Our Experience of the Journey to Reengagement with QQI Women's Community Projects Our Experience of the Journey to Reengagement with QQI Valerie McHugh and Maureen Murtagh

Women's Community Projects (WCPM) Open since 1985 - Sr. Finbar Breslin - created a supportive environment for women Proud record of achievement and service to the local community in particular to women, children and their families. Continues to expand, modify and diversify of activities, in line with the needs of women in the local community. A range of integrated support services to families and in particular to women and children. We are one of the main training providers and childcare services in Westmeath.

Community Employment Programme Mullingar Community Counselling WCPM Departments WCPM Training & Education Community Employment Programme Childcare Facility Mullingar Community Counselling

Training & Education Programmes Level 3 General Learning Level 4 General Learning Level 5 Healthcare Level 5 Childcare Level 6 Childcare Level 6 Healthcare Back to Education Initiative Local Training Initiative Programme QQI awards WCPM Women’s Group Non - Accredited courses include ESOL, Pilates, Drama, Personal Development, Flower Arranging, Arts & Crafts, Aromatherapy, Mindfulness, Creative Writing and many more STEPS Programme NCCWN

Participation in the Pilot Reasons FETAC history Partnership with another training provider? QQI briefing in Croke Park in March 2017 Pride in the quality of our training Commitment to Quality Assurance Worried about submitting a huge piece of work and getting it wrong Support and feedback from QQI Finance

And then the FUN began! Met with Walter end of August 2017 Our first steps: Met with Walter end of August 2017 Gap Analysis - met with tutors and administration staff Completed a self evaluation on all our existing practices Plan of action in place

Resources that helped us QQI Guideline website – http://www.qqi-qaguidelines.com/ QQI Quality Assurance Guidelines – the bible Expertise – Cathleen Hartnett of QA | Services Our own experience – as tutors, management and BA in Training & Education Discussion with our tutors, staff and learners

Eleven Principles Governance and Management of Equality Documented Approach to Quality Assurance Programmes of Training and Education Staff Recruitment, Management and Development Teaching and Learning Assessment of Learners Supports for Learners Information and Data Management Public Information and Communication Other Parties involved in Education and Training Self Evaluation, Monitoring and Review Application form and Self Evaluation report

What went well? Opportunity to review the organisation practices regarding our training and education section Present QA very effective – but results of evaluation spoke a different tale – documentation to back this up practices. Greater awareness of Quality Assurance within the Training and Education section. Advice from an external consultant ….. Excellent support from QQI (Walter) when required This was a great opportunity to review the organisation practices regarding our training and education section We felt the our training and education department was very effective in our QA practice, however our self evaluation of all our practice proved that although we were effective, we did not have all the necessary documentation to back this up. Greater awareness of Quality Assurance within the Training and Education section. Advise from an external consultant Excellent support from QQI (Walter) when required

Our challenges TIME and Resources Approx. time?? Buying of expertise One size does not fit all Submitting too much information or too little? TIME and RESOURCES Approx time?? Buying of expertise, who can advise, but the QA policies and procedures must be completed by staff working within the organisation One size does not fit all, QA policies and Procedures needs to be tailored to the individual training organisation Were we submitting too much information or too little?

Thank you for listening to us Any questions ?