National Quality Standards Framework (NQSF) - Homeless Agency

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Scale of attainment The process involved in assigning a position on the scale of attainment is based on self-assessment. Organisations will be required to identify their initial position and over time determine their progress along this continuum. The terms on the scale of attainment are as follows: Absent Acquiring Achieved Advanced Evidence is not in place Evidence is developing Evidence is developed Evidence is highly developed and successfully implemented Staying there (committed to continuous development) Not there (if not in place, please indicate the reasons why this is the case and outline how this will be addressed) Not there yet (committed to achieving and making tangible progress) Got there (committed to advancing) 12 If, having considered the indicators, you feel that the indicators listed under one of the four categories apply to your organisation, you should take the following steps: ■■ based on the indicators listed, select a position on the scale of attainment; ■■ outline why you have chosen that position. The NQSF is a continuous process. Therefore in the commitment to quality service delivery, there should always be room for improvement. For example, if you have decided that an ‘advanced’ position on the scale is merited in relation to a standard, your first step should be to ensure you maintain that position and your next step should be to consider how you might improve on this. Falling between different points on the scale of attainment In a number of cases, your organisation may be at different points on the scale of attainment in relation to the indicators. For example, some of the indicators under ‘acquiring’ may apply to you, while you may also have several in the ‘advanced’ category. If this is the case, consider this collectively within the Implementation Team and select a point on the scale that best reflects your organisation’s overall position. There should be sufficient evidence and a clear rationale for the position an organisation assigns itself on the scale.
Step 5: Engage in the external assessment process The external assessment process (see Part 4: Section 4.1) validates the practical and qualitative aspects of youth work provision. External assessment takes place in Year 1 of implementation of the NQSF – and thereafter, in Year 1 of every 3-year cycle. (In the intervening years, organisations will be required to continue to progress the actions in their Continuous Improvement Plan and to complete a shortened Progress Report in conjunction with the VEC Officer/ NQSF Standards Officer.) To ensure that the NQSF has sufficient regard for youth work practice, three key sources of evidence will form part of the external assessment process – a review of documentary evidence, observations on practice and focus groups with stakeholders (see below). These will indicate support for the achievement of the core principles and standards in the NQSF and provide an opportunity to ensure that the position taken by the organisation on the scale of attainment is validated in practice. Documentary evidence The VEC Officer/NQSF Standards Officer will request to review the documentary evidence cited and will discuss the basis on which the organisation assigns itself a position on the scale of attainment. All evidence will be retained locally by the organisation and will be made available upon request to the VEC Officer/NQSF Standards Officer. 13 Observations on practice This aims to provide an opportunity for more practical examples of quality youth work to be observed and, where appropriate, fed back as further indicators, which may, in turn, inform the ongoing development of the NQSF. The VEC Officer/NQSF Standards Officer will ask to observe a specific area of practice that indicates support for a particular core principle or standard in the NQSF. Examples of practice to be observed should be part of the overall and ongoing programmes offered, and not specifically ‘set up’ for the sole purpose of showcasing practice. The areas of youth work provision to be observed should be considered in relation to the core principle or standard supported and the position taken by the organisation on the scale of attainment. Focus groups with stakeholders In assessing the progress of an organisation and its services in the NQSF process, the views of stakeholders (such as staff, management, young people and volunteers) must be taken into account. This input is crucial in providing evidence of quality service delivery and should be carried out through focus groups within the organisation. It is essential that young people are included among these stakeholders so as to ensure that their views, attitudes and experiences are recognised and are regarded as central to the process.
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