Equipping Projects: Quality Improvement System
We know that the Christian community is quick to respond to the needs of children at risk, and in fact the size and scale of Christian work with vulnerable children is unparalleled. Yet how often do we see this response leading the way in terms of quality?
The Quality Improvement System (QIS) works to address this situation: it offers a realistic and interactive approach to capacity building. A training programme run in local networks, QIS helps to bring competence, excellence, and credibility to the Christian response to children at risk. International standards of quality are made accessible to even the smallest grassroots projects, and the local network setting means there is access to mentoring, peer learning, and a natural community of good practice that makes improvements more sustainable.
Training and biblical reflection combine with structured progress so that change really happens. The six QIS modules have been developed with reference to various international codes and standards providing principles and guidelines for quality organisations.
Those six modules are:
Project Planning and Design
Developed in collaboration with Consortium for Street Children, RETRAK, Oasis, Toybox, and with reference to Sphere standards and Tearfund.
Governance
Developed with reference to ‘Good Governance: A Code for the Voluntary and Community Sector’ by ACEVO, Charity Trustee Networks, ICSA, NCVO on behalf of the National Hub of Expertise in Governance.
Child Protection
Developed in collaboration with the Keeping Children Safe Coalition.
Child Wellbeing
Developed with reference to universal indicators of child welfare, the UNCRC, and the Child Status Index.
Financial Accountability
Developed in collaboration with MANGO (Management Accounting for Non Government Organisations).
People Care
Developed in collaboration with People in Aid.
QIS has been used effectively in many different countries, including Bolivia, Costa Rica, Uganda, South Africa, and India. Our results show that QIS is a sustainable way to develop a culture of organisational change and growth, with an emphasis on accountability and quality.