Aged Care Renewal Audits
SoCom Consulting assists aged care providers to prepare early for registration renewal by reviewing compliance with the Aged Care Act, Aged Care Rules and strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards. Analysis assists to identifying gaps and implement continuous improvement actions ahead of upcoming audit deadlines.
Organisational Review and Audit Preparation
SoCom Consulting advises registered aged care providers delivering services in categories 1–5 to prepare well in advance of their registration renewal date. Through systematic review, our consultants support clients to assess their immediate level of conformance with the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards and agree continuous improvement activities with sufficient time for implementation prior to audit.
Aligned with the focus of the Commission, SoCom Consulting guides clients through a review of: organisational governance arrangements; the effectiveness of systems and processes in place for coordinating, delivering and recording care and governance activities; evidence pertaining to the experience and outcomes for older people in your care; and safety, quality and compliance of policies, systems and practices.
Through this process, our consultants will engage with your governing body and senior management to ensure their direct involvement and competency in the production and gathering of information and evidence that demonstrate conformance with the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards. We guide your team in population of the Audit Evidence Collection Tool – Renewal and the Care Delivery Evidence Collection Tool (for providers registered in Categories 4 and 5).
This hands-on team approach, is vital to ensuring all individuals who will be called on at audit are able to quickly identify, discuss and demonstrate compliant practices, both within the organisation and in the care delivery environment.
Early Organisational Assessment
For those looking to prepare their organisation at least 12 months in advance, a typical Organisational Review and Audit Preparation Program may look like the below. The purpose of early assessment is to allow early interventions and the implementation of continuous improvement activities that are fully embedded in day-to-day practices by the time your renewal audit is due. This review takes place at least 12–18 months in advance of registration renewal.
Introductory Meeting – introduce team; share current state of business, systems and currently available information; highlight key areas of concern, agree approach for systematic review over program timeframe.
Standards Meetings – each month addresses one Standard (5 months in total for 5 standards) and associated audit themes. Meetings are split into ‘Kick off – 1 hour’ (where requirements of the Standard are addressed and key evidence identified, including any existing gaps in the provider’s systems or records) and ‘Review – 2 hours’ (where work done to complete the AECT and production of evidence is presented and assessed).
All programs and timelines are tailored to organisational needs.
Pre-Audit Preparation
This review takes place 3–6 months in advance of registration renewal. It includes a refreshed review of audit evidence, including:
- Review of draft Audit Evidence Collection Tool
- Review of Care Delivery Evidence Collection Tool (for providers in categories 4 & 5)
- Review of most recent incident reports, feedback, complaints, continuous improvement register, risk register and identification of ‘probable’ staff and client files for Commission assessment.
- Preparation of internal audit team, noting the Commission will seek to meet with:
- 1–3 members of the governing body
- 2–5 members of the senior management team
- a sample of aged care workers
- a sample of aged care clients
Who Should Be Involved in Audit Preparation?
As noted above, the Commission will outline their expected sample of organisational representatives. To ensure your team is prepared (and operating compliantly across the board), we recommend involving those holding positions such as CEO/Managing Director, Human Resources Manager, Compliance Manager, Finance Manager, Clinical Care Manager, Care Partner, Quality and Risk Manager and representatives of your governing body..
Senior Consultants
Kathryn Garth (BBus, MAICD) – CEO & Aged Care Consultant
Our Founder and CEO, Kathryn Garth has 30 years’ experience advising local and international organisations in the identification, sustainable pursuit and evaluation of strategic and operational activities, risk management, compliance and strategic communications.
Her wide-ranging experience covers a number of regions and cultures, having led operations and business development teams throughout Australia, Hong Kong, Greater China, Tokyo and South-East Asia.
Kathryn spent 15 years working for Tier 1 international corporate law firms and management consultants, before turning her attention to more socially conscious endeavours.
She is now a proud advisor to and advocate for supports in the areas of disability, homelessness, inclusion, aged care, employment, veterans’ affairs, mental health, indigenous equality, and family and children’s services.
Kathryn is a sought-after advisor to new entrants to the Aged Care sector, leading a team responsible for an enviable success rate in new provider applications. She now supports new entrants and existing providers to understand their obligations under the Support at Home Program, new Aged Care Act, Aged Care Rules and strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards.
She is an expert policy and procedure writer and is the driver behind the development of an extensive suite of policies, procedures and templates used nation-wide by registered aged care and disability providers for compliance and operational purposes.
As Chairperson of a Registered Aged Care provider in the Gold Coast/Tweed Region, Kathryn’s direct sector experience puts theory into practice through provision of governance advice and support for providers to prepare for registration and renewal audits.
Kathryn has been behind several successful growth and business turnaround strategies, one of which won her a Silver Stevie Award for Female Executive of the Year in New York, November 2018.
An expert tender, grant and funding application writer, Kathryn has secured her clients more than $80 million in funding in the past ten years, enabling important social and community services programs to be delivered throughout Australia.
Kathryn has extensive experience working with and tendering to many government departments and GOCs, in all Australian states and territories. Her work includes the adaptation of behavioural insights for client listening and service evaluations, particularly where vulnerable individuals are involved.
Sue Doust (MSc – Clinical Chemistry, LSSGB) – Aged Care Consultant
Sue is an aged care governance and compliance consultant with 40 years’ experience in the health sector, including more than 10 years working in residential aged care facility management and home care quality and risk management.
She has a Green Belt in Lean Six Sigma and a Diploma of Quality Auditing (Including Leader Auditor Certification ISO 9001) and is experienced in:
- Aged Care GovernanceInternal Quality Auditing
- Development of internal audit tools and registers
- External Audit Preparation
- External Audit Participation
- Quality Management Systems
- Continuous Improvement Planning
- Complaints Management
- Incident Management
- Root Cause Analysis
- Risk assessment and Risk Management
Sue is Non-Executive Director of Health and an Aged Care provider in Tasmania, including Acting Chair of the Clinical Governance Board Sub-Committee and Member of the Strategy Development Board Sub-Committee. She is also Non-Executive Director of a separate Aged Care provider in the Gold Coast/Tweed Region.
She advises on aged care provider applications, ISO auditing, gap analyses, non-compliance remediation, audit program development (including supplier and subcontractor oversight and auditing protocols), policy and procedure writing, risk and compliance programs.
Sue is experienced in responding to notices from the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, managing incidents under the Serious Incident Response Scheme, feedback and complaints.
With a methodical and calm approach to governance and compliance, Sue is a valuable addition to organisational risk management and audit teams, ensuring client preparedness and confidence.