Step 5: External validation
At this stage, a service provider should consolidate the development and implementation of their own quality management system, complete the previous four steps and undergo external assessment for their system.
In this step, service providers should engage a certification body and negotiate a date for their audit (or alternative assessment), along with an audit plan (for activities conducted within the audit), including service user sampling approach. Service providers should develop their service user sampling approach early on and provide them to potential certification bodies, so service providers can equally compare the quotes.
The audit team visits the service provider and assesses their quality management system using document review, interviews and observations. The service provider presents evidence of service user input into systems (refer to Step 2: Service user assessment section).
Once certified, annual maintenance visits are conducted by the audit team to assess ongoing improvements. Refer to information on post-implementation for more details.
For more information on Step 5, refer to Step 5 – External validation poster and Resource Kit 4 and the certification process site.
Last updated May 2008
Step 5 - Poster
Resource Kit 4