CAS Quality Standard
Celebrating over twenty years of supporting quality organisations
2005 – 2026
Achieve Excellence with the CAS Quality Standard
The CAS Quality Standard is designed by the Voluntary Community Faith and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) sector for the VCFSE sector. It is a pathway to robust policies and procedures, embedding strong safeguarding and governance supporting safe, well-run organisations.
Read on for the benefits, FAQ’s and for inspiring stories from organisations who have used the Quality Standard. Have a look at the digital CAS Quality Standards Brochure below. It is filled with information and inspiration.
If you are ready to start your journey towards quality and safety, we look forward to working with you.
Key benefits
✔ Continuous improvement. Enhance your organisation’s processes and improve outcomes.Gain valuable insights into how well you are leading and governing your organisation.
✔ Regulatory compliance. Ensure you are aware of and meeting legal and regulatory responsibilities, including safeguarding, health and safety, recruitment and governance. The Quality Standard includes the governance policies and procedures you need to complete your Charity Commission Annual Return
✔ Staff engagement. Create a culture of quality and safety.
✔ Prepare for growth. It includes the policies and procedures a Funder often expects a safe well-run organisation to have.
✔ Organisational efficiency. It provides a firm foundation of robust policies and procedures for your organisation to build upon.
✔ External quality assurance. Provides independent oversight, insights, challenge and reassurance your organisation. Support in achieving the Quality Standard is provided by CAS. The Quality Standard Awarding Panel includes Suffolk County Council and the Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership.
Need more information? Try our FAQ’s at the end of this page or contact: Jacqui Wilkinson
Training, Safeguarding and Quality Framework Development Officer
e: [email protected] Tel: 01473 345312
Quality Standards success stories
The Quality Standard is a trusted and valuable resource used by over 200 organisations in Suffolk, supporting them strengthen, build their confidence and embed effective practice across the organisation. Don’t just take our word for here’s what the people who use it say about it.
The power of the CAS Quality Standard? ‘We do believe we had literally saved this person’s life because the threat was so great ‘
How the CAS Quality Standard helps organisations navigate change and successfully grow. ‘It helped make an idea a reality’.
To read more inspiring stories from some of the organisations who have achieved the Quality Standard click here
FAQ’s
Yes, it is a proven and trusted resource used by over 180 voluntary sector organisations of all sizes, who have used the CAS Quality Standard to help them strengthen, build their confidence and embed effective practice across the organisation. But, don’t just take our word for here’s what groups say about it:
The Award is valid for three years and groups can maintain and renew their Award by re-engaging with the process by registering again.
It is £500. There are no hidden costs or VAT. It includes your secure personal online portal for up to 5 staff, a complete resource centre of sample policies, procedures and information. Dedicated support from a CAS Quality Standards staff member and three years accreditation of the Quality Standard Award from when it is achieved.
Organisations doing the Quality Standard have to be part of the CAS network.
Joining the Community Action Suffolk Network is free. You can sign up online here to become part of our vibrant network and access a wide range of specialist network newsletters and support including: Safeguarding, Training and Events, Funding and Governance, Volunteering and many more.
Organisations are expected to complete the Quality Standard within one year of starting. It can take a varying amount of time depending on your organisations circumstances but normally takes between three and nine months to complete.
Yes. The information in your online portfolio is stored securely and is only accessible to necessary Community Action Suffolk staff and the people from your organisation that you register to have access. The Quality Standards Panel members will only have access to the portfolio for the time needed to fulfil their tasks in relation to the Quality Standards Panel.
You can register up to 5 people from you organisation so you can all have access to your shared portfolio via laptop, computer or other mobile devices.
