A new partnership designed to assess quality across the Age UK network, in order to ensure the safety and well-being of older people, has been agreed by BSI and Age UK.
Business standards and improvement company BSI will support the leading charity for older people with the delivery of quality assessment services, providing an external quality assessment programme for organizations that use the name ‘Age UK’ against the Age UK Network Charity Quality Standard (CQS). Previously, this had been conducted by a different assessment company.
With a rapidly ageing society in the UK, the services and support the Age UK network provides to older people is incredibly important. This also comes at a time when a reported nine in 10 charities face increased demand[1], meaning it has never been more crucial to ensure that a consistent level of quality is offered across the country.
The Age UK network includes 118 Local Age UK Partners, as well as four National Partners – Age UK, Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age Northern Ireland. While all organizations that are part of the Age UK network are independent charities with their own funding, governance and management arrangements in place, they are all required to meet an agreed set of quality expectations which are outlined in the Age UK Network Quality Assurance Framework.
The CQS is one of several quality standards within the Quality Assurance Framework, which is designed to help charities operate more effectively and efficiently. The standard covers 13 quality areas including governance, managing people, managing money and safeguarding. It also focuses on ensuring that each member of the Age UK Network is legally compliant and practices effective risk management to ensure quality and consistency, alignment with strategy, and the effective use of resources in the provision of services to ensure the well-being and safety of older people.
BSI has designed the assessment programme to ensure that all members of the Age UK Network meet the requirements of the CQS. The initial programme will commence from April 2025 for three years with BSI.
Simon Healey, UK&I Operations and System Certification Director, BSI said: “BSI is delighted to be partnering with Age UK, a fellow purpose driven organization, on this important initiative, which aims to help make a positive impact on society. As an organization committed to driving quality and ensuring positive outcomes, we are proud to be running an assessment program that will support Age UK in its mission to improve the lives of older people across the country. We look forward to working closely with the team to help them achieve their goals and continue their vital work in the community.”
Victoria MacGregor, Chief Network Officer at Age UK, said: “We are thrilled to be working with BSI to deliver our Charity Quality Standard assessment programme. We consulted with our Partners to select the new assessment provider and were all impressed by BSI’s partnership approach in which they work with their clients to have a positive impact and offer solutions that enhance continual improvement and meet best practice.
“We are also pleased that the BSI ‘mark’ will provide external recognition and demonstrate that we take quality seriously through our standard now being assessed by these external experts.”
