FOR Youth March Accreditation Panel

Our FOR Youth Accreditation Panel met in March to assess the status and progress of the Foyers committed to our quality assurance journey. Congratulations to the services who achieved a positive result!

The Panel awarded endorsed status to Foyer for the Island and recertificated YMCA Derbyshire, bringing our total number of endorsed or certificated Foyer members to 20.

Foyer for the Island is owned by Sovereign housing association and offers a 45-bed project on the Isle of Wight. The Foyer was endorsed as operationally secure and strategically strong. The Panel was impressed with the range of innovation at the service and the strong elements in place for the Foyer to flourish, including a seven-year contract. The Assessor noted how well the Foyer had embraced the Accreditation process to put in place an Advantaged Thinking culture, and the dedication shown by the staff team to progress Accreditation over the pandemic period.

YMCA Derbyshire’s recertification highlighted best practice in the service’s response to the pandemic.  The Assessor’s report noted how “Making use of a £15,000 emergency grant from Paul Hamlyn Foundation, the Foyer was able to purchase 25 tablets and 10 mobile hotspots for residents, enabling it to support young people’s access to learning provision and online opportunities over the period.  The staff team also maximised use of the building space and external environment to continue to offer daily activity sessions and social connection.”

The next Accreditation Panel is held at the end of July, which will consider new endorsement reports and certification/recertification reviews.