Supporting & Encouraging the Development of Robust & Proportionate Quality Assurance Systems in all parts of the Youth Service Guidance Documentation Developed by the Quality Assurance Sub-Group as part of the Regional Youth Development Plan.

Quality Assurance Task The Quality Assurance Sub-Group was established to assist in the achievement of Priorities for Youth Action which states that: ‘EA and YCNI will support and encourage the development of robust and proportionate quality assurance systems in all parts of the youth service’. (p.17) Its work is part of an overarching commitment to enhancing the contribution of youth work to raising standards for all.

Agreed Aim of Quality Assurance in Youth Service An on-going, sharply focused, feedback and evaluation process which tracks the effectiveness of existing provision and the learning outcomes for young people. Supports continuous improvement in the quality of youth work at all levels (including part-time and voluntary unit level). Involves managers, youth-workers, volunteers, children and young people, management committees, as well as policy makers.

Principles to Guide the Implementation of Quality Assurance Systems across Youth All youth organisations/units/groups will be required (mandated) to implement A quality assurance system. Quality assurance systems must: o Be proportional o Be wider than front-line delivery o Track the effectiveness of existing provision, measure outcomes against identified need and demonstrate how it will support continuous improvement

Principles to Guide the Implementation of Quality Assurance Systems across Youth The agreement that all youth organisations/units/groups will be required (mandated) to implement A quality assurance system was reached on the understanding that: On-going support is a necessary component to mandating all youth organisations/units and groups to implement quality assurance systems; with input required from across Voluntary and Statutory service providers.

Other Areas Considered: 1.Quality Assurance and the Inspection Process 2.Quality Assurance - Tracking Learning Outcomes for Young People 3.Quality Assurance – Monitoring and Support 4.Quality Assurance – Draft Baseline or Minimum Requirement across Practice/People/Organisation

Summary of Recommendations for As part funding applications to EA, all RVYOs and large organisations or youth groups will be invited to report on their use of quality assurance (including any support needs) from April Linked to the above data collection, the current QA Systems being used by all RVYOs and funded groups will be mapped, and training and support needs identified by September All major funded groups will have a Quality Assurance System in place by March 2017.

Summary of Recommendations for The current QA Framework (2012) will be reviewed to embed the Outcomes Framework by January The EA will have a single system in place, inclusive of delegated support and monitoring duties for staff by March Existing quality assurance resources to be transitioned from CDU into the proposed system of practice development for youth work.