The 6 Standards
The Social Services Standards are a consistent set of obligations that social service providers in Victoria must meet.
Service providers need to demonstrate they provide safe social services by meeting the service requirements of the six Standards.
- Standard 1: Safe service delivery – Social services are safely provided based on assessed needs.
- Standard 2: Service user agency and dignity – Social services are person-centred, and respect and uphold service user rights and agency.
- Standard 3: Safe service environments – Social services are provided in a safe, secure and fit‑for‑purpose environment.
- Standard 4: Feedback and complaints – Service users are supported to share feedback, complaints or concerns about service safety.
- Standard 5: Accountable organisational governance – Effective governance and organisational systems support safe social service delivery.
- Standard 6: Safe workforce – Social services are delivered by a workforce with the knowledge, capability and support to provide safe social services with care and skill.
Who must meet the Standards
Social services in scope of the Social Services Standards include:
- child protection services
- community-based child and family services
- disability services (with some exclusions)
- family violence services
- homelessness services
- out-of-home care services
- secure welfare services
- sexual assault services
- supported residential services.
These social service providers must:
- register with the Social Services Regulator
- meet the Standards
- notify the Regulator about certain things.
Registration will take place in set time periods from 1 July 2024. Visit the Social Services Regulator registration for more information.
Unregistered social services providers may also have to meet the Standards through contractual or funding arrangements, particularly with the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.
How to meet the Standards
To meet a Standard, you must meet all its service requirements.
Service requirements describe actions to take to meet a Standard.
Social service providers can start planning for the Standards before they come into effect on 1 July 2024.
To support you, there are information sheets on each Standard. Each includes:
- suggested actions
- useful documents and evidence
- indicators of success.
Step 1: Understand
- Build awareness of the six Standards.
- Identify outcomes for each Standard. Outcomes highlight what the service requirements aim to achieve.
- If relevant: note key differences between your practices under the Human Service Standards and the new Standards.
Step 2: Review
- Review current policies and procedures for safe service delivery.
- Check your processes against each Standard’s service requirements. These describe practical actions to take to meet each Standard.
- Discuss and review service requirements at leadership level.
Step 3: Prepare
- Identify gaps to meeting service requirements.
- Use the guidance in the Standards information sheets.
- Include key documents showing compliance in your risk frameworks.
Step 4: Act
- Line up policies and procedures with service requirements.
- Build in indicators of success to stay on track for ongoing compliance.
Help and more information
See below for an overview of the Standards and practical information sheets on how to meet each Standard.
Social Services Regulator guidance and information webinars
These webinars are designed to help service providers understand the requirements of the new regulatory scheme, with a focus on the new Social Services Standards and registration, and talk you through the guidance and information available to help you get ready.
Topics discussed include:
- An update from the new Social Services Regulator, Jonathan Kaplan
- Snapshot of the Social Services Regulatory scheme
- Social services covered by the new scheme
- Social Services Standards guidance and information
- Registration process
- Question and answer session
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