All service providers will be required to undertake an independent assessment (also known as third party verification) of their performance against the NSW Disability Service Standards (NSW DSS), once during the life of each funding agreement. This process will include recognition of other quality standards and systems a service provider may have in place.

National Disability Services has established a list of approved third party verifiers who can conduct a third party verification. NDS is administering a subsidy to assist services to develop a quality management system, prepare for and meet third party verification.

The verification process will take into account service provider self review against feedback from people with a disability, their families and carers, and will include an onsite review (sample of sites where the service operates).

Third party verifiers can also use the results of any assessment that the provider has conducted using the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

Service providers can use the ADHC Systems Recognition Tool to understand the extent to which their existing accreditations and systems meet the NSW DSS.

Following verification, third party verifiers will issue service providers with advice about the outcome of verification, as well as a report on areas for improvement where required.

Service providers are expected to act on the independent feedback received from a third party as a valuable source of information towards continuously improving the quality of services. Service providers are also required to provide ADHC with the results of the independent assessment to inform ADHC's risk management approach to monitoring and review of service delivery.