SPP Alert – HSQS Common Requirements Version 5.

0
Issued 25/06/2019

This SPP Alert provides notice of new self-assessment being added to SPP, and one change to one
existing SPP assessment that is linked to a number of Standards in SPP.

1. QLD: Human Services Quality Standards (HSQS) - Common Requirements (Version

5.0) (2019)

We have created a new self-assessment in SPP for the Human Services Quality Standards (HSQS) -
Common Requirements (Version 5.0).

Version 5.0 of HSQS was released in February 2019. The User Guide for Version 5.0 was released in
April 2019, with a lead-in time of three months for all in-scope organisations. All HSQS audits from 26
July 2019 will require demonstration of compliance with the new and amended requirements of
Version 5.0.

The new standard applies to a range of Queensland organisations funded to deliver human services.

Organisations who have completed the existing self-assessment for the HSQS Common
Requirements in SPP - ie HSQS Common Requirements (2016) - will find that a lot of their work will
carry over towards compliance with Version 5.0. However, some additional SPP assessments have
been linked to Version 5.0 to address the new requirements included in Version 5.0.

The new assessments address concepts such as regulatory compliance, incident management,
safety and quality integration, contractor management, individual plans and working with children
requirements.

We have built a new assessment for the HSQS working with children requirements, and this is linked
to the self-assessment for Version 5.0. That new assessment has no impact on any other standards
in SPP. It is explained in the following table.

Assessment name Change Action required

QLD HSQF New quiz which addresses requirements Complete quiz.
Working with under the working with Children (Risk Management
Children and Screening) Act 2000, including screening and
the requirement to keep and review a child and
youth risk management strategy.

2. Change to existing assessment and impact on other standards in SPP

To better incorporate the new self-assessment into SPP, we have added one new question to an
existing assessment.

The change to this assessment will have a minor effect on the following Standards in SPP:

• QLD Human Services Quality Standards (HSQS) (Common Requirements) (2016)

• QIC Health and Community Services Standards (6th edition)
• QIC Health and Community Services Standards (7th edition)
• ASES Certificate
• National Community Housing Standards
 • National Specialist Homelessness Service Standards
• NSW Specialist Homelessness Standards
• National Standards for Mental Health Services (2010)
• Quality Standard for Early Childhood Education and Care and School Aged Care (2018)
• NSW ACCHS Organisation Health Check
• Quality and Safety Standards (TAS)
• Vic Human Services Standards with Service Standards Indicators 2015
• WA Specialist Homelessness Services Standards
• WA Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP) Standards

If your organisation assesses against any of these Standards, please log in to SPP on or after 1 July
2019 and review the assessment and corresponding new question detailed in the summary table
below.

Assessment name Change Action required

Workplace Added a new question ensuring staff know about Complete new question
Policies (H5) their right to refer a complaint to an external
agency.

Effective date for changes

The revised standards and changes to assessments will be in effect in SPP as of Monday 1st July
2019.

Please contact us at team@bngonline.com.au or phone 02 9569 1704 for any queries relating to
these changes.