Amended Administrative Order No. 11 Series of 2007 Entitled Revised Standards on Residential Care Service

December 12, 2012

DSWD ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 015-12

 

I. Rationale

The Department of Social Welfare and Development as lead in social protection is mandated to set standards, register, license, accredit and provide consultative services to organizations engaged in social welfare and development activities. In executing the regulatory and quality assurance role of the Department, it enables to develop and maintain the standards of a high performing, proactive and supportive partners in the delivery of social welfare and development programs and services.

Administrative Order (AO) No. 11 series of 2007 entitled Revised Standards on Residential Care Service provides ladderized standards on the operation of a twenty-four (24) hour residential care services for abandoned, abused, neglected or voluntarily committed children, youth, women, persons with disabilities and older persons among others. TaISEH

The AO 11 is being used for several years but limited numbers of residential care services have been accredited at Level 1 and only four (4) passed the Level 2 which is managed by a private social welfare agency. There are also several strategies that have been developed by the Social Technology Bureau that need to be integrated in the set standards. Further, with the constant changes in this environment, the AO 11 is deemed in need of amendment.

II. Legal Bases

1. Republic Act 5416 of 1968 otherwise known as Providing for Comprehensive Social Service for Individuals and Groups in Need of Assistance, Creating the Department of Social Welfare, Section 3 — The Department shall:

a. (2) set standards and policies to insure effective implementation of public and private social welfare programs. TDcAaH

b. (5) accredit institutions and organizations, public and private, engaged in social welfare activity including the licensing of child caring and child placement institutions and provide consultative services thereto.

2. Executive Order no. 292 otherwise known as Administrative Code of 1987, Title XVI, Chapter I, Section 3, Functions of the Department — to accomplish its mandates and objectives, the Department shall:

a. (7) accredit institutions and organizations engaged in social welfare activities and provide consultative and information services to them.

b. (14) to set standards, accredit and monitor performance of all social welfare activities both in public and private sectors. DETcAH

3. Executive Order No. 221 series of 2003 otherwise known as Amending Executive Order No. 15 series of 1998 entitled Redirecting the Functions and Operations of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Section 3 Powers and Functions of DSWD — (a) "Set standards, accredit and provide consultative services to institutions, organizations and persons engaged in social welfare activities and monitor performance of institutions, organizations and persons engaged in social welfare activities, both public and private".

4. Administrative Order No. 17 series of 2008 otherwise known as Rules and Regulations on the Registration and Licensing of Social Welfare and Development Agencies and Accreditation of Social Welfare and Development Programs and Services. VI. General Procedures 3. Accreditation of Social Welfare and Development Programs and Services — (c.1.) "The Standards Bureau shall develop the standards and accreditation tool for every social welfare and development programs and services in consultation with the internal and external stakeholders as basis for accrediting the social welfare and development programs and services being implemented by a registered and licensed SWA or Resource Agency providing direct services".

5. Memorandum Circular No. 1 and 6 series of 2012 otherwise known as Re-clustering of Offices, Bureaus, Services and Units (OBSUs) at the DSWD Central Office (as amended by MC 6). Standards Bureau Functions — (1) "Develop national standards on registration, licensing and accreditation of Social Welfare and Development Agencies and service providers".

III. Objectives

1. To protect and promote the best interest and welfare of residents of residential care facilities of DSWD, LGUs and private Social Welfare and Development Agencies (SWDAs).

2. To promote efficiency, effectiveness and accountability in the management and implementation of programs and services in residential care facilities.

3. To ensure that the social welfare and development agencies are empowered and capable of delivering programs and services following the standards set by the Department.

4. To recognize and provide awards and/or incentives to residential care facilities managed by public and private social welfare agencies awarded as Center of Excellence by DSWD. aEHIDT

IV. Coverage

The amended guidelines shall apply to all Social Welfare and Development Agencies providing residential care services for children, youth, women, older persons and persons with disabilities among others including those managed by DSWD, Local Government Units (LGUs) and Non-Government Organizations (NGOs).

V. Standards

The specific indicators per work areas are enumerated in ladderized system in the attached Annex 1. Standards for Residential Care Service. The indicators are categorized into five (5) work areas as set by Administrative Order No. 17 series of 2008 namely:

A. Administration and Organization — The clear statement of the vision, mission and goals (VMG) of the SWDA indicating the desired change for its residents and the program and services it offers to operationalize the VMG. It has a well-defined organizational structure that operates towards an efficient and effective implementation and management of the organization, with sufficient number of trained and competent staff organized to give the best possible services to the residents. Policies are consistent with the VMG and supportive of international conventions, declarations and other national and local legislations. Appropriate internal and external mechanisms for efficient and effective operation are in place.

B. Program Management — Projects and activities are responsive to the needs of the residents and appropriate resources are allocated and utilized efficiently towards attaining the SWDA's VMG as well as in improving the total well-being of the residents.

C. Case Management — A manageable number of residents in accordance to standards are handled by the registered social workers and other qualified paraprofessionals applying (a) specific social work methods; (b) innovative approaches/strategies and processes; and (c) are in accordance with the assessment of the residents' problems and treatment plan including the systematic documentation of the helping process as basis for determining appropriate interventions and their effects on the residents being assisted. AISHcD

D. Helping Strategies/Interventions — Provision of any or a combination of services that contribute to the attainment of the helping goals for the residents.

E. Physical Structures and Safety — Physical facilities shall be designed to promote the well-being of the residents and the staff. It shall conform to the basic safety standards and program requirements for the day to day operation and implementation of the SWDA's programs and services.

Those SWDAs which complied with the set indicators shall be awarded with certificate of accreditation valid for three (3) to five (5) years depending on the assessment of Standards Bureau. The accredited SWDAs shall be continuously provided technical assistance either by the Bureau or concerned FOs.

VI. Institutional Arrangement

A. Central Office

1. Standards Bureau (SB)

a. Conduct accreditation assessment of SWDAs ESCcaT

b. Monitor and provide regular technical assistance to DSWD Field Offices (FOs) and SWDAs

c. Recommends to the DSWD Secretary the issuance of accreditation certificate to SWDAs complied with the Level 1, 2 and 3 indicators.

d. Maintain and update national database of SWDAs.

e. Provide the PSB an annual accreditation status of DSWD run residential care facilities.

f. Include in the Bureau's Work and Financial Plan and allocate funds for the cash incentives and needed supplies for the plaque of recognition to be given to SWDAs which complied with the level 2 and level 3 accreditation.

g. Act as resource person during trainings, seminars and forum related to SWDAs compliance to standards that may be conducted by the FOs and/or Area Based Standards Network (ABSNET) among others.

2. Capacity Building Bureau

 Conduct and/or facilitate training for staff of SB, FOs and SWDAs.

3. Protective Service Bureau

a. Provide regular technical assistance to FOs and DSWD-run residential care facilities

b. Provide the SB a copy of the report of the Inspectorate Committee relative to the monitoring of residential care services

B. Field Offices

1. Monitor the operations of SWDAs residential care services including DSWD- and LGU-run residential care facilities

2. Monitor and regularly provide technical assistance to SWDAs

3. Conduct pre-accreditation assessment and recommend to SB those SWDAs ready for accreditation IaDcTC

4. Conduct and/or facilitate training for SWDAs

5. Provide orientation of the guidelines to SWDAs

6. Furnish SB, copy of the quarterly monitoring report

7. Maintain and update SWDAs' database within the region

C. Public and Private Social Welfare and Development Agencies

Observe and comply with the set standards and indicators in the implementation of its residential care services for children, youth, women, older persons and persons with disabilities among others. ASaTHc

VII. Awards and Recognition

Those SWDAs including DSWD- and LGU-run residential care facilities implementing residential care service which meet either Level 2 or 3 accreditation standards shall be awarded with plaque of recognition and grant of cash incentives depending on the availability of funds. The amount of cash incentives shall not be lower than ten thousand pesos (Php10,000.00) for Level 2 and a minimum of twenty thousand pesos (Php20,000.00) for Level 3 accreditation. The cash incentives shall be used to augment the SWDA's program expenses. The funds shall be charged against the SB's budget hence, shall be included in its annual work and financial plan. Likewise, utilization of funds shall be monitored by the SB and the concerned FO.

The selected Center of Excellence shall be made a model residential care facility and/or venue for trainings, research and documentation of good practices.

VIII. Repealing Clause:

This Administrative Order supersedes DSWD Administrative Order No. 11 series of 2007 and other issuances that are inconsistent to its provisions.

IX. Effectivity

This guideline shall take effect immediately.

Issued in Quezon City, this 12th day of December 2012.

 

(SGD.) CORAZON JULIANO-SOLIMANSecretary

Attachments available upon request.