1. MOD.A’s Quality Standard
Jen Barron, Practical Work Solutions
and
Michael Bleasdale
CEO, Home Modifications Australia

2. Purpose of a Quality Standard
Currently there is no accepted definition or description of home modifications processes which differentiate them from other building work nor detail the specific areas of expertise and quality
Providers and consumers will find it increasingly hard to distinguish between providers in a consumer-directed world – aiming for some form of quality certification
Current compliance systems in disability and aged care services, require multiple auditing and monitoring processes, none of which qualitatively assess in detail the delivery of home modifications – this standard needs to deliver a single auditable option for quality providers

3. Progress to Quality Standard
: Conducted review of National and International home modifications quality systems - including NSW quality assurance (QA) 
No suitable existing standards or QA systems to meet needs of the industry in Australia
Need for, and widespread industry support for, such a system
2016: MOD.A begins to develop national standard applicable to all funding programs, to be endorsed by Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ)
2017: Steering Committee convened to determine what is in the Quality Standard and how it is to be applied

4. Steering Committee Made up of:
3 service providers (NSW, SA and VIC), one a government funder and provider agency
Motor Vehicle Compensation agencies from NSW, VIC and SA
Department of Veterans’ Affairs
Occupational Therapy Australia
COTA NSW
MOD.A, including consumer rep

5. Definitions Drafted User Home Modifications Assistive technology
Complex home modification
Major home modification
Service provider
Agreed stakeholders
Title

6. HM Criterion Being Drafted
Last Updated:
HM Criterion Being Drafted
Development has focused on the areas where other standards did not address significant and specific issues relevant to HM:
Risk management
Human resources
Assessment
Design & planning
HM implementation / construction
HM evaluation
Risk management
Human resources – skills & supervision
Assessment – User needs, the building
HM implementation / construction (and management of related risks)
HM evaluation – function and quality of construction
Title

7. Sample DRAFT criteria 3.3 Assessment for HM Planning
Outcome Sufficient information is gathered to enable a home modification plan to be developed that will safely maximise the User's independence and meet relevant legislative building requirements.
Requirements
3.3.3 The assessment will be conducted by a person or a team appropriate to the complexity of the HM. This will include, as a minimum, an occupational therapist (or other authorised prescriber) and an authorised building professional [such as a licensed builder]. For complex HM [as per the definition] relevant additional 'agreed stakeholders' [as per the definition] must be identified and included in the assessment process.

8. Sample DRAFT criteria 3.6 Evaluation of the HM
Outcome – Each HM is evaluated to ensure it achieved the User goals, enables safe use and meets the ‘agreed stakeholders’ requirements.
3.6.1 The service provider shall ensure that each HM will be evaluated with the involvement of the User and stakeholders. This will address, as a minimum, if / how the User's goals were achieved and the building component outcomes of cost, process, safety, regulatory compliance, (including completion of any required inspection sign offs), security and quality of finish.
Title

9. Current issues identified by Steering Committee
Broad and ongoing support for the need for a quality standard in this area – recognition of risk in cost, time delay of poor quality work and cost of rectification
Positive contributions and amendments to the definitions and criteria of the draft Quality Standard
Concern about what defines the “service provider” to whom the Standard applies – lack of fit with some procurement models of current agencies
Concern about application of mandatory Standard and potential to reduce already “thin” market of quality suppliers
Alternative to Standard proposed, through provision of guidance ISO9001 – seen by some in industry as capable of providing stronger home modification specific quality requirements