FAQ's-General
What is the QM?
The Quality Mark (QM) was launched in September 2007, as a joint initiative between the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) and Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) to help drive up standards for everyone in the sector. The QM sets minimum standards for agencies and LEAs to reach in areas such as the way they recruit and interview supply teachers the way they check and manage their performance and how they stay at the forefront of changes in the teaching sector.
Who can apply?
Employment Businesses and LEAs who have been operationally trading for more than 12 months and provide temporary supply teachers in Wales are eligible to apply. Where an LEA and an agency is operating in partnership, each partner will be assessed against the standards and criteria relevant to them.
What are the benefits of the QM?
Agencies/LEAs
It will provide both assurance and official recognition that the highest standards of recruitment practice are being adhered to. It will allow your client schools to identify agencies/LEAs who have been accredited and assessed and are performing in accordance with best practice.
Schools
It will give increased confidence to schools, parents and pupils that staff supplied by QM holders have gone through a rigorous selection process that encompasses the relevant checks and correct recruitment procedures. It also offers assurance that legal obligations have been met as well as the provision of access to CPD for all teachers.
Teachers
Teachers will be confident that they have selected an accredited and reputable service that will add value to their experience as supply teachers. It was also offer assurance that all legal obligations have been met as well as the provision of access to CPD for all teachers.
What should we include in our application?
It is important that you read the following documents as they detail the kind of information that we expect to see in support of your application.
- Welsh Assembly Government QM brochure
- REC guidance notes
If you would like to talk through the application process please contact Nigel Williams on 07919 215735 or email nigel.willliams@rec.uk.com
How should we present our application?
It is purely a matter of choice. The majority of applications are submitted in ring binders and each standard is sectioned off and addressed individually. As a number of standards are closely linked it is likely that there will be repetition.
Can we use a third party to prepare our application?
A few agencies choose to use a third party to compile their QM application. Where it is evident that standardised documentation has been used we do seek additional assurance that the documentation submitted is a demonstrable reflection of current working practices and forms part of existing procedures and the way the agency or LA operate on a day to day basis. We do not endorse the use of any external consultants.
If adopting new procedures, agencies are expected to trial these systems to ensure they are both workable and compatible with existing processes. If falsified or inaccurate information is submitted, REC reserve the right to suspend an application.
How much help can we expect from REC?
Deciding to proceed with your application can be a challenge in itself. It requires both determination and patience and a full understanding of what is required of the QM assessment process. It can be quite a complex process and REC is required to help agencies/LEAs achieve full compliance. We are happy to offer advice and guidance throughout the assessment process. The QM Assessor Wales will be working Monday and Tuesday: if you have an general enquiries outside of this time you can contact Angie Nicholls or Andrea P on 020 7009 2129.
Consultancy Service
REC now offers, as a paid service, an extensive consultancy service. This is offered prior to the submission of an application and is designed to assist agencies and LEAs in meeting the required standards. Please see www.rec.uk.com/qualitymarkWales for further information.
How much does it cost?
A charge of £350 plus VAT and expenses will be payable to cover the cost of each application. Payment of £350 plus VAT should be sent with your application; expenses will be invoiced once the assessment visit is complete. Agencies operating from more than one branch will be advised of the additional costs involved, if any, at the commencement of the assessment process.
How long will the application process take?
This will depend on the level of detail that you provide at the outset. To ensure compliance with each standard there is a rigorous inspection process in place, supported by detailed exception reporting to applicants. REC require a high level of detail and understanding of the operation in order to be sufficiently certain that the written evidence that has been provided is compliant with the required standards. So the more detail and supporting documentation that you provide, at the outset, the better.
At what stage will the assessment visit take place?
The assessment will take place at the final stage of the process once we are in receipt of your completed application. By completed application we mean everything that REC need in order to assess an application in its entirety and the provision of this information can take from 3 months to 2 years depending of the level of time that an applicant can invest. By carrying out an assessment at this stage it will offer additional assurance that the submitted application and agreed amendments are being applied and that staff are fully aware of their responsibilities. It will also assist in identifying agencies who provided inaccurate information in their original application and have consistently failed to meet QM standards.
How long will the assessment visit take?
One day will be sufficient for each branch. We will already be fully familiar with an agencies/LEAs application and the visit will allow the assessor to concentrate on file sampling and gathering evidence that demonstrates compliance, or otherwise.
What will the assessment involve?
We will already be fully familiar with all agencies/LEAs application and the visit will allow the assessor to concentrate on file sampling and gathering evidence that demonstrates compliance, or otherwise.
File sampling is a key area of the assessment process and this will provide evidence of adherence to submitted policies and procedures and subsequently the QM standards. During the sampling the assessor will need access to both your database and written records along with a list of supply teachers that have worked via your agency/LEAs within the last twelve months. Please note that the assessors have a wide and varied knowledge of database applications and you can be confidence that after an initial introduction to your system, they will be able to locate relevant information without continual assistance.
During the course of the assessment issues will be discussed as and when they arise with the staff concerned. Either during the assessment or at the end, whichever is preferable, the assessor will advise you of any issues along with recommendations for corrective action or improvement to existing systems. It will
also give you an opportunity to research the findings and to obtain comments or confirmation on matters of factual accuracy.
What will happen after the assessment visit?
To arrive at an overall opinion the assessors will take into account the degree to which systems and procedures comply with QM standards and reflect the application. It is likely that you will be advised of the outcome at the end of the visit
Successful
If all standards are fully met you will be congratulated on the day. You will then receive a letter confirming the award of the QM, conditional upon signing a pledge. Once the pledge has been signed, returned and received by us you will become official QM holders and will receive a certificate, a CD Rom of the logo and you name will be added to our website.
Any guidance or recommendations offered will mostly describe enhancements to existing procedures or address issues of a more routine nature. It is possible that we will need to make a follow up appointment to see you and this will offer us additional assurance that procedures are being adhered to.
Unsuccessful
Where operational practices do not reflect your documented processes, the severity of non-compliance will be reviewed and REC will either: -
Make recommendations, supported by guidance, an action plan and a timescale to assist in reaching compliance. It is expected that most recommendations relating to key issues should be implemented within 2 weeks; it is possible that a further assessment will be required to ensure that agreed amendments have been implemented.
Or
Suspend an application to give an agency time to fully adopt documented procedures and to assess the impact of these on day-to-day basis to ensure they are workable. The length of suspension will be dependant on the severity of non compliance
Where do I send my application?
You will need to send two copies of your application to
Quality Mark Team, REC
PO Box 263
BridgendBrid
CF31 9GD
