Quality Assurance

Investors in People (IIP) is a framework that empowers organisations like Age UK HBB to enhance productivity through people development. By setting standards for supporting, managing, and nurturing teams, achieving IIP accreditation showcases our commitment to fostering talent, driving excellence, and cultivating a vibrant workplace culture that enhances performance and engagement.

The Cyber Essentials scheme, supported by the UK government, is a cybersecurity certification program designed to help organisations like Age UK HHB defend against online threats. It emphasises basic cyber hygiene practices to mitigate risks and safeguard data and IT systems.

At Age UK, the Advice Quality Standard (AQS) serves as a hallmark of excellence for our advice services in social welfare law, demonstrating our commitment to accessibility, effective management, and the expertise of our staff in meeting the diverse needs of our clients. This dedication ensures that our services across Hillingdon, Harrow, Brent uphold high standards and integrity, providing reassurance to our clients that they can rely on us for well-managed, and expertly delivered support in navigating social welfare issues.

The Standard is awarded to members of the Age UK Network that have demonstrated they:

• Ensure people’s safety and wellbeing – both beneficiaries and colleagues.
• Value diversity and promote equity and inclusion.
• Safeguard people’s information and are clear about how it’s used.
• Encourage, listen to and act on feedback.
• Plan and review their services and activities strategically, making sure resources are used effectively to respond to local need.
• Value their colleagues, ensuring they have the right people with the right skills and support to deliver their plans.
• Anticipate and manage risk effectively to ensure they are resilient and responsive to change.

The Standard is externally assessed by industry leaders BSI who undertake a rigorous review of our working practice through interviews, observation, and review of our key documents and records.

• We acknowledge that the climate and nature crises have already and will continue to disproportionately affect certain groups, both in the UK and globally.
• We will work towards reducing our carbon emissions, strategizing and acting to support a transition that will help protect the communities and places we work with from further harm.
• Speak publicly and confidently about the climate, using personal and organisational communications platforms to support campaigns.
• Commit to sharing and learning alongside peers in the sector, taking time to review our actions and the changing situation and adapt collectively.
• Take practical steps within the organisation and networks to understand our emissions and how climate breakdown intersects with our mission and charitable objectives.