Social Mission department gets big tick of approval

BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE
The Salvation Army’s national Social Mission team has received overwhelmingly positive results in a recent accreditation process, a key TSA leader says.
The department undertook Health and Community Services Standards Accreditation (QIC), a review process that analyses community- and wellbeing-focused programs according to five standards: governance, management systems, consumer and community engagement, diversity and cultural appropriateness and service delivery.
These standards were applied to all four Social Mission focus areas: alcohol and other drugs, homelessness, family violence and youth services. In all these areas, the auditors found no areas of non-conformance, with some opportunities for improvement serving as a guide to make social services even more effective, according to Chief Secretary Colonel Winsome Merrett.
Head of Quality and Safeguarding Bernadette Roberts said the accreditation reviewers’ response to the audit of Social Mission was genuinely heartfelt, and their positive feedback was consistent across all Social Mission sites, streams, business partners and mission-enabling functions.
“It was encouraging to see the multitude of examples that clearly demonstrate person-centred, safe, seamless and effective experiences for the people Social Mission support,” Bernadette said.
The auditors’ feedback reflected that Social Mission personnel demonstrated a clear commitment to the department’s mission, vision and values in all areas. Feedback from external stakeholders confirmed that TSA’s social services are considered a ‘benchmark’ in the industry.
“This exceptional result can be attributed to our organisational culture, with the auditors sharing that staff at all levels stated they feel supported, safe, valued and empowered,” Winsome said.
“My congratulations to each one of you who work within Social Mission, and my sincere appreciation and thanks for the way in which you continue to transform Australia, one life at a time, with the love of Jesus.”