London Youth Quality Assurance Programme

We are committed to supporting our members in delivering the highest standard of youth work across our capital. The Quality Mark is London Youth’s flagship Quality Assurance programme, and provides youth organisations with a badge of excellence that is recognised by local authorities and funders. There is also a financial incentive as your organisation can apply for a grant once you achieve it. 

quality mark

 

Quality Mark Levels

The Quality Mark has been developed specifically for organisations delivering youth work in London.  

There are three levels in our Quality Assurance programme: Bronze, Silver and Gold. Each level will assess your organisation against several criteria, including outcomes and aims for young people, safeguarding, diversity and inclusion, health and safety, partnerships, leadership and management. 

The Quality Marks must be completed in order, starting with the Bronze. Quality Marks are assessed separately and cannot be assessed at the same time. All three London Youth Quality Mark levels are valid for a total of three years. You must have a valid Quality Mark to move on to the next level. 

Bronze

It focuses on the policies and procedures that organisations need to have in place to ensure they operate legally and provide a safe environment for young people.

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Silver

It examines the quality of an organisation’s youth offer and the opportunities provided to young people. This includes training and support provided to staff and volunteers.

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Gold

It examines the impact of an organisation for those they serve. Organisations must evidence its commitment to improvement and how it involves young people in their organisational development. 

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Eligibility

In order to be eligible for the Quality Assurance programme, organisations will need to be:

  • A current member of London Youth (2023 – 2024 membership).
  • A youth organisation that delivers direct youth work to young people.
  • A registered organisation that delivers the majority of its direct youth work in London.

Note: Umbrella or multi-site organisations are not eligible to undertake the quality mark. However individual venues or clubs that are a part of those umbrella organisations can, but they must join London Youth as individual member first. Apply for membership here

If your organisation is an unincorporated community group – you are not eligible for the Quality Assurance programme. However, if you require support or guidance relating to your organisations development please email membership@londonyouth.org

 

Grants 

City Bridge Trust (CBT) and London Youth have a long-standing partnership that supports the Quality Assurance programme. Subject to funding, grants are available for London Youth members who complete Quality Marks. 

  • Bronze: Organisations that achieve this Quality Mark level for the first time can claim a £3,000 grant. 
  • Silver: Organisations that achieve this Quality Mark level for the first time can claim a £5,000 grant. 
  • Gold: Organisations that achieve this Quality Mark level for the first time can claim a £7,000 grant. 

Note: Organisations may claim only one of the three grants listed above upon completion of a Quality Mark. For example, if your organisation plans on undertaking the Silver or Gold Quality Mark, we recommend you do not claim the Bronze grant and wait to claim the larger amount once you complete a higher level Quality Mark.  

 

Additional Quality Mark Recertification grant  

Organisations that re-achieve either a Silver or Gold Quality Mark can claim an additional £3,000 award. 

 

Resource library 

Featuring on the Resource Library 

We encourage you to share and support another London Youth member in doing so – please get in touch if there are any useful links or resources you need from us, or would like to see featured. 

If you’re on your Quality Assurance journey and would be happy for us to feature one of your resources in our library, please reach out to QA Team. For any general enquiries about your membership, please email qualitymark@londonyouth.org  

Quality Assurance Programme: FAQs Feedback, Complaints and Appeals Policy

London Youth would like to thank City Bridge Trust and Manjeet Johal Associates for their support with our Quality Assurance programme.