Hillingdon Community Mediation uses PQASSO (Practical Quality Assurance System for Small Organisations) to continually review and develop its provision of a quality service and to help it  operate in an effective and efficient manner in all areas of its operation.

We review on a monthly basis our performance in the 12 Quality Areas used in PQASSO and look for evidence to support our assessment of which of the 3 levels of attainment within each Area we have reached.

Unlike many other quality assurance systems, PQASSO is a continuous, dynamic process of review making the 'badge' awarded in many systems to suggest an organisation has 'made it' seem a little superficial. In PQASSO there is always more that can be achieved, and it is acknowledged that on a day to day basis, situations and activities may arise which take us to a higher level within a Quality Area or may mean that we have to adjust our policies and practices to maintain that level.

If you wish to find out more about PQASSO we would recommend the Charities Evaluation Services website. www.ces-vol.org.uk 

We like PQASSO because it fits with our ethos of enabling people/ organisations to take responsibility for their own actions and development, and assumes that we have the willingness and capability to do so.

Just like in mediation.