An Introduction to PQASSO (1 day)

What is it?

PQASSO is a straightforward, user-friendly quality assurance system intended to help you run your organisation more effectively and efficiently. It offers a flexible approach to quality which allows your organisation to work at its own pace. It helps you take a systematic look at what you do, identify areas where you are doing well and no so well, and decide exactly where improvements are needed.

PQASSO is the most popular system with over 13000 copies already sold across the UK. We know from previous participants that some funders and commissioning bodies are already stating that working through a QA system, such as PQASSO, is desirable and in some cases a requirement for future funding and contracts.

Overall aim

To ensure that participants have the basic knowledge and skills required to implement PQASSO through self-assessment within their organisations.

Specific aims

By the end of the one day workshop participants will have:

• developed their understanding of PQASSO and the self-assessment process
• considered the necessary steps for the successful implementation of PQASSO within their organisations
• discussed the roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders and considered ways of getting them involved in the process
• identified the key elements to be included in the planning process for implementing PQASSO within their organisation
• a better understanding of the new PQASSO Quality Mark service currently being developed and piloted in England.

Why is it useful?

Course summary

This introductory course is designed to give you an overview of PQASSO. It summarises other services available to help you implement PQASSO and introduces the new PQASSO Quality Mark service. If you are taking the lead in quality, we would recommend the two-day “Implementing PQASSO” course.

Who is this suitable for?

You will benefit most from this course if you want to gain a basic overview of how to implement PQASSO through self-assessment in your organisation*. It would be of particular relevance for Trustees and Senior Managers.

* (Please note that whilst this course provides an overview of the PQASSO Quality Mark service, it is not a course in how to prepare for a PQASSO Quality Mark peer review.)

When is this available?

This course was designed by the Charities Evaluation Service (CES) and can only be delivered by a CES licensed Mentor. The Course Tutor is a licensed PQASSO Mentor and Quality Mark Peer Reviewer for CES with over 20 years experience in the voluntary sector.

It is delivered by Funding Ideas Ltd in partnership with a number of voluntary sector partners around the UK. Each partner organisation has their own schedule of courses usually a rolling programme where courses are offered every 3 months.

If you would like us to run this workshop specifically for your organisation please contact us for further details.

How much does this cost?

The cost of the course varies slightly depending on the voluntary sector partner we are working with to host the training course.

This one day workshop typically costs around £80 per delegate.

We endeavour to keep costs to a very reasonable level and hence ensure that all types of voluntary organisation including smaller charities are able to access our training courses.

How can I find out more about this product or service?

For further information please contact us directly by email or by phone. We look forward to talking to you and discussing your needs.