In order to provide high quality services consistently, you need to manage all your activities in a coordinated way. A quality standard will help you do this.
Sometimes they are called ‘quality assurance systems’, ‘quality models’ – basically they are all ways of saying what you do, doing what you say and proving it. A quality standard is a formal system to implement, monitor and evidence quality management.
Quality should be integrated with existing work, activities and organisational structures. This will mean the implementation of a quality system is less likely to feel like ‘extra’ work. And a good quality system should be embedded into the way you work, reflecting what you do and how you do it - not imposing additional, pointless requirements.
If you want to know more about how to get started with a quality standard, or you need help with monitoring, evaluation and performance management, contact CVS for one-to-one support for groups on any of these issues. If you want to use quality standards, make sure you choose the most appropriate tool for your needs.
- Make sure you know what you want it to do
- Have you got the resources to implement and maintain it?
- You also need to decide if you will opt for a self-assessed or externally validated tool.
You are likely to find you may have already developed some elements
There are several models to choose from which can be externally assessed:
- Trusted Standard (previously known as PQASSO) - the most widely used system in the Third Sector
- ISO 9000 - an internationally recognised system
- Investors in People - focuses on people management
- EFQM The Excellence Model - an overarching framework for continuous improvement
All these model Quality Standards provide guidance on good management practice by setting a standard to be met or questioning what you currently do. Using one of these models is useful because funders and stakeholders will have an understanding of how your quality system works.