QUASAR booklet published: Quality Matters!

QUASAR booklet published: Quality Matters!

Publication of the QUASAR booklet with findings from research, systems analysis, consultations and recommendations

Following the QUASAR multiplier event held on 5 December 2023 in Brussels, a new booklet “QUALITY MATTERS: A look at quality models, needs and trends in VET and social services supporting people with disabilities” is now available for download. This publication summarizes observations, findings and conclusions from desk research, analysis of quality assurance systems, and stakeholder consultations across Europe.

QUASAR research explored a broad variety of papers, reports and publications published in the past three years on the topic of quality assurance and quality in services. They provided insights in the practice of quality assurance in Italy, Spain, Ireland and Scotland, in trends at national and European context, and in policy developments and initiatives at EU level.

QUASAR analysis delivered an overview for four quality assurance systems, including EFQM (European Foundation for Quality Management) and EQUASS (European Quality in Social Services), the national NEW DIRECTIONS developed by the Irish Health Service Executive, and the ISO 9001 standard for Quality Management System.

QUASAR consultations, the project’s most important activity with regards to collecting information on quality in services, invited a large number of service users and service workers, we call them professionals in the booklet, to share their views and opinions regarding services delivered. The data collected from surveys, interviews and focus groups also allowed detecting differences of opinion between service users and service workers.

Improving Quality of Life, sense of community, confidence building, rights based approach and continuous improvements are some of the many aspects highlighted by the participants in the consultations. Questions were also raised to what extent the consultations were using a language accessible for respondents, and to what degree questions were geared towards certain types of disability.

The focus groups presented ideas for future considerations regarding quality in services, including staff empowerment and knowledge, ways of approaching quality as an organization, Quality of Life as a principle, continuous improvements, practical, easy-to-understand and less burdensome quality systems, and a learning community for service providers.

The QUASAR recommendations conclude this publication, with recommendations for systems and policies on quality, recommendations for funders and regulators, and recommendations for the EU institutions.

Find out more about the QUASAR results in “QUALITY MATTERS: A look at quality models, needs and trends in VET and social services supporting people with disabilities” by clicking HERE.