Achieve The IAQF Wales Award Through Trusted Standard Accreditation

Edited by Roger Chapman, Head of Service at Trusted Standard

For organisations in Wales that provide information, advice or guidance (IAG) services, demonstrating quality, consistency and accountability is increasingly important. The Information and Advice Quality Framework for Wales (IAQF Wales) provides a recognised framework for organisations that want to show they meet nationally recognised standards for information and advice services.

Trusted Standard is an approved accrediting body for IAQF Wales. This means eligible organisations can achieve the IAQF Award alongside Trusted Standard Accreditation, through a single assessment process.

This approach provides public recognition of your organisation's commitment to quality through both IAQF and Trusted Standard. It also helps funders, service users and stakeholders identify organisations that deliver reliable, effective and continually improving information and advice services.

What Is IAQF Wales?

IAQF Wales is the Information and Advice Quality Framework for Wales. It is a quality framework that helps organisations demonstrate that their information and advice services meet recognised standards of governance, service delivery, staff competence and continuous improvement.

The framework is supported by the Welsh Government and is designed to help service users identify trusted providers of information and advice. Organisations that achieve the IAQF Award have demonstrated that they have appropriate systems, processes and quality controls in place to deliver effective services.

The Impact of Achieving Recognised Quality Standards

Achieving recognised quality standards can help organisations:

·       Strengthen stakeholder confidence.

·       Demonstrate accountability and good governance.

·       Support funding applications and commissioning opportunities.

·       Show a commitment to continuous improvement.

·       Increase trust among service users and partners.

For information and advice providers, the IAQF Wales Award provides an additional level of assurance that Welsh services meet recognised quality expectations.

How Trusted Standard Helps Organisations Achieve The IAQF Wales Award

Trusted Standard and IAQF Wales share significant alignment in both their assessment approach and quality requirements.

Both frameworks include:

·       Self-assessment against defined standards.

·       Independent external assessment.

·       Detailed assessment reporting.

·       Certification valid for three years.

·       Annual review discussions to support continuous improvement.

Trusted Standard Level 1 contains 91 indicators that closely align with the seven quality areas assessed by IAQF Wales. Because of this alignment, eligible organisations can work towards achieving both Trusted Standard Accreditation and the IAQF Award.

Additional IAQF Wales Requirements

To achieve the IAQF Award, organisations must demonstrate compliance with several requirements, including:

·       A public commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

·       Regular service reviews informed by stakeholder feedback.

·       Effective client data management systems.

·       Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) registration where applicable.

·       Policies covering conflicts of interest and professional conduct.

·       Staff supervision, training, safeguarding and wellbeing support.

·       Evidence of contributing to the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 goals.

 

IAQF Wales places particular emphasis on documented policies and operational procedures. Organisations should be able to demonstrate:

·       Safeguarding policies for children, young people and adults.

·       Complaints and service user redress procedures.

·       Authority and case management processes.

·       A Welsh Language Progress Plan.

·       Arrangements that support access to services in Welsh.

·       Consideration of Welsh language needs in service planning and delivery.

Trusted Standard and IAQF Wales in Practice

Progress Cymru Counselling provides a practical example of how organisations can benefit from achieving both Trusted Standard Accreditation and the IAQF Wales award. As a counselling service operating in Wales, the organisation demonstrated its commitment to high-quality service delivery, governance and continuous improvement.

By gaining recognition through both frameworks, Progress Cymru Counselling strengthened its ability to demonstrate quality to stakeholders.

Benefits of Achieving the IAQF Award through Trusted Standard Accreditation

Organisations that achieve both Trusted Standard Accreditation and The IAQF Wales Award can benefit from:

·       One assessment process

·       Independent verification of service quality.

·       Increased credibility with funders and stakeholders.

·       Stronger governance and continuous improvement practices.

·       Greater confidence for service users seeking trustworthy information and advice.

 

Find Out More

Book a free one-to-one session with our team to discuss your organisation, understand the assessment process and explore the next steps towards achieving both Trusted Standard Accreditation and the IAQF Wales Award