The Quality Assessment Framework (QAF) is designed to ensure that:
- clients are placed at the heart of service delivery.
- elements of quality control are embedded within service delivery, to ensure that defined standards are achieved and services are tailored to meet individual client’s needs.
- continuous improvement is achieved by improving processes, policies and systems in response to regular review and feedback, as well as achieving higher levels of standards identified within the QAF.
- evidence is generated and collated as a service progresses through the quality cycle, to demonstrate that improvement activity has taken place.
The Bradford Guidance of the QAF (2009) has been re-written for level C standards, and guidance has been included for levels B and A standards:
RBSPQ1 Bradford SP QAF (2009) Guidance Final Jan 2011
RBSPQ2 Self Assessment and Guidance Jan 2011
QAF Assessment Flowchart (219kb)
QAF Core Service Objectives (293kb)
QAF Supplementary Objectives (553kb)
Continuous Improvement and Evidence Collation
Some of the templates and examples listed below may prove useful for your own adaptation or from which to generate ideas:
Basic Quality Improvement Cycle
Sample Policy or Procedure Review Outcomes Summary
Sample Client Survey
Sample Client Complaints Survey
Sample Internal Audit Template (Peer or Manager)
Good Practice Guide: Case Study Evidence
A Case Study provides valuable evidence for the QAF, as it demonstrates to validation officers the valuable work which is undertaken by the service. Case studies complement submitted policies and procedures by evidencing the quality of policy implementation in practice.
- Case Studies are to be selected from current files or those closed within the last 12 months
- Sample size to be 10% of clients, with a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 10 (where services support over 100 clients)
- Additional Case Studies can be submitted if it is felt appropriate to meet specific standards
Case Studies to include:
- Brief narrative which summarises the client’s background and reason for referral, main areas of support and any standards which are being particularly show-cased in the Case Study.
- Copies of:
- Referral and Assessment documents completed on commencement of service;
- Risk Assessment and Risk Management plans;
- Support Plans;
- Reviews; and
where appropriate:
- Move On Planning
- End of Service Summary
- End of Service Client Feedback
- Additionally, current and closed files will be randomly sampled by Assessors during the Validation Visit.
Cross Reference tool useful when submitting Case Study evidence
When providers need to submit a number of Case Studies, the tracking table below may prove useful to act as a cross referencing tool, to ensure that all standards are comprehensively evidenced. This tool will also help with the validation assessment process, and therefore, if it is used, a copy submitted with the case studies would also be appreciated.
Case Study optional Cross Reference Grid
Case Study Front Sheet Summary useful when submitting Case Study evidence
Providers may find useful the optional Case Study Front Sheet Summary below, which indicates how much narrative is requested. It is designed to sit at the front of selected Case Study documents.
Case Study optional Front Sheet Summary
Further Feedback, Ideas, Best Practice or Comments?
We would like to hear from you, particularly if you have examples of innovative practice which you wish to share.
Please contact us at commissioninginbox@bradford.gov.uk
