Liverpool YMCA

Present for Liverpool Supporting People Team: Susan Berryman (minutes), Ray Dixon, Sara Naylor, Christine Voutsinas, and Alan Ward.

Liverpool YMCA Darren Lyons CEO, Judith Mc Laine Support Services Manager QAF co-ordinator

Peter (volunteer) Vincent (member) Dean (mentor) Miro (member),Lynne Davey (volunteer) ,Barry (member), Thomas (member) Neil (member)
Melvin (mentor) Lynne Davey (volunteer), Mark(member) Julie Austin (staff),Dennis Joynson (mentor), Kevin Eccleston (staff), Andrew (member), Nicase Koffi (staff), Peter Boyle (staff) Nicase Koffi (staff), Hayley Hickman(staff), Joy Thomas (staff) Andy Hastie(staff)

Introduction

The YMCA gave an impressive presentation on the core standards for which they were aiming for grade A. Staff and service users gave the presentations. They used Power Point, handouts, drama, photographs and music to illustrate and evidence. Darren Lyons, Chief Executive introduced each core standard and then the service users and other staff participated in the presentation. They were available to answer questions. After the presentations which occupied the bulk of the day Sara Naylor and Alan Ward asked Darren (CEO) & Judith McLaine ( Support Services Manager) questions related to the core standard they were responsible for. On Friday 30th April, Alan Ward and Christine Voutsinas returned to look at support files, as well as interviewing support staff and service users.

The service has attained level B across all core standards save for Safeguarding adults. The child protection policy has yet to be assessed by the Safeguarding Board. Liverpool YMCA are claiming A on:

C1.1 Assessment and Support Planning assessed by Christine Voutsinas
C1.2 Security Health and Safety assessed by Sara Naylor
C1.4 Fair Access Diversity and Inclusion assessed by Alan Ward
C1.5 Client involvement and Empowerment assessed by Ray Dixon

The Communities and Local Government paper ‘using the Quality assessment Framework' (February 2009), states:

Levels A and B denote services that are either striving for excellence or are providing excellent services and are therefore innovative in their approaches to delivering services. When assessing compliance with level A and B standards therefore, it is acceptable to cite alternatives to the evidence examples where these genuinely demonstrate that the standards are being met by other means.

Level A means excellence and is associated with providers striving to be leaders in their field. In addition to meeting minimum standards and evidencing good practice, level A requires that the service:

• is flexible and responsive, and able to adapt the service to best meet clients' needs

• is a learning organisation that reflects on its work and uses this information to challenge its own performance

• Effectively engages clients and staff in this shared learning

• engages in partnership working at a strategic level to better meet the needs of clients, the service/organisation and commissioners

• demonstrates the achievement of shared outcomes as a result of effective partnership working

• demonstrates vision, leadership and creativity that influences practice beyond the boundaries of the service

To achieve level A on each core objective a provider will need to demonstrate that it is meeting all the above criteria. This is not an easy task.