DRAFT SERVICE SPECIFICATION FOR VOLUNTARY & COMMUNITY SECTOR PROVIDERS

Service Specification for

_____________________________

Voluntary & Community services are by nature wide-ranging and it is not possible to be prescriptive about the generic detail that should be included in every case. This Draft sets out a suggested template for the development of a service specification. Lead officers need to adapt it to the requirements of the service.

Service Description

Provide a description of the service, what service is being developed, who will benefit from the service?

Aims of Service

Input the aims of the service

To develop

To enable

To support

To provide

To improve

3.	Background

Set out the strategic context of the service, link to pfa / other target(s), programme of care or sub-theme(s).

Scope of the Service

Service Recipients profile – eg Age Group of the recipients of the service

Area Cover - geographical location of recipients / specific LCG area(s)

Base

Include where the service is managed from

Different Sites ?

Hours of Service

Outline the service availability, eg the service should be available during office hours, every weekday except public holidays?

Seasonal arrangements / Projects that are School Term?

Accessibility/flexibility

Service Provided

Outline the direct interventions

(eg)	Assessment

Sessions – counselling etc

Individual contacts

Advice and information

Outline the indirect Interventions

(eg)	Support and advice to parents

Links with other health, social care professionals

Links with other statutory / voluntary providers

Benefits to Service Recipients – how will recipients benefit?

Benefits to Services – outline Partnerships with other statutory agencies and/or other Voluntary/Community Providers

(do GPs, other HSC professionals benefit? How?)

Core Skills/Competencies of staff

Outline the required qualification(s) or equivalent required by staff and the supervision and support requirements for the service.

The provider will employ qualified staff and confirm they meet the requirements of ACCESS NI staff checks.

Specialist Skill(s)/Competencies

Outline any further specialist skills/competencies required – experience

Standards/Guidelines

Stipulate the relevant Core standards and principles required – link to the appropriate Framework eg National Service Framework for Children, Young People and Maternity Services

Outline the relevant Standards, procedures and protocols to be adhered to

Outline relevant Royal College, professional body or equivalent

Where appropriate the provider will provide evidence to indicate that they are licensed to undertake the range of services contracted for with the appropriate regulatory body.

The Provider if necessary will be subject to and willingly participate in inspection as agreed by the RQIA and/or other regulatory body

The provider will have in place procedures to guarantee the quality standards and quality of facilities, procedures and processes offered

The provider will ensure that staff are informed and aware of the standard of performance they are required to provide and are able to meet that standard

The service provided should promote social inclusion, addressing issues around disadvantage, ethnicity, disability and rural/urban communities.

The Provider will make arrangements to carry out client satisfaction surveys at appropriate intervals

The Provider will promptly notify the Commissioner of any material changes to guides, policies, procedures and protocols.

11.	Targets/outcomes

Specific targets to be inserted – volume of service

12.	Criteria and source for referral

Specify any criteria the recipient should meet to access the service

How will the recipients be referred to the services – GP, other Health Professional, other statutory or voluntary, or self.

13.	Activity Monitoring

The provider will make arrangements to ensure effective monitoring of the service and record keeping.

Financial monitoring and activity data is collected on a monthly/quarterly basis for the service, information collected, number of clients on caseload, number of sessions undertaken, number of contacts, number of DNAs, number of starters/leavers, number of sessions cancelled, number on waiting list and the number of complaints received.

The provider will report all Serious Adverse Incidents using the email address adverse.incidents@hscni.net within 24 hours of any incident occurring.

Outline intervals for audits, evaluations, inspections and client feedback if required.

The provider will facilitate visits of the HSCB’s / PHA’s monitoring officers and provide them with required information. The HSCB /PHA reserves the right to make unannounced visits.

Payment for services is dependent upon relevant monitoring returns having been submitted to the HSCB /PHA.

Facilities & Equipment

All required facilities and equipment are provided as part of this service.

Reliability/failure to provide services

All scheduled staff absences and most unscheduled absences can be covered by staff on a rota basis. The risk of cancellation is therefore very low.

Outline impact of long-term absences? Other factors impacting on service delivery?

Assessment Criteria

Provide summary of the Assessment criteria that will be used to assess the appropriateness of the proposals submitted

Commencement Date of Service

Completion Date ______________

Review date

Service specification will be reviewed in __________________ and annually thereafter.

Service specification prepared by:

Contact details to be inserted including email and telephone.

Date: