Responsibilities of Continuity of Support Programme providers
If you provide government-managed Continuity of Support (CoS) Programme services, you must meet certain responsibilities. These include following the program resources, meeting quality and safeguard standards, and adhering to the program principles.
Follow the CoS Programme resources
Commonwealth Continuity of Support (CoS) Programme Manual
This manual is for CoS Programme service providers. It outlines the requirements supporting the delivery and management of the CoS Programme and forms part of the Funding Agreement for service providers.
Commonwealth Continuity of Support (CoS) Programme Guidelines Overview
These guidelines form the basis of the relationship between the Department of Health and the service provider. They provide an overview of the CoS Programme and its related activities, performance management and reporting
Continuity of Support Programme Terms and Conditions
These terms and conditions form part of the Continuity of Support (CoS) Programme Funding Agreement and apply to the delivery of CoS Programme services.
Responsibilities to clients
When providing CoS Programme services to a client, you must make sure:
- your services are effective, efficient, and properly targeted
- you apply duty of care standards
- special needs groups have equal and just access to your services
- you work collaboratively to deliver services
- you use best practices
Services you can provide
CoS Programme providers can provide certain services under 2 funding models.
These services support older Australians with disability to have the same outcomes they were having before moving to the CoS Programme.
Quality and safeguards
In July 2018, the CoS Programme started moving to national quality arrangements. These are the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Quality and Safeguard Commission (the NDIS Commission) arrangements.
All CoS providers must be registered under the NDIS Commission.
As part of your quality responsibilities, CoS Programme providers must:
- meet the quality standards outlined in the National Disabilities Insurance Scheme Act 2013, NDIS Rules and NDIS Guidelines
- meet the quality standards outlined in the outlined in the NDIS Code of Conduct
- meet the quality and safeguard requirements outlined in your funding agreement
- support your clients’ rights and understand your responsibilities as outlined in the NDIS Practice Standards and Quality Indicators
- work to improve the quality and safety of services and supports provided to CoS clients
- investigate and resolve problems
- plan and deliver services that are open to diversity
- have regular quality reviews
- provide audit reports when requested
Program principles
The CoS Programme principles are:
- simple administration — this reduces the workload on providers and helps with performance reporting
- minimal disruption — to both clients and service providers
- minimal red tape — this aligns with our commitment to reducing red tape
Laws that apply
All the services you provide must comply with the relevant Commonwealth, state and territory laws. This includes working with vulnerable people.
These are in the CoS Programme Terms and Conditions.