Guide to certification

The core of the scheme is the standard - the key requirements for a quality information process. This provides the basis for the assessment of your organisation's information production system. Before you begin the certification process, it's a good idea to ensure you fully understand the standard's requirements. In this guide we will take you through each part of the standard and what your organisation should do to meet the requirements.  

When I first looked at the requirements, I believed the processes within the Trust already met the standard. However, when I sat down to compile the evidence I noticed that ther were areas where changes were needed in order to meet the standard. Having made the changes, I believe that the process that now exists is an improved one and I feel that the time spent was well worth it.
Katrina Brockbank
Salisbury NHS Foundation Trsut

To gain certification, you have to provide evidence that your organisation meets all the requirements of the standard.

 

To give you a quick idea of what will be expected of you, the criteria cover the following areas:

  • your commitment to the scheme and improving the quality of your information
  • how producing information relates to your main business
  • how you ensure that staff and volunteers know about the scheme
  • how you organise responsibility for producing information for the public
  • how the systems and methods you use to produce information demonstrate:

- your aims in producing information

- the key groups you are producing information for

- that your information is well-designed and easy to read

- that you make effective use of the relevant sources of information

- that you make any conflicts of interest clear to the reader

- that you have the skills and resources needed

- how you put all these principles into action in current materials

- how you respond to new proposals for information

- how you manage any external resources you use

- how you keep a record of materials produced and sources used

  • how you monitor your organisation’s performance to ensure that:

- you comply with the requirements of the standard

- information materials you produce meet the criteria specified

  • how you identify and correct any shortcomings relating to the standard