Service providers, the public and funders all benefit from consistent standards and quality assurance. MBARC have been closely involved in the development of a range of quality assurance systems and audit based accreditation processes and currently we have two active audit programmes:
We believe that good quality information and advice on housing, welfare benefits and debt issues can play a central role in tackling financial and social exclusion, allowing individuals to play a full role in society. MBARC worked with Scottish Government and its predecessors to develop the original Scottish National Standards for Information and Advice Providers (the Standards). We have been involved in reviewing and promoting them for more than 15 years. Since 2004 MBARC has been contracted by Scottish Government’s Information and Standards Unit (IASU) to provide the audit based accreditation service for the Standards.
There is a team of auditors across Scotland, of whom, most work in accreditated agencies and all are advice workers with extensive experience in specific advice topics.
The format of the audit is established by the ‘Type’ of service offered by the applicant agency. This falls into either one of two categories
1. Agencies providing Type I services (i.e. providing information, advice and assistance but not taking on casework) undergo a much more streamlined audit process. Such agencies are required to evidence compliance with 15 core Standards rather than with all 40.
2. For all other agencies, i.e. those providing Type II and III information, a full audit covering all 40 Standards is undertaken.
A significant aim of the Standards is to foster a self supporting advice community where agencies can freely exchange ideas on good practice with the purpose of maintaining high standards of advice provision across the sector. Accredited agencies are always willing to share their experience of audit. We strongly recommend agencies to take advantage of this valuable peer support by making contact with a similar or local agency for relevant guidance and support.
MBARC also provides pre-audit diagnostic visits and consultancy support to agencies considering accreditation. We also provide customized training for agencies and groups of agencies in areas of law covered by the competences.
To discuss your requirements and the fees chargeable please contact Steve Chambers, Head of Advice Support Services: steve.chambers@mbarc.co.uk
Free training and support is also available from Scottish Government’s Information and Advice Standards Unit. Registration with the team at IASU is strongly advised as they will also provide you with access to other free support as this is made available from time to time. For information and assistance in this respect, contact Judi Reid on 0131 244 5523, or by email at: judi.reid@scotland.gsi.gov.uk
Comprehensive information relating to all aspects of the Standards can be found here:
The Scottish National Standards for Information and Advice Providers
As part of MBARC’s programme of work to develop sexual health services for young people in London’s Further Education Colleges (the FESH Programme) we have developed a service specification for sexual health services: Going All the Way. This has:
• Three levels of attainment aligned with Ofsted gradings: Satisfactory, Good & Outstanding
• The Specification covers four service domains: (i) Information, Advice & Guidance (ii) Contraception & Prevention (iii) Screening &Testing (iv) Pregnancy & Parenthood.