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 Regent House, William Street, Kilkenny.
The 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 centre in Kilkenny is 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.”
EQUASS aims to enhance the personal services sector by engaging service providers around quality matters and by guaranteeing service users quality of services throughout Europe. The committee has strict procedures and criteria for awarding EQUASS certification with organisational leadership, along with stakeholder partnership, rights, ethics and results orientation, among other criteria feeding into a process of continuous improvement.
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 <http://www.rehab.ie.
