Supplier standards exceptional circumstances

Before deciding if there are exceptional circumstances for the client, their partner and dependent children (if any) to stay with a not opted-in supplier, you must consider whether the following reasons apply first:

• there are no opted-in suppliers available that are adequate to meet the needs of the client, their partner and dependent children (if any) or
• a not opted-in supplier is the most appropriate option

If these reasons do not apply, the exceptional circumstances reason can be considered.

Criteria to consider when deciding if the clients situation is an exceptional circumstance:

• it is an unforeseen out-of-the ordinary event that cannot be planned for and
• it is beyond the client's control and
• it sets the client apart from others in a similar situation

Exceptional circumstances also include situations where MSD's ability to administer the emergency housing supplier standards policy is temporarily impacted (e.g. a business disruption such as an IT system outage disabling MSD's ability to identify opted-in suppliers).

Generally staff will be advised when there are exceptional circumstances that impact the ability to apply the supplier standards.