Theme 4 - Demonstrating professional quality standards
Introduction
Service commissioners, funders, local authorities and other partners are increasingly demanding evidence of high quality services and systems. Quality standards can also help organisations to get ready for contracting or for securing loan finance. New models are evolving to meet these requirements including the Social Enterprise Mark and the CTA’s new Quality Mark. What do you need to do to achieve the standards set out in these models? Delegates attending the sessions in this theme will explore this issue in detail and learn how to develop policies and procedures to meet the standards required to achieve the CTA Quality Mark.
Session 4A – Introduction to quality systems
Tuesday 15 March, 10:00 to 10:45
In this session we will look at what quality systems are and why they are increasing in importance. BSI, ISO, Social Enterprise Mark, the CTA Quality Mark, the Merlin Standard and others exist, but which suits your needs best? We will look at a number of these quality systems and consider their relevance to community transport and how public service commissioners are increasingly relying on them in their tender processes. We will highlight some of the benefits of quality systems and consider how they can be used to improve performance and to win contracts .
Session 4B – CTA Quality Mark requirements and how to meet them
Tuesday 15 March, 11:15 to 12:00
Within this session we will look at why the CTA Quality Mark was originally developed and the benefits of achieving it. The CTA Quality Mark Standards cover two levels of award.
- Level 1 will be available to all CTA members irrespective of their legal status. At Level 1 candidate organisations are required to compile a portfolio of evidence for assessment. At Level 2 organisations will need to be independent charities registered in England and Wales.
- Level 2 is split into two components. The first component again requires an organisation to compile a portfolio of evidence for assessment and the second component involves an assessor visiting the organisation’s premises.
In this session we will look in some detail at the Standards, how to go about meeting them and the many benefits that will accrue from successful attainment of the CTA Quality Mark.
Session 4C – Statutory agency requirements for the CTA Quality Mark
Tuesday 15 March, 12:45 to 13:30
In this session we will look at what statutory agencies such as VOSA and the Charity Commission expect from quality standards. We will talk about how the CTA and other organisations have developed their quality standards in conjunction with these agencies and look at how adopting them can strengthen both your delivery of service and your opportunities to win public service contracts.
Session 4D – International approaches to ensuring high quality
Tuesday 15 March, 14:15 to 15:00
In this session we will try to learn the lessons from different approaches used to ensure high quality. Is this achieved by statutory or municipal control, or is it better to let the market find its own level within a broad but loose framework? How do community transport organisations ensure high quality standards and who is responsible for administering and monitoring them? This session will take a wider look at these and other issues that could inform and improve your systems.
Session 4E – How to develop the policies and procedures
Tuesday 15 March, 15:30 to 16:15
The CTA has a long history of developing practical and useful polices and procedures for third sector transport operators through its Advice and Consultancy teams. In the session will look at some of these and how community transport organisations can adopt them as part of moving towards achieving a professional quality standard. We will cover all the key management and operational topics that need to be covered by appropriate policies and how these should be prioritised. This session will be invaluable to delegates seeking to achieve the CTA Quality Mark.
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