Quality Standards, The History;
2005:
Young Suffolk was commissioned by Connexions with continued support from Suffolk Youth and Connexions to:
1. Establish and pilot a Quality Standards Framework for the VCS in Suffolk.
2. Develop a pilot programme of support, information, guidance and practical assistance to enable VCS organisations to achieve the quality standards.
Young Suffolk’s quality standards were created in partnership with the voluntary children and youth sector. The quality standards reflect the areas the VCS consider to be the indicators of safe, well run groups.
They complement the Common Core of Skills and Knowledge identified in Every Child Matters. In 2003 the government published a green paper called Every Child Matters. This green paper explained how the government wanted to improve the way that people and organisations, including volunteers, work with children and young people.
Young Suffolk’s ongoing role is to facilitate the development and monitoring the quality standard.
It is our belief that the quality standard belongs to the voluntary sector groups it is designed to support.
As a result the quality standards are continually being developed.
To review the original Framework please click the Quality Standards Archive link.
The logo for Quality Standards was created by a young person.
2006:
A full time worker was recruited by Young Suffolk to lead the implementation and continued development of the Quality Standard.
The pilot programme was completed. For details of the findings from the pilot please click here.
The framework was further developed, building on the lessons learned and feedback received from groups undertaking the standard.
11 groups achieved the quality standard in the first year. Many of these groups were involved in the pilot for Quality standards in 2005.
2007:
The updated framework (version4) for this year was designed not only to reflect emerging practice and guidance but was also cross-referenced to the Suffolk Safeguarding Children Board Section 11 audit requirement document and process. This means you will have the appropriate arrangements in place to safeguard children and young people using your service.
5 new groups achieved the quality mark. 7 groups started working towards the standard.
FREE accredited Risk assessment and risk management courses were developed and run for groups engaged in the Quality standards process.
2008:
The version4 framework was officially endorsed by Suffolk County Council and Suffolk Safeguarding Children Board.
14 groups have started working towards the quality mark, as of 1 June 2008.
2 more have achieved the quality mark this year.
3 Young Suffolk Area Co-Ordinators were appointed in April and a key part of their role is to support groups through the Quality Standards process. This has significantly increased the amount of support that can be given to groups working towards the standards.
“Lite” quality standards is being actively developed to meet the needs of small groups who do not have any paid staff.