Service evaluation is an integral aspect of TAS' work. In 1998/99 evaluations were undertaken of TAS' advice and publication services using survey instruments of tenants and community agencies developed and used in the previous two years. A report on the evaluation results is available from TAS. The report also documents a proposed evaluation strategy for TAS to adopt. The report noted that TAS already has well articulated and documented components of requirements for evaluation needs but that these have not been pulled together into an evaluation strategy. TAS will seek to do this in the coming year.
TAS community legal education and training activities are also evaluated as a matter of practice. Reports are written for each session delivered as a document of the activity, for future reference and as a means of evaluating the session with a view to potential improvements for future sessions.
As part of the on going development of TAS and to ensure quality of service a comprehensive policy and procedures manual has been worked on throughout the year. The manual allows TAS to capture policies and procedures that have been developed by the Executive Committee with staff. It also helps review service delivery on an ongoing basis and to effect quality improvement where appropriate and resources permit. The manual will form a useful basis for the introduction of service standards by the Commonwealth which is predicted to occur within the next 12 to 18 months.
Over the past year TAS staff and management committee have been busy developing an Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA). The EBA outlines the employment conditions under which TAS can employ new and existing staff. The EBA does not replace the Award but rather sits on top of the award. The EBA came into effect in January 1999 and has proved effective as a base for administering staff arrangements.
In addition the following areas of work have been undertaken, all of which assist to maintain and develop TAS as an effective service: