Audit and assurance

They help identify what is working well, where services can improve, and how providers can continue to deliver better support.

The goal is to improve outcomes for disabled people by promoting quality, safety, accountability, and ongoing learning.

Why this matters

Disability support services must respect people’s rights and goals, and help them live the life they choose.

Audit and assurance are there to:

• Help make sure disability support services are safe and provide high-quality support.
• Identify risks and concerns early and help keep people safe.
• Support services to listen to people and respond to their choices, goals, aspirations, and individual needs.
• Improve the experiences of disabled people and the quality of services they receive.
• Build trust and confidence in disability support services.

What happens during an audit

An audit is a review of a disability support service.

During a review, auditors may:

• Visit a service.
• Hear from disabled people, families and whānau, or others involved in their support.
• Talk with staff and service leaders.
• Review information about how support is delivered.
• Look at how services promote safety, wellbeing, rights, choice, and inclusion.
• Identify examples of good practice and opportunities for improvement.

The focus is on understanding how well services support people to be safe, respected, included, and able to achieve the outcomes that matter to them.

How audits support better services

Audit and assurance are not just about checking services. They help services, providers, and DSS understand what is working well and where improvements can be made.

Information gathered through audits is used to:

• Identify good practice that can be shared across the sector.
• Highlight common themes, risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Support providers to strengthen their services and address areas of concern.
• Inform future quality, safeguarding, and service improvement activities.
• Support decision-making and continuous improvement across the disability support system.
• Increase transparency and accountability.

Your experiences, feedback, and insights are important. They help DSS and providers understand what matters most to you and where improvements may be needed.

At the heart of the programme is a commitment to supporting disabled people to live good lives through services that respect their aspirations, choices, rights, and wellbeing.

You can find more information about audit and assurance here on our website: Audit and assurance