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About the matrix Standard

Case Study on Salisbury College - Student Services - click for full details

“The matrix Journey was truly the start of our recovery. It permeated through everything, how we marketed, how we managed the change process, how we thought about things. It kept us focused on the individual learner and everything flowed from there.”

Salisbury College - Student Services

 

 

Click here to see what other organisations have to say about the matrix Standard

Elements and criteria

The matrix Standard consists of eight elements, four focused on how you deliver your service and four focused on how you manage your service.

Delivering your service
1. People are made aware of the service and how to engage with it
Promotion ensures the accessibility of information about the service
Criteria
  1. The purpose, expected users and range of services are defined
  2. Promotional activities provide essential information about the nature of the service, and about the support available to access and use the service
  3. Information about the service is accessible to potential users
  4. Promotional activities take account of equality of opportunity
2. People's use of the service is defined and understood
Defining and understanding the service available and clarifying key policies and practices
Criteria
  1. People are offered a full description of what they can expect from the service
  2. People are made aware of the confidentiality and diversity policies as appropriate
  3. People are given the opportunity to explore the suitability of the service to meet their needs
  4. People's requirements in relation to the stated service are established
  5. People are signposted and/or referred to other relevant services where appropriate
3. People are provided with access to information and support in using it
Providing information in accessible forms and assisting people to use it
Criteria
  1. Information held or accessed by the organisation is sufficient for, and relevant to, the stated service
  2. Information provided to people is accurate, current and inclusive
  3. Information is managed and evaluated to ensure it remains relevant to the stated service
  4. People are supported in accessing, understanding and using information through resources appropriate to their needs
4. People are supported in exploring options and making choices
Providing information, advice and/or guidance to assist people to review choices
Criteria
  1. People have access to impartial and objective information, advice and/or guidance
  2. People are aware of the purpose and limitations of the information, advice and/or guidance available
  3. People understand and agree how the support process will be conducted
  4. Options and choices are presented to people in a manner which assists their understanding
  5. People have opportunities to consider and explore options and are given appropriate support and encouragement during the process
  6. People are able to make their own choices
Managing your service
5. Service delivery is planned and maintained
Defining measurable aims and objectives and setting up systems to deliver the service
Criteria
  1. The service has clearly defined measurable aims and objectives
  2. The service is given clear leadership and direction
  3. The views of those delivering the service inform service planning and delivery
  4. The internal management of the service ensures resources are appropriate and effectively used
  5. The service identifies and responds to relevant legislation, codes of practice and ethics
  6. There are defined policies and practices for service delivery, incorporating the principles established by the National IAG Board
  7. The service has established appropriate partnerships and networks
6. Staff competence and support they are given are sufficient to deliver the service
Maintaining and developing the competence of those delivering the service
Criteria
  1. Staff are given an induction into the service and their role within it
  2. The competence of staff is maintained and developed to meet service demands
  3. Staff recognise the boundaries of their role in relation to the service and seek appropriate support
  4. Training and support in the use of equipment is provided
  5. Supervision and support are provided to staff
  6. Staff can describe how they are involved in reviewing their performance and identifying their development needs linked to objectives
7. Feedback on the quality of the service is obtained
Obtaining feedback from users of the service, those involved in delivery of the service and other agencies
Criteria
  1. People are advised of who to contact with a compliment, complaint or suggestion and how these will be handled
  2. People are advised of how their views on the service can be fed back
  3. Organisations proactively seek the views of service users, staff and other agencies to regularly evaluate the quality of the service
  4. Formal and informal comments on the service are evaluated and acted upon as appropriate
8. Continuous quality improvement is ensured through monitoring, evaluation and action
Evaluating the effectiveness of the service and planning improvements
Criteria
  1. Effectiveness is regularly monitored and evaluated against the aims and objectives of the service
  2. Feedback ensures that the effectiveness of the service to individuals is being regularly monitored and evaluated to inform continuous improvement
  3. Appropriate action is taken to improve the service to individuals
  4. The service is continuously developed and improved