DSS reserves the right to amend these documents from time to time by whatever means it may determine in its absolute discretion and will provide reasonable notice of these amendments. Version Control DOCUMENT VERSION # DATE DESCRIPTION V1.0 17 September 2015 Department of Finance agreed V1.1 30 October 2015 Update to Eligible Activities Director, Aged Care Account Manager approved Table of Contents
the Programme Manual with information specifically relevant to this Activity; and an Application Pack - a of documents with information specific to each grant funding round conducted within the Activity. 3.2.1 Application Pack The Application Pack consists of the following documents: Funding Round Summary The Funding Round Summary includes the following information: objectives and requirements of the funding round; the type of selection process being used; application opening and closing the value of the funding round; how to submit an application; selection criteria; eligibility criteria; and the delegate who will approve the outcome of the process Application Form The Application Form asks applicants to address selection criteria relating to the particular funding round which they are applying for and also requires them to complete general information about the applicant as a service provider who is applying for funding. DSS Comprehensive Agreement Terms and Conditions The DSS signed grant agreement will include information relating to the grant objectives, activities to be undertaken, the duration of the grant, payment, reporting requirements, supplementary terms and conditions, and DSS and provider signatures. Applicants for funding rounds may also be provided with the following additional information as part of the application pack including a Questions and Answers document. Questions and Answers The Questions and Answers document aims to answer any questions and provide additional information relating to the Activity and any application process. Achieving for money DSS will follow key guiding principles in order to establish or expand a National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Service. In assessing the extent to which the application represents value for money, DSS will have regard to the following: the relative merit of each application; the overall objective/s to be achieved in providing the funding; the relative cost of the proposal, or elements of the proposal; the extent to the applicant has demonstrated a capacity to deliver the aged care services; and the extent to which the evidence in the application demonstrates that the proposal will meet the aged care needs of the local community. 3.3.1 Establishing a New Service
When a standardised grant agreement is used grants will only be provided in accordance with an executed grant agreement. The terms and conditions of DSS’s grant agreements cannot be changed. The grant agreement will contain the entire agreement between the parties. There is no binding agreement on any parties until the grant agreement is agreed to and signed by the Department’s delegate and the Organisations authorised representative. The grant agreement is the legal agreement between DSS and the service provider over the period of the grant. In managing the grant provided, the service provider must comply with all the requirements of the grant agreement. Service providers are responsible for ensuring that: the terms and conditions of the grant agreement are met; service provision is effective, efficient, and appropriately targeted; highest standards of duty of care are applied; and services are operated in line with, and comply with the requirements as set out within all state and territory and Australian Government legislation and regulations. Service providers should also be aware of any case based law that may apply or affect their service delivery. The Terms and Conditions of the grant agreement are available on the Complaints Applicants/Service Providers Applicants and service providers can contact the complaints service to lodge a complaint if they have concerns about DSS’s service(s), the selection process or the services provided by other DSS service providers. Applicants and service providers can lodge complaints through the following channels: Telephone: 1800 634 035 call cost, but calls from mobile and pay phones may incur higher charges). Fax: (02) 6204 4587 Mail: Complaints Department of Social Services PO Box 7576 Canberra Business Centre ACT 2610 If an applicant or service provider is at any time dissatisfied with DSS’s handling of a complaint, they can contact the Commonwealth Ombudsman via the or by telephone on 1300 362 072 (local call cost, but calls from mobile and pay phones may incur higher charges). Client/Care recipient Service providers should have a transparent and accessible complaints handling policy. This policy should acknowledge the complainant’s to complain directly to the organisation, outline the process for both dealing with the complaint and provide options for escalation both within the service provider’s organisation and to DSS, if necessary. Service providers need to ensure that all care recipients and families are informed of the arrangements in place to make complaints about matters related to the care provided and to have their complaints dealt with fairly, promptly, confidentially and without retribution.