Rehab’s training services delivered by National Learning Network have become the first in Ireland to earn the EQUASS Excellence Award. National Learning Network provides services in Athlone and Mullingar. National Learning Network offers over 40 different training programmes for people who are distanced from the labour market with some 5,000 students accessing courses around the country each year.
“This is a great achievement,” said Angela Kerins, chief executive of Rehab. “National Learning Network has received this award for its services nationally and the centres in Westmeath are widely regarded for the hugely successful outcomes for students. The assessments involved external audit and benchmarking with site visits by independent and qualified international assessors. These international assessors also interviewed people who use the services, staff members and managers, and gave immensely positive feedback on the quality of services which they found.”
EQUASS, or the European Quality in Social Services Excellence award, is a European quality award for organisations providing social services, and is used as a reference for social services legislation in several European countries. A number of European states, such as Norway, Germany, Portugal, Estonia, and Slovenia have adopted EQUASS as one of the approved standards for disability services.
Marie Kelly, director, National Learning Network said “We are delighted to receive the EQUASS Excellence Award, and to be the first organisation in Europe to receive this prestigious award for 100 per cent of our services, right across the country. This is an outstanding achievement for all of our staff and a testament to the quality of service provided by the organisation in over 50 locations across Ireland. We know that our services are second to none, because over 90 per cent of people who complete training with us progress on to jobs, further education, or employment, but this independent acknowledgement of excellence is an immense achievement, of which we are extremely proud. The international assessors were particularly struck by the courtesy and friendliness of the students and staff they encountered and the high levels of satisfaction among students.”
Jan Spooren, Manager of EQUASS, said “Rehab’s services are known throughout Europe for their quality and innovation. National Learning Network have been involved for many years in developing and promoting quality systems, and I am delighted that they have successfully participated in EQUASS. The standard involved in an EQUASS award is very high, and requires organisations to have extremely well-developed services, processes, and a focus on person-centred, quality services, and empowerment of both staff and service users. The scale of the assessment undertaken in Rehab’s services - across such a large number of sites - is a first in EQUASS history.”
Rehab is a leading non-governmental organisation which works towards a world where every person has the opportunity to achieve their potential. Over 3,500 Rehab staff members provide high-quality training and education, health and social care, and rehabilitation, employment, and commercial services in Ireland, England, Wales, Scotland, The Netherlands, and Poland. The people who currently use Rehab’s services include young people and adults with physical, sensory, and intellectual disabilities, people with mental health difficulties, people with autism, and people with an acquired brain injury. A range of essential services is also provided to older people, carers and others who are marginalised. Every year, more than 43,000 people and their families benefit from the supports provided by Rehab in almost 250 locations. For more information see www.rehab.ie
