Advocacy Focus achieves Quality Mark

Advocacy Focus has been awarded the Advocacy Quality Performance Mark (QPM) by the National Development Team for Inclusion (NDTi), recognising its commitment to delivering high quality independent advocacy and upholding the rights of the people it supports.

Independent advocacy plays a vital role in helping people understand their rights, explore their options and make sure their wishes, views and preferences are listened to. Advocacy Focus believes everyone deserves to be treated with dignity, have choice and control over their lives, and receive the support they need to make informed decisions.

The Advocacy QPM is the UK’s only independent quality performance mark for organisations providing independent advocacy. Achieving the mark involves a rigorous assessment process, including a review of policies and procedures, self-assessment and a structured site visit. During the visit, NDTi assessors met with advocates and the people they support to help assess the quality of the service being delivered.

The QPM process takes place every three years, giving advocacy providers the opportunity to review their services, reflect on feedback and demonstrate their ongoing commitment to quality. 

Leanne Hignett, services director at Advocacy Focus, said: "We are incredibly proud to have achieved QPM accreditation once again. This achievement reflects the dedication, compassion and professionalism of our entire team.

"Retaining this accreditation demonstrates our ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality advocacy that makes a meaningful difference to the people we support. We are always looking for ways to learn, improve and develop our services, and working alongside the people who access our support is an important part of that. Their experiences and feedback help us make sure our services continue to meet people's needs and uphold their rights."

Gail Petty, QPM manager and lead for advocacy and rights at NDTi, said: “The Advocacy Quality Performance Mark is only awarded to advocacy organisations who can demonstrate that they are providing excellent services to people often experiencing challenging situations in their lives. It indicates that they have the training and policies in place to ensure people’s rights are upheld and their preferences are heard and responded to.”

Originally developed by Action for Advocacy (A4A), the Department of Health commissioned NDTi to review and revise the QPM in 2014, working alongside advocacy providers, people who use services and commissioners. The assessment process was designed to be as straightforward as possible while maintaining the rigour needed to ensure high standards.

The mark is available to organisations providing independent advocacy in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Further information about the Advocacy Quality Performance Mark can be found at www.qualityadvocacy.org.uk