What is PQASSO?

PQASSO is a 'quality assurance' system that involves working systematically through 12 areas of running an organisation - such as governance, user involvement, finance, volunteering - and deciding how well you meet various criteria.

You then make an action plan for updating any policies or practices that will help you run your organisation more effectively.

Once you have completed these actions, you can say that you have achieved PQASSO at level 1, level 2 or level 3.

Who is PQASSO aimed at?

PQASSO is designed for small to medium voluntary organisations.

How will it benefit us?

Many organisations that have worked through PQASSO have found that it gave them a framework to make positive changes in their organisation.

Many funders (such as local councils) are requiring evidence of a quality assurance system as a condition of funding.

How much will it cost?

£98 (plus p+p) for the workbook - you must buy this directly from Charities Evaluation Services.

If you would like to join the KCSC PQASSO programme we ask for a £200 deposit. 

You will also have the cost of your own internal resources, such as staff time, to work through the process.

What can the Social Council offer?

Our PQASSO support programme which includes 1:1 support from a Social Council advisor and supporting documents that are exclusive to this programme.
We can provide you with useful model documents and policies, and support to make changes that will help to improve your organisation.

On completion of the programme we will award you a certificate to say that you have worked through the programme with support from the Social Council.

Will we get a quality mark?

PQASSO is a 'self-assessment' tool and can be used with or without obtaining a 'quality mark'.

The Social Council programme does not give you a quality mark. To gain a quality mark you need to be assessed by a 'Peer Reviewer', members of the voluntary and community sector who are trained to carry out reviews of organisations against PQASSO. However there is a cost for this service. For more details visit the Charities Evaluation Services website.

What shall we do next?

Contact: Charities Evaluation Services, buy the workbook.
Email: info@kcsc.org.uk to find out about signing up for the Social Council programme and we will suggest some things that you can start doing now to prepare.