Which quality marks are best to get?
Submitted by Subby on Thu, 19/01/2012 - 6:38pm
We are a voluntary sector specialist support provider to the Work Programme, ESF Families and we also hold smaller employability contracts and NEET sub-contracts. We currently have no externally recognised quality assurance accreditation. It would be useful to get input on:
a) How helpful is it to have quality marks when applying for funding/securing sub-contracts?
b) Which quality marks would you recommend us getting? We are working on PQASSO and are planning to then look at getting the Matrix Standard.
Any input would be gratefully received.
What is PQASSO?
PQASSO is the leading quality standard developed for the sector, by the sector. PQASSO’s flexibility means it can be used by all types of third sector organisations, including charities, social enterprises, community interest companies and community groups. It is appropriate for organisations of all sizes, from those with a handful of employees, to organisations with over 2,000 employees. Over 14,000 organisations have made PQASSO their standard of choice.
Organisations can apply for the PQASSO Quality Mark, a nationally recognised award that offers users as well as commissioners and funders external verification of the quality and credibility of an organisation.
Very interesting, but since all quality marks say they are the leading quality standard what is PQASSO. As I have only had my second cup of coffee, specifically what does the initials stand for. I have never come across it before.
You can find out more about PQASSO here: http://www.ces-vol.org.uk/index.cfm?pg=42
I have no idea what the initials stand for!
Practical Quality Assurance System for Small Organisations!
My advice is that you identify quality marks that mean something to your organisation. Don't select a quality mark purely based on impressing someone. It should be beneficial to your organisation. Too many organisations got ISO9001 accredited, but I've yet to see any in our industry that really do meet the standard. Some of them are shocking. Same with Matrix - it was the IAG standard of choice, but once people got it they totally forgot it! Decide what quality means to you and find a quality mark that reflects it.
The other thing to remember is that some funders require you to hold certain quality marks. For example, to deliver IAG at part of a SFA contract you had to have matrix (I believe this is no longer the case under more recent contracts). So, whilst 'impressing someone' isn't a motive to get a particular quality mark it may still be important to compete in a tender round if it is a factor in the score process.