In order to gain the award each setting submits a portfolio which details the activities they undertake to involve families in their child’s learning and the wider setting environment.
Registering with IIF
Schools and other settings that wish to gain the quality mark register with IIF, by completing a simple registration form, indicating the setting’s commitment to improving the work they do with families.
At this stage the setting will be contacted by an assessor who will work with the setting throughout the process.
Working towards accreditation
Once registered, the first step is to audit the work that the setting already does in working with families. As the audit is completed, the setting will identify key priorities for development: these could include improving current activities and introducing new activities.
The first part of the audit is to look at how family-friendly the setting appears to a family looking at the website, reading the brochure, visiting the school. The second part of the audit is to assess the setting’s strengths against each of the seven core aims and identify priorities for improvement.
Developing the work plan
Having identified the priorities for each core aim, the setting will decide which member(s) of their team will lead on each of the activities and what needs to be done.
Taking the work forward
As each activity is taken forward, the setting will keep a diary of the actions taken and the impact on family working. A simple form is used, which becomes part of the portfolio of evidence that is collated for the award.
Putting together the portfolio
Once the setting has completed the activities identified in its action plan, details of the activities are collated into a portfolio, which will include:
- Evidence from the website, improvement plan, brochure that the setting is family-friendly
- Evidence of the activities undertaken and the impact (which could include written evidence plus photographs, feedback from families, feedback from partner organisations
- An outline action plan for the next three years
Submitting the evidence
When the setting is ready, details of the activities are submitted to IIF. The activities will be reviewed by the assessor, who may contact the setting for further clarification or evidence.
The accreditation visit
After reviewing the portfolio, IIF will arrange for a trained assessor to visit the setting. In addition to reviewing the portfolio, the assessor will also meet with the head teacher, members of staff, governing body, partner agencies and parents and children and young people. (The range of people will vary according to the setting: this example is for a school). Accreditations in the foreseeable future will be virtually but will still need to involve all these people. How this will work will be discussed with you nearer the time.
The assessor will provide informal feedback to the setting at the end of the visit.
Completing the process
Following the visit, the assessor will complete the Assessor’s Report and submit it to IIF for quality assurance.
If the recommendation is that the setting has met the standard for the award, IIF will inform the setting and send the IIF certificate to the setting The school will then be able to use the IIF quality mark logo on its communications.
We suggest the setting organises a party!
Print off this document for easy reference to how the process works: IIF Process