The regulator and the professional services firm will work together to run the ‘Governing for Reform in Aged Care’ education program after the Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Senator Richard Colbeck, announced the organisations as the successful tenderers for the $10 million 20-month contract just prior to Christmas.
A number of organisations had submitted tenders last year to run the program, including joint tenders from LASA and the National Governance Institute, and ACSA and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
A recommendation from the Aged Care Royal Commission’s Final Report, the program is designed to help residential and home care providers strengthen their organisational governance and leadership and lead change from the top – but it is not compulsory.
“The Government recognises the importance of strong leadership and governance to drive the cultural change required to support the reforms in aged care,” said Minister Colbeck.
“All aged care providers need to review their current practices to ensure they are ready to embrace the future.”
1,250 individual expressions of interest received to date
The program – which is free and will run until 30 June 2023 – will target the sector’s estimated 3,700 board chairs and directors, with around 1,250 individual expressions of interest registrations received to date.
The AACQA tells us that the program is “providing practical tools and guidance for governing bodies and senior leaders to implement best practice in aged care governance.”
“It will also support their active participation in current Government reforms to ensure the provision of safe and high-quality care,” they said in a statement.
“The program will provide access to highly specialised supports including workshops, online learning, podcasts, networking opportunities, coaching and webinars.”
The Federal Government has committed to a suite of governance measures directed at the sector, which is one of the five pillars of its aged care reforms.
In September, the Government introduced legislation increasing governance requirements for approved providers from 1 March 2022, including providing an annual statement on their operations that will be made publicly available, and notifying the Commission of changes to key personnel.
The Governing for Reform in Aged Care program will commence in March 2022 – you can register your interest here.
