Multi-site applications

• A single site is defined as a programme or project operating in a specific local area and using a single delivery structure.
• The provider is required to have completed a minimum of one full cycle of its mentoring or befriending service to demonstrate that all its procedures are in place.
• Single projects are required to submit an application for assessment
• Following the assessment visit, accreditation is awarded subject to the provider meeting all requirements of the 12 Elements of the standard.
• Accreditation is awarded to the mentoring and befriending project and not to the parent organisation.
• Accreditation is valid for a period of three years after which the provider will be invited to re-apply for APS status.

• Organisations providing mentoring or befriending services on a national or regional basis with multiple sites or franchises can choose to apply for “multi-site” accreditation.
• Such organisations will be required to submit a Working Towards registration form which lists all sites.
• When your sites are ready to be assessed you would request an application for assessment for all of the sites registered as ‘Working Towards’.
• The MBF will then visit a selected sample of local sites to validate their procedures against the organisation’s national or regional framework.  A report will be produced for which will be provided to the organisation’s national/regional management.  The report will confirm if the sites are operating in accordance with the APS requirements, highlight any relevant issues and identify areas of good practice.
• Accreditation will then be awarded to the individual projects covered by the organisation’s national or regional framework.
• New projects or sites that join the programme will have to complete a full cycle of mentoring or befriending activity before they become eligible for accreditation.

• Organisations which have developed a standard framework of mentoring or befriending service delivery and have established local projects to operate within this framework only are eligible.
• The mentoring or befriending service will focus on the same set of project aims and objectives and on the same client group at each location.
• Only local sites which have completed a minimum of one full operational cycle will be eligible for accreditation at the time of assessment.
• A management structure will be in place to supervise local activity and provide relevant information to the parent organisation. Some organisations may sub-contract local management of their service to partner agencies.
• Local management processes and operating procedures should conform to the national/regional framework.
• Local project staff should receive standard training and guidance from the parent organisation
• Standard procedures should be in place to cover client referral and preparation, volunteer recruitment, selection and screening, volunteer training and support, and monitoring and evaluation of the service.
• The assessment day itself will comprise of interviews with key staff members volunteer mentors/befrienders and where possible, service users. For most projects, your assessor will interview a representative sample of the project’s participants.
• During the assessment visit it is important that you can provide the supporting documents to evidence APS. This evidence must be ‘live’ where possible (i.e. completed rather than blank documentation), providing confirmation that the processes or procedures meet the requirements of APS. All of the information and evidence provided during the visit will be treated in confidence.
• If the sample assessment process indicates inconsistencies or significant variations within local management practice and procedures, the MBF has the right to extend its sampling process as required.
• The expectation is that any service user or volunteer mentor/befriender accessing this type of service would experience the same process at any local project operating within a national or regional framework.