Assessors
What is the role of an assessor?
Aged care quality assessors play a vital role in the accreditation process on behalf of the Accreditation Agency. They provide an independent assessment that informs an accreditation decision.
Assessors are often referred to as ‘assessment teams’ and ‘quality assessors’.
Assessors conduct assessments of the care and services provided to residents. These assessments include re-accreditation site audits, review audits, assessment contacts (usually site visits although sometimes ‘desk’ or telephone contacts), and commencing home desk audits.
While it is the responsibility of approved providers to demonstrate their homes’ performance against the standards, the role of assessors is to assist them to do so. This is accomplished using standard audit methodology.
Assessors may also deliver education to homes as part of our QUEST (Quality Education on the Standards) program.
Assessors are bound by a confidentiality agreement, a code of conduct and legislation.
How does someone become a registered assessor?
All assessors complete a training course approved by the Accreditation Agency and are registered as aged care quality assessors by the Aged Care Assessor Registrar. Prospective assessors must also attend an interview with an Aged Care Industry Panel, attend an orientation program, and fulfill any other registration requirements as specified by the Accreditation Agency. Criminal record checks are conducted on all assessors at least every three years.
Assessors must have current registration.
How do I know if an assessor is registered?
Check the assessor register.
What is an assessment team?
An assessment team:
- is formed for each assessment activity, and disbanded at the conclusion of the activity
- generally consists of at least two assessors
- in some circumstances – such as a desk audit for a new home – may be only one assessor.
The size and skill mix of the assessment team depends on several factors including the size of the home to be assessed; any identified special needs and the care levels required for residents at the home.
In creating and appointing assessment teams, we ensure each assessor is eligible to conduct the assessment. To be eligible, the assessor must:
- be a registered aged care quality assessor
- be available to conduct the assessment
- not have been employed or provide services to the approved provider within the past three years
- have no pecuniary or other interest which would conflict with a proper audit.
We employ quality assessors either as staff, casuals or contractors. Their responsibilities are the same regardless of employment status.
Assessors are issued with a photographic identification card, and are required to show this card, and a request for access to the home, when they visit a home.
Who chooses the assessors for an assessment team?
We appoint assessment teams to conduct audits and assessment contacts.
Can an approved provider object to an assessor appointed to the team?
An approved provider may object to the inclusion of any assessor appointed to a team to conduct a site audit for accreditation. The objection must be made in writing within 14 days of being told about the team, and be based on the eligibility criteria as set out above.
Although an approved provider cannot ‘object’ to the appointment of an assessor to a team for a review audit or assessment contact, if they believe the assessor has a conflict of interest and is therefore not eligible, the approved provider should contact the Assessment Manager in their local Accreditation Agency office immediately.
What do assessors do with the information they collect?
Assessors:
The Accreditation Agency manages personal information in accordance with the National Privacy Principles and requirements under the Aged Care Act 1997.
- only collect information necessary to assess the home against the Accreditation Standards
- will only use personal information collected to undertake their statutory responsibilities
- give the information they collect to the Accreditation Agency and do not keep any information in hardcopy or electronic form
- protect the identity of residents and representatives they speak to, and will not name them in any verbal or written report to the approved provider
- protect the identity of other people they interview if the person request confidentiallty
Any person is entitled to make a complaint to us if they believe that an assessor has breached their privacy.
For further information on the Accreditation Agency’s privacy policy, contact our privacy officer at:
Privacy representative – Human Resources Manager
Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency Ltd
PO Box 773
Parramatta NSW 2124
Phone: 02 9633 1711
Fax: 02 9633 2422
Email: national@accreditation.org.au