EQUASS Assurance

Quality Assurance in Social Services (EQUASS Assurance)

EQUASS Assurance is a certification system for quality assurance and quality control in social services. It enables organisations which provide services in the social sector to engage in an external certification process at a European level by which they assure quality of their services to service users and other stakeholders. EQUASS Assurance is characterised by the 38 criteria based on the key values of the social sector. The criteria cover essential elements of a Quality Management System (QMS) applicable in social services. An internal audit is based on a questionnaire approach. The external audit is carried out by an independent and qualified auditor in a two days site visit.

EQUASS Assurance is customised for the social sector and offers a comprehensive approach based on quality criteria and performance indicators using a questionnaire for internal audit and external audit procedures. After sending the application form and the questionnaire for internal audit, a site visit is carried out. During this site visit, an auditor verifies the applicant’s evidence by reviewing documentation and interviews with staff, service users and other stakeholders. The results are reported in an audit report. An organisation which meets the EQUASS Assurance criteria will be certified for a two year period. The process is overseen by the Awarding Committee.

The EQUASS system is undergoing a comprehensive updating process. The new system will officially be launched in January 2012.

If you are interested in applying for EQUASS Assurance, please download the

EQUASS Assurance Registration Form

To assess your organisation's performance on EQUASS criteria, use the

online tool for EQUASS Assurance Self Assessment

Please click below for further information on EQUASS Assurance:

EQUASS Assurance certified organisations

EQUASS Assurance (SSGI) - Criteria 2012 - NEW

Criteria for EQUASS Assurance (VET)