to observe practices, view documentation and ask questions to gather information which will enable them to validate the Indicators in a Validation Report against the quality standards outlined in the Quality Practices Guide.

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Step 4: Moderation

The process of Moderation helps to ensure that all schemes participating in FDCQA are treated consistently on a national basis. Moderators assess the quality of the scheme's practice, guided by information in the scheme's Self-study Report, Validation Surveys and the Validation Report. Moderators also consider information from the scheme's Validation Evaluation Form, where available.

Moderators look at each scheme as a whole, identifying patterns of quality care within the scheme. A composite Quality Profile is compiled by NCAC from information in the scheme's Self-study Report and Validation Surveys, the Validation Report and the Moderation ratings. The Profile shows a composite of these various perspectives of scheme performance across the 6 Quality Areas of FDCQA using protocols developed for NCAC by the Australian Council of Educational Research.

Moderators write a Continuing Improvement Guide for the scheme which focuses on quality improvement and is based on trends in the 6 Quality Areas, evident in the scheme's composite Quality Profile.

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Step 5: Accreditation Decision

The Accreditation Decision is the final step in FDCQA and is made by NCAC. To be Accredited, a scheme must achieve a rating of Satisfactory or higher in all 6 Quality Areas as detailed on the composite Quality Profile.

Accredited schemes are required to prominently display the Certificate of Accreditation. Schemes are also provided with a second certificate showing the scheme's composite Quality Profile and the names of scheme carers and staff who participated in the FDCQA process. The scheme is also required to display this certificate.

An Accredited scheme is required to continue its self-study and continuing improvement cycle (see Step 2 above) until its next Self-study Report is due for submission. The Accreditation period is 2.5 years between submission of Self-study Reports.