The Human Services Standards (Standards) are made up of the department’s four service delivery standards and the governance and management standards of a department endorsed independent review body.

The Standards and independent review process seek to ensure that people experience the same quality of service no matter which service provider they access. The Standards are summarised as:

• Empowerment: People’s rights are promoted and upheld.
• Access and Engagement: People’s right to access transparent, equitable and integrated services is promoted and upheld.
• Wellbeing: People’s right to wellbeing and safety is promoted and upheld.
• Participation: People’s right to choice, decision making and to actively participate as a valued member of their chosen community is promoted and upheld.

DHS, (2017). Human Services Standards. http://www.dhs.vic.gov.au/about-the-department/documents-and-resources/policies,-guidelines-and-legislation/human-services-standards