FAQ's: General
What is the QM?
The Quality Mark (QM) was launched in July 2002, as a joint initiative between the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) 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 operationaly trading for more than 12 months and provide supply teachers in England 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 : It will provide both assurance and official recognition that the highest standards of recruitment practice are being adhered to. As a recognized accreditation it will allow you to bid for business where the QM forms part of the selection criteria (the recent Government Office for London tender is an example).
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.
How has the Quality Mark changed?
Phase I of the QM ended in December 2004 and the launch of Phase II has given us the opportunity to review the way in which we assess QM applications. The QM has evolved to meet both legal obligations and best practice and will continue to do so. The key changes are as follows;
- Introduction of a re-assessment audit for QM holders who have had the award for two years.
- Introduction of an assessment audit prior to awarding applicants the QM
- Revised standard detailing an agency’s/LEA’s responsibility in recruiting overseas teachers and to reflect the Commonwealth Protocol Agreement
- Additional standard regarding the use of Limited Company Contractors
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 are required to help agencies/LEAs achieve full compliance. We are happy to offer advice and guidance throughout the assessment process.
Consultancy Service
REC now offer, 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. Click here for FAQs.
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.
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 LEA operate on a day to day basis.
If adopting new procedures, agencies are expected to trial these systems for at least three months 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 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 the better.
Why introduce an assessment audit as part of the application process?
The second phase of the QM (QM) has given us the opportunity to review the way in which we manage the scheme.
A number of QM holders and applicants who completed a DfES questionnaire in November 2003 felt that an audit assessment would be appropriate for both applicants and as part of the re-assessment process (which takes place every two years), as it will:
- offer additional assurance that the highest standards of recruitment and selection are being maintained
- identify agencies who deviate from their documented procedures
- assist in identifying agencies who provided inaccurate information in their original application and have consistently failed to meet QM standards
Will there be a charge?
A charge of £250 plus VAT and expenses will be payable to cover the cost of each assessment visit. Payment of £250 plus VAT should be sent with your application. 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 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.
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.
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. A letter will be issued within 2-4 weeks of the assessment confirming the outcome.
Successful. If all standards are fully met you will receive a letter confirming the award of the QM, conditional upon signing a pledge. Any guidance or recommendations offered will mostly describe enhancements to existing procedures or address issues of a more routine nature.
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; 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 duration of the suspension will be dependant on the severity of deviation. It is possible that a further assessment will be required to ensure standards are being fully met and the cost of this additional visit will be met by the applicant.
