Information for Applicants

What is sufficient evidence?

• The evidence must, in the opinion of ADRC, demonstrate that it is more likely than not certain practices/policies were in place at the time of the Validation Visit.

• Various types of evidence have differing value (weighting). For example, an assertion by the Applicant that a particular occurrence does in fact occur, even though the Validator comment indicates it is ‘not occurring’, is evidence. However, it is not sufficient just to state this. The Applicant must provide additional supporting evidence to show that it was occurring at the time of the Validation Visit. This is not necessarily because the Applicant is not believed but because the Applicant's evidence must be weighed against the evidence of the Validator. It may not be sufficient to merely make statements which contradict the evidence of the Validator.

• ADRC must not take into account any irrelevant evidence. For example, a statement that the service achieved High Quality status at the last accreditation and that nothing has changed, is not relevant.

• The evidence must be current. For example, a policy last reviewed in 2003 would not be considered appropriate as current for a Validation Visit made in 2008.

• Evidence must relate to the practices that were in place at the time of the Validation Visit. For example, a copy of a child/children's program, journal entry or observation must be dated on or prior to the Validation Visit.

• Evidence must relate to the particular quality Indicator under review and to the comment made by the Validator in the Validation Report. It must be both relevant and specific. For example, the evidence may need to refer to a specific staff member, a specific carer in a family day care scheme or to a particular room in a centre, depending on the comments of the Validator in the Validator Comment of the Validation Report.

In some cases the Validator has commented on an observable quality Indicator.

Examples of these are:

• Centre Based Care (QIAS) 1.1.6: The atmosphere is generally relaxed and happy;
• Outside School Hours Care (OSHCQA) 2.2.6: Snack/meal times are relaxed and enjoyable; and
• Family Day Care (FDCQA) 4.2.12: Mealtimes are pleasant social occasions and provide an opportunity for the care and children to talk in a relaxed way

Where this has occurred, the Applicant must respond to the specific comment made by the Validator and provide additional information as suggested in the example provided in What to do when preparing your evidence

ADRC notes that it can be more difficult for the Applicant to provide evidence for an observable quality Indicator. ADRC suggests that the Applicant can use various types of evidence demonstrated through program notes, and/or reflections on practice or program notes which show that the behaviour observed by the Validator, on the day/s of the Validation Visit, was not typical practice of the service.