Service evaluation is the core of our business. We can provide a range of solutions from a self managed customer evaluation system, through to independent evaluation and review. We can assist providers to enhance their internal systems in order to meet the requirements of regulators such as CSCI, Ofsted, Estyn, and CSSIW. Below is a sample of the solutions we offer:

1. The Ofsted/Estyn common inspection framework
2. Independent consultancy and advice
3. Regulation visits
4. RateUs - a completely self managed service evaluation system

1. The Ofsted/Estyn common inspection framework (CIF) All education and training inspectorates have introduced a new inspection framework. Education and training organisations are being inspected against the 'key questions'; others within early years education will be included in the near future. We provide advice and training to organisations about the new framework, and the implications for the organisation. We also carry out focused evaluations of the service in order to identify potentially problematic areas. Here are a sample of the ways in which we can help your managers and staff to be able to respond more effectively to inspection and obtain improved grades:

• Guidance with the development of your SAR (Self Assessment Report).
• Mock interviews with managers and staff in order to help individuals be better prepared for inspection and to feed into the SAR process
• Advice on how to 'manage' the inspection process
• Advice on how to write evaluative reports and other effective ways of wording the SAR.
• File reads in order to check key documents and make them more ready for inspection and scrutiny.
• Advice on internal systems of identifying, monitoring, analysing, reporting on, and responding to, key performance indicators (KPIs)
  

2. Independent consultancy and advice. We can review specific aspects of a service and provide an in-depth report based on the needs of the organisation. This can include the establishment of new services, and the requirements of registration.

As part of this service we specialise in a Regulatory Compliance Review, this identifies how well the organisation is able to respond to regulation and inspection. Most importantly we provide advice and propose solutions in order that the organisation can develop robust internal evaluation systems and processes.

We also have direct experience of partnership arrangements such as Young People's Partnerships (YPPs). We offer advice and training in order that partner organisations can develop and address key issues such as service audits and monitoring quality.

3. Regulation visits. Regulations under the Care Standards Act require that organisations monitor and review the quality of care within their service. We can provide a completely independent evaluation and reporting service in order that this requirement is implemented (only available in North Wales and NW England currently). We can also provide advice to an organisation on how to implement their own systems of evaluation and review (see 1 above)

4. RateUs - a completely self managed service evaluation system. RateUs allows customers to 'rate' how satisfied they are with 6 core aspects of the service. Individuals access an online (or hard copy) questionnaire, updating their views as often as they wish. The system is unique in that it provides a live measure of customer satisfaction, together with the option of benchmarking services and promoting them to the general public.

Another module within RateUs allows staff to rate the support they are receiving. Like the customer module, this provides a totally secure and confidential mechanism for ongoing staff feedback. It also allows management to benchmark across management centres, and identify training needs and other problems.

We also have a Flexible Survey Tool that allows for totally bespoke online surveys. We can also manage this process for you in order to ensure impartiality.

For more information go to rateus.co.uk.