Information for projects currently ‘working towards’ the previous version of the APS
standard
APS review
The Approved Provider Standard (APS) has undergone a review which is now complete. APS has been revised to ensure that it
remains up-to-date and relevant to organisations that operate mentoring and befriending projects and services. Some details of the
changes can be found below.
The revised standard is now available to projects wanting to gain accreditation. It is also open to projects currently ‘working
towards’ the previous version of the standard who can choose to transfer to the new, revised version if they wish.
Overview of APS
The revised standard now comprises 10 requirements across 4 key areas supporting safe and effective practice in mentoring and
befriending, instead of the 12 elements previously (see table on page 2).
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Table: Revised APS
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Self-assessment process (formerly ‘working towards’)
In order to achieve APS, projects need to demonstrate that they meet the requirements of the standard and this is still done through
an assessment visit. However the self-assessment and development which projects undertake prior to requesting the visit has been
made easier through the introduction of a new combined and in-depth document ‘APS detailed guidance and self assessment tool’.
To assist projects to prepare for the assessment visit we have produced a new leaflet ‘Preparing for your on-site assessment visit’
and the ‘Assessment visit timetable template’.
The assessment visit and report
The report has been updated too, in order to reflect the revised standard and to include more emphasis on the effectiveness of
project processes. It will identify if the project has particular strengths and suggest areas for development.
Projects already ‘working towards’ the existing APS?
The table below indicates the deadlines and options available for those projects which are registered as ‘working towards’ within
the old APS accreditation process.
APS Category
Date
Which version of APS will you be
using?
Action
‘Working
Towards’ status
Working towards
expiry date is
before 19 August
2014
You will still use the old version but you
can choose to use the new version. If you
choose to swap to the new version please
email aps.assessment@mandbf.org to
receive the ‘APS detailed guidance and
self-assessment tool’
You should request for your assessment
to take place before your working towards
expiry date by returning the completed
old ‘APS Diagnostic Tool’ or the new
‘APS detailed guidance and selfassessment tool’ to
aps.assessment@mandbf.org
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‘Working
Towards’ status
Working towards
expiry date is after
19 August 2014
You will be using the new version*
*If you have already requested your
assessment please continue to use the
‘APS Diagnostic Tool’.
Please complete the new ‘APS detailed
guidance and self-assessment tool’
which will be sent to you by email. Please
complete this by your working towards
expiry date and return to
aps.assessment@mandbf.org
May 2014
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