Quality Standards

Learn more about the Approved Provider Standard for befriending and mentoring schemes, including how to apply:

Frequently Asked Questions about APS

Where did the Approved Provider Standard come from?

The standard was originally developed for mentoring projects by the National Mentoring Network in England. When this organisation changed to the Mentoring and Befriending Foundation in 2004 they revised the standard to be suitable for befriending projects too.

What has the involvement and interest of Scottish organisations been in the standard?

Befriending Network Scotland [BNS] was commissioned to advise on revising the standard for befriending projects and in supporting a pilot group of English befriending projects through their applications. Following this work, the standard was re-launched by the Mentoring and Befriending Foundation to both mentoring and befriending projects.

Who is supporting the development of the Approved Provider Standard in Scotland?

In 2006 and 2007, BNS ran a pilot project with Scottish Mentoring Network to promote the standard in Scotland to befriending and mentoring projects respectively. This work was funded by the Laidlaw Youth Project and the Scottish Executive and resulted in over 30 projects gaining the award. This pilot work led to further funding being accessed from the Big Lottery Fund in Scotland to promote APS to befriending projects from 2007-2012. Befriending Network Scotland has now appointed a Quality Officer (Martha Lester-Cribb) to undertake this work.

What has been the feedback from projects which have completed the process?

Approved providers have reported very positively on the value of the process as a means of gathering together all of their project's information, of being checked independently by an outside body and of updating and introducing new procedures or documentation where necessary. In addition, most intend to use the fact that they have gained APS as a promotional tool locally and with funders.

I have gained a real sense of the quality of what we are providing. It was good for me because it was more 'hands on' for me than an external evaluation. It got me thinking quite hard about things. Helped me to see what was missing and what only existed in my head not on paper.

What do funders think about APS?

Major voluntary sector funders are becoming aware of APS. Alex Johnston (responsible for policy in the Supporting 21st Century Life investment area at the Big Lottery Fund) said:

“For befriending applications... we will check during the assessment process if they have achieved the Approved Provider Standard or intend to work towards this. Very high demand has resulted in our funding programmes becoming highly competitive. Consequently those organisations which have achieved APS or are working towards it stand a better chance of securing our funding.”

The Laidlaw Youth Trust commented:

“...having, or working towards, Approved Provider Standard offers another piece of evidence that an organisation is committed to delivering a quality service, and that may well mean the Trust is more likely to commit a longer term of funding from the start, rather than simply one year.”

How does APS compare to other quality standards?

The Mentoring and Befriending Foundation has mapped APS against 3 other quality standards: PQASSO, Matrix and Investing in Volunteers. See: http://www.mandbf.org.uk/goodpractice/mapping_aps/

How much does it cost to apply for APS?

Currently application for Approved Provider status is free!

Is my project eligible to apply for the Approved Provider Standard?

In order to apply for APS, your project must:

  • have been through at least one cycle of recruiting, training, matching and supporting volunteers
  • operate on a voluntary and primarily one-to-one basis (as a guide, at least 70% of each client's experience with your project should be 1:1 befriending)
  • have clear aims and objectives with a clear organisational/management structure to support it
  • have a clearly defined process for the identification, referral and preparation of befriendees
  • have established policies and procedures for recruitment, selection and screening of befrienders
  • provide effective preparation and support for volunteer befrienders
  • have systems in place for measuring its effectiveness

What is 'Working Towards' Status?

When organisations have registered their intention to apply for APS with BNS, they become eligible to describe their project as 'Working Towards APS' for a period of up to 12 months.

I'm setting up a new project, when can we apply?

New projects can register as 'Working Towards APS' as long as they think they plan to submit their application within the year and undertake to develop their project in line with the key principles of APS.

How long will it take me to prepare my application?

Projects involved during 2006 and 2007 have found that there is significant work involved in completing an application. Generally they have reported that it has taken them at least the 20-30 hours indicated by a pilot set of projects. Some projects have scheduled an amount of time each week (e.g. a half day) to build up their application and portfolio of evidence over a few weeks before submitting it for assessment. Others have blocked off a week to undertake the work.

What do you mean when you say we have to include 'live' evidence in our portfolio?

Submitting 'live' evidence means sending in photocopies of documents which have actually been used in your project and which are dated. Any confidential information should be blanked out. The examples should be as recent as possible and throughout the different sections of your portfolio, there should ideally be instances taken from a range of different volunteers, clients and members of staff. This proves that you are routinely using your forms and following the procedures you describe in your application form and also allows the assessor to see how you use your documentation in practice.
See an example of 'live' evidence.

Who will undertake the assessments?

BNS has nominated assessors, trained by the Mentoring and Befriending Foundation to perform this role. Assessors from the Mentoring and Befriending Foundation will also act as external validators to ensure that the standard is robust.

How long does APS accreditation last?

Projects are awarded APS for 3 years. Currently reaccreditation involves completing a form detailing any changes and developments and submitting supporting evidence. If the awarding body becomes aware of bad practice within an APS-awarded project, it has the right to withdraw its approved status.

I am running a mentoring project / my befriending project is based in England, who do I contact about APS?

Mentoring projects in Scotland should contact:

Scottish Mentoring Network
3rd Floor
Centrum Building
38 Queen Street
Glasgow
G1 3DX
Tel: 0141 225 8009
www.scottishmentoringnetwork.co.uk
info@scottishmentoringnetwork.co.uk

English mentoring and befriending projects should contact:

Mentoring and Befriending Foundation
First Floor
Charles House
Albert Street
Eccles
Manchester
M30 0PW
Tel: 0161 787 8600
www.mandbf.org.uk
info@mandbf.org.uk

My Scottish befriending project is not a member of BNS, can we still apply for APS?

Yes, just follow the procedure described on this website. However, we would strongly advise your project to join BNS as many of our good practice resources (including training, sample documentation etc) tie in very closely with the APS key principles.

Who should I contact about the Approved Provider Standard?

Martha Lester-Cribb
Quality Officer
45 Queensferry Street Lane
Edinburgh, EH3 4PF
Tel: 0131 225 6156
Fax: 0131 225 6290
quality@befriending.co.uk