Prometheus project
SHORT DESCRIPTION
1. Objectives:
The project addresses the various aspects of quality: the definition of quality (Quality framework
and criteria), measurement (indicators), assessment (processes, procedures for (self)assessment) and improvement of quality of Social Services of General Interest (SSGI)
(development of action plans for improvement of quality). The definition of ‘quality in social
services’ will be defined in a way that it will overcome legal, socio-economic and cultural
differences in the various EU countries.
The project applies a bottom-up approach which is driven by the various sectoral stakeholders
in the social field (service-users, service providers, funders, policy-makers, social partners) who
supervise / monitor the quality framework, the assessment procedures and a certification
process.
The project involves four EU countries in building capacity and piloting. The project partners
represent a balanced geographical and system-specific mix of EU countries. The project
ensures dissemination trough a direct coverage of all EU countries via the involvement of strong
European networks from various sectors with members all over Europe.
The project stimulates the role of social economy actors. Sector-specific quality principles and
criteria will formally recognise values such as innovation, addressing new needs in society and
the organization of person-centred community-based services.
2. Approach:
In order to meet the objectives, PROMETHEUS will carry out the following activities:
a. CEN workshop. The result of the CEN workshop will be a CEN Workshop Agreement
(CWA): an agreement between stakeholders about the definition of quality in SSGI and
criteria for measuring quality. Based on the CWA the core criteria will be validated and
operational quality indicators will be defined in order to make quality measurable and to
assess / to evaluate the performance social service providers. The CEN workshop
process will last until July 2009. (a more detailed description of the CEN Workshop is
added at the end of this document)
b. An approach on (Self)-Assessment for measuring performance of service providers on
the quality criteria.
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c. Processes, procedures and instruments for quality measurement and an implementation
strategy will be tested on pilot sites in 4 European Member States in various social
sectors: services for people with a disability, long term care for elderly people, child care
services and services for homeless people.
d. National Information Seminars will be organised in order to promote the CWA among the
social service providers and stakeholders. An International Conference on Quality
Assurance in SSGI will also be organised.
e. A implementation programme will be organised in the pilot sites on how to implement the
Quality Principles
f. International consultant training will built capacity for the pilot-sites in applying the
implementing strategy and an International auditor training will train auditors in
assessing the performance of the pilot sites
PROMETHEUS will put into place European and national networking platforms (stakeholder
committees) and create opportunities for stakeholders in the social sector to work together on
the development of the new tools and exchange information on Quality Assurance.
3. Expected results
a. European Quality Frame work (EQD) for SSGI: Quality principles and criteria for quality
assurance.
b. Operational performance indicators for measuring and benchmarking performance on
quality criteria in social services.
c. Evidence based and validated system (processes and procedures) of (self)-assessment
based on the European Quality Frame work for SSGI.
d. A network of relevant national and international bodies for an effective and sustainable
cooperation within and across countries.
e. Standardized Programme for national information and training seminars
f. A network of trained auditors who will be able to promote quality in the social sector,
advise social service providers and perform external audits.
g. Agreements will be signed with the national stakeholders to ensure the sustainability of
the project results.
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THE CEN WORKSHOP
A CEN1 workshop is seen as a meeting place for stakeholders to discuss critical standards
issues and agree how to resolve them. Any interested party can be involved with the minimum
bureaucratic formalities, low participation costs and no geographical restrictions.
The CEN Workshop (CEN/WS51) called Common Quality Framework for Social Services (CQF
for Social Services) will be carried out in the context of the Prometheus project. (EU programme
PROGRESS: VP 008/04). The workshop will be open to any interested party.
The CEN Workshop activities are aimed at achieving consensus in defining a European Quality
Framework and core criteria for quality assurance for Social Services of General Interest. The
consensus on the CEN Workshop Agreement will be achieved through consultation with
national and international stakeholders in the social sector during physical meetings or via the
internet. The draft document will be based on the input from existing written contributions of the
European Platform for Rehabilitation (EPR), The High Level Group on Disability, Platform of
European Social NGO’s, European Association of Service Providers for Persons with
Disabilities (EASPD), the European Union of Supported Employment (EUSE) and Inclusion
Europe.
The objectives of the CEN Workshop CEN WS 51 are:
a. to establish a European Quality Framework for Social Services of General Interest by
reviewing the core documentation concerning quality developed by key stakeholders
from the social sector and by reaching consensus on leading principles for quality.
b. to determine core criteria for quality assurance in social services of general interest
through a consultation process with international and national stakeholders.
c. a formal European recognition of the identified principles for quality and the core criteria
for quality assurance in social services of general interest.
d. dissemination of the European quality framework for social services of general interest,
its principles for quality and the core criteria for quality assurance in the social sector. It
is not the objective of the workshop to build up a quality management system for
implementation of the principles.
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The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) is a business facilitator in Europe, removing trade
barriers for European industry and consumers. Its mission is to foster the European economy in global
trading and promote the welfare of European citizens and the environment. Through its services it
provides a platform for the development of European Standards and other technical specifications.
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THE CEN WORKSHOP AGREEMENT (CWA)
A CEN Workshop Agreement (CWA) is a consensus document providing specifications,
guidance material, best practice and information etc. A CEN publication is widely available from
the 30 CEN member bodies, and sometimes online for downloading. Follow-up possibilities are
maintained as a CWA is valid for three years and can be later renewed, or transformed into
more formal European or International Standards.
In the CEN/WS 51 the CWA will be: a European Quality Framework for Social Services of
General Interest and core criteria for quality assurance in Social Services of General Interest
CEN WORKSHOP AGREEMENT: THE PROCESS
The CEN Workshop will be carried out in 5 steps:
1. Preparation
Description of the Business Plan describing the scope, objectives, costs and schedule.
The Business plan is available of the web site of CEN (www.cen.eu) for public comment.
The initiative of CEN Workshop must be published on the web site for 60 days.
2. Kick off meeting
At the Kick off meeting (CEN/WS51: 9 February 2009) the workshop starts by confirming
the Business Plan including the rules of the Workshop, the Chairman, and the
Secretariat. During the kick-off meeting the discussion among stakeholders about the
leading principles for quality and criteria for quality assurance in social services will be
launched. The results of the discussion will be drafted in a starting document.
3. Drafting
Trough using electronic tools (facilitated by CEN) the stakeholders who participated in
the workshop can put their public comment on the proposed draft documents.
4. Adoption
Through a process of consensus the documents will be adopted
5. The CEN workshop agreement
The final consensus document is considered as the result of the CEN workshop and
called the CEN Workshop Agreement (CWA). The CWA will be published by the CEN
National Members.
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HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CEN WORKSHOP?
Individuals can participate in the CEN workshop process by registration via the CEN web site.
http://www.cen.eu/cenorm/sectors/technicalcommitteesworkshops/workshops/ws51-quasose.asp
Registration should be done before the kick-off meeting (9 February 2009)
Participation is open for all individual who have interest in the outcome of the workshop. On the
CEN web site (www.cen.eu) you will find a description of the Business plan of the CEN
Workshop (CEN WS 51), the proposed chairman (incl. CV), vice-chairman and coordinator of
the workshop.
Participation of individuals is free of costs. There are three meetings planned in the workshop: 9
February 2009 (kick-off meeting), 23 April 2009 and 6 July 2009 (final meeting). The Business
plan (and the workshop work programme) will be approved at the kick-off meeting (9 February
2009). Partners of the Prometheus project and members of the EQUASS Core Group will
receive reimbursement of travel and accommodation for participating at the meeting.
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