Andrew Kay Quality Assurance & Impact Co-ordinator, CANWe Solutions CIC Quality Assurance Identifying the Jewels in your Crown

Today’s Agenda A bit of background: CANW PQASSO and me What does ‘Quality Assurance’ mean to you? ‘Quality’ in your Organisation Identifying the Jewels in your Crown –Revisiting ‘Quality Assurance’ –Looking at the areas to be considered –Identifying the first steps, with examples How much will it cost? But look at the benefits!!!!! Case Study – Smile Mediation

first organisation in the UK to achieve January achieved A bit of background Andrew Kay Business Development and Project Management Quality Manager BS5750/ISO9001

Until 2012 ……. Practical Quality Assurance System for Small Organisations PQASSO Now “The leading quality standard developed for the third sector by the sector, for organisations of all sizes” Charities Evaluation Services

Probably a waste of time? Q A S S O What does ‘Quality Assurance’ mean to you?

Probably a waste of time? Quite complicated? A S O What does ‘Quality Assurance’ mean to you?

Probably a waste of time? Quite complicated? Another lot of rules to learn? S O What does ‘Quality Assurance’ mean to you?

Probably a waste of time? Quite complicated? Another lot of rules to learn? Seems a lot of extra work? S O What does ‘Quality Assurance’ mean to you?

Probably a waste of time? Quite complicated? Another lot of rules to learn? Seems a lot of extra work? Stops us being ‘creative’? O What does ‘Quality Assurance’ mean to you?

Probably a waste of time? Quite complicated? Another lot of rules to learn? Seems a lot of extra work? Stops us being ‘creative’? OTT for our needs? What does ‘Quality Assurance’ mean to you?

‘Quality' in your Organisation Recruitment Learning and Development Contract Negotiations External Meetings with clients, stakeholders, agencies, etc Feedback, monitoring, evaluation Internal Meetings: Trustees, Managers, Services, Projects, etc Supervision and Assessment Networking External Assessments

Nearly everything you do in your day-to-day work involves ‘quality’ So, who is responsible for ‘Quality’ in your organisation? EVERYBODY! ‘Quality' in your Organisation

Probably a waste of time? Quite complicated? Another lot of rules to learn? Seems a lot of extra work? Stops us being ‘creative’? OTT for our needs? Questions you may have asked No - because you probably aren’t going to be doing anything extra!

Probably a waste of time? Quite complicated? Another lot of rules to learn? Seems a lot of extra work? Stops us being ‘creative’? OTT for our needs? Questions you may have asked No - because you probably aren’t going to be doing anything extra!

Probably a waste of time? Quite complicated? Another lot of rules to learn? Seems a lot of extra work? Stops us being ‘creative’? OTT for our needs? Questions you may have asked No - because you probably aren’t going to be doing anything extra!

Probably a waste of time? Quite complicated? Another lot of rules to learn? Seems a lot of extra work? Stops us being ‘creative’? OTT for our needs? Questions you may have asked No - because you probably aren’t going to be doing anything extra!

Trustees/ Directors ManagersStaffVolunteersPartners So, what’s it all about? Involving Everybody

Planning Governance Leadership and Management User-Centred Services Managing People Learning and Development Managing Money Managing Resources Communications and Promotion Working with Others Monitoring and Evaluation Results Everybody? Really? (1)

Everybody? Really? (2) IndicatorsSources of Evidence The organisation’s mission, values and aims are clear and are in line with its governing document Mission Statement Governing document (constitution, memorandum and articles of association, or rules) There is a realistic and achievable operational plan for the current year, with targets for the most important outputs Operational Plan Clearly-defined Targets Progress Reports Major risks are identified, including risks to the safety of people, and plans address ways to manage these Health & Safety Policy Risk Assessments Reports to the Board on ‘risk’ Planning – Level 1

Recommended First Step Carry out an initial self-assessment review of the 12 areas Commitment Maximum one day per ‘Level’ Key person(s) from each area, when needed Purpose To identify where you are in terms of ‘Quality’ Key Criterion Everybody? Really? (3)

That’s up to you! And then… Detailed Self-Assessment

So how much does it cost, then ??? First meeting / presentation Free of Charge PQASSO Manual (from CES) See CES website Initial Self-Assessment (per ‘Level’) £250 Detailed Self-Assessment (per ‘Level’) £250 ‘Consultancy’ per day (incl expenses) £190 CES PQASSO Assessment See CES website

What are the benefits? Commissioning / Funding Applications –Charity Commission Endorsement for PQASSO Level 2 –Multiple layers of impact in PQQs (Pre-Qualification Questionnaires) Be able to state that you have – or are working towards – a recognised Quality Mark Show awareness of – and practice of - ‘Quality’ in day-to-day operations Refer to your ability to meet PQASSO standards From a recent PQQ from Salford City Council, Child Action Northwest were able to quote their conformance to PQASSO standards in every single category in the PQQ: The OrganisationEconomic and Financial Standing InsuranceHealth and Safety Equality and DiversitySustainability Business ContinuityTechnical and Professional Ability Data ProtectionSafeguarding Outcome MeasurementWorking with Service Users

What are the benefits? Within your organisation Awareness across the organisation that ‘Quality’ is an integral aspect of day-to-day operations – not something separate If self-assessments are done well (by involving ‘everybody’): –People will feel that they have been given ‘a voice’ in influencing the way that the organisation is run –Major and other problems/omissions may be identified, and then rectified –Opportunities may be identified, discussed and – where appropriate – implemented –If the intention is to be assessed for a Quality Mark, the external assessors will find an organisation with good working practices, increased awareness of what ‘Quality’ is, and positive attitudes to maintaining the standards

Case Study: Smile Mediation

August 2010 – Karen Ainsworth joined as manager January 2011 – Marketing Collateral March Present – Marketing Strategy September PQASSO Initial Self-Assessment Oct 2012 – April 2013 – Consultancy / Practical Help January 2013 – Business / Operation Plan Template April 2013 – ‘Live’ on Business / Operation Plan September 2013 – PQASSO Detail Self-Assessment 2014 (Targeted) – PQASSO Level 1 Assessment

What we can offer in terms of QA: Mentoring Consultancy Project Management Practical Assistance Also: Marketing Support and Consultancy Business Planning Support and Consultancy Social Return on Investment Support and Consultancy Website Design and Maintenance Design and Print Services Contact: Andrew Kay or Lindsey Duckworth t: e: or