Quality Awards

Learn more about "Quality in Befriending", including how to apply:

Quality Awards

Quality in Befriending

BNS has now launched a new quality award for befriending projects called: 'Quality in Befriending' (QiB). The standards outlined in the new award link closely to the BNS Befriending Code of Practice and and to the credit-rated Vital Skills in Befriending training course. Quality in Befriending is part of the Accreditation Providers Forum.

Projects can achieve QiB at one of two levels:

  • Quality in Befriending Award (ie, they have demonstrated Safe & Competent Practice)
  • Quality in Befriending Excellence (ie, they have demonstrated Good Practice)

QiB was developed by BNS with input from:

  • Charities Evaluation Services (originators of PQASSO)
  • the Accreditation Providers Forum (England)
  • a reference group of quality award providers and assessors
  • a pilot group of 13 diverse befriending projects

BNS has made sure that funders are aware of QiB as a new award in the sector.

Scope:

QiB will assess the core work of befriending projects and does not aim to assess the wider organisation. The Practice Areas covered by QiB will be:

  1. client referrals, assessments and waiting lists
  2. volunteer recruitment, assessment and selection
  3. volunteer training
  4. matching
  5. reviews and ongoing support for clients and befrienders
  6. endings
  7. risk management and safety
  8. project resources
  9. monitoring & evaluation, and implementing change

How to Apply:

All aspects of QiB (including support and assessment) will be free for BNS members. Projects will be required to register for the award by completing an 'Aiming for Quality in Befriending Project' Registration Form and will then have nine months to apply. Please also view the Eligibility Checklist

Once their eligibility has been confirmed, projects receive a QiB application folder and have nine months to submit their application (which comprises a short application form and a portfolio of 'live' evidence).

Multiple Project Applications:

In some instances it is possible for an organisation to submit a combined application for more than one befriending project. More information is available in the 'Information for Projects' document.

In order to request permission for a multiple project application, each project which the organisation wants to include in the application must complete a copy of the 'Aiming for Quality in Befriending Project Registration Form' and the organisation must also complete the 'Aiming for Quality in Befriending Multiple Project Registration Form'.

Assessment:

Applications are assessed by the BNS Quality Officer, with a proportion of applications being externally verified. The award has two levels, with projects being assessed as having either 'Safe and Competent Practice' or 'Good Practice' across each of the nine Practice Areas. Projects must achieve at least 'Safe and Competent Practice' in all nine Practice Areas in order to achieve the 'Quality in Befriending Award'. Projects which achieve 'Good Practice' throughout all nine Practice Areas are awarded the higher level of 'Quality in Befriending Excellence'.

Outcomes for Projects:

Successful projects receive:

  • an 'Award' or 'Excellence' certificate
  • an award letter with notification of the level achieved in each Practice Area
  • a detailed feedback document
  • the 'Award' or 'Excellence' QiB logo to use on their project materials
  • a listing in the Quality Database on this website
  • the 'Award' or 'Excellence' QiB banner above their entry in the Befriending Directory

Projects that have achieved QiB are required to complete a short annual monitoring form and need to submit an updated application every 3 years in order to maintain the award.

More Information:

To find out more about Quality in Befriending, please read the 'Information for Projects' document. BNS will also host at least one QiB Information Event each year. If you have any questions which are not covered by the Information for Projects document please e-mail the BNS Quality Officer, Martha Lester-Cribb at quality@befriending.co.uk.

Downloads:

The Approved Provider Standard (APS)

Until July 2010, BNS administered APS for befriending projects in Scotland. This is a quality standard developed by the Mentoring and Befriending Foundation in England. APS awards held by befriending projects in Scotland will continue to be valid until their expiry date (3 years after the date of accreditation). See the list of current Approved Providers.