Approved Provider Standard

The Approved Provider Standard (APS) is a national benchmark for good practice. It is a national award supported by the Cabinet Office and Department for Education and Skills and aims to provide mentoring & befriending programmes with a badge of competence and safe practice in mentoring or befriending.

The national standard aims to improve quality and guarantee consistency of the work that goes on, in areas such as: business planning, health and personal safety, financial management, preparation, training and supervision of mentors, management structure, procedures for identification and referral of clients, monitoring and evaluation of mentoring/befriending delivery.

APS is an accepted benchmark by government departments and other funding bodies guaranteeing good standards and provides increased public confidence in mentoring / befriending programmes.

“Having assessed your evidence file and held a number of interviews with volunteers, external stakeholders and young people, I will say that the way you promote and celebrate your achievements, and the quality of your resources are among the best I have seen. Your commitment and enthusiasm is to be highly commended. Well done!”
Dian May, External Assessor, University of Derby