1. 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

2. Women's Community Projects (WCPM)
Open since 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.

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. Resources that helped us
QQI Guideline website –
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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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?

11. Thank you for listening to us
Any questions ?