NAVCA Quality Accreditations

NAVCA provides nationally recognised, comprehensive and independently assessed quality accreditation services for organisations providing local VCSE infrastructure and volunteer centres functions - the Local Infrastructure Quality Accreditation (LIQA) and the Volunteer Centre Quality Accreditation (VCQA). 

 “The VCS Emergencies Partnership is delighted to endorse NAVCA’s Local Infrastructure Quality Accreditation and the Volunteer Centre Quality Accreditation.  These are key tools to showcase the quality of local voluntary and community sector infrastructure and volunteer centres, and to increase connections, raise understanding and encourage close working with partners across the voluntary and statutory sectors.” 

Robyn Knox, Director, VCS Emergencies Partnership

“Working our way through the submission has helped us to take pride in the areas where our strengths lie and given us the opportunity to focus on development areas.''

Jane Holdsworth, Area Manager, Warwickshire Community and Voluntary Action.

''I am delighted that Lincolnshire CVS has achieved VCQA, I have no doubt that the strengths and insight set out in the assessment report will be our guide for future improvement.  Our strategy and planning will build on this in the three-year period before re-accreditation, and I look forward to learning from others who not only met but exceeded the requirements.''

David Fannin, Chief Executive Officer, Lincolnshire CVS. 

''[Achieving the VCQA will bring] reassurance that we are a trusted organisation for volunteering, we have been independently assessed and our good practice is confirmed. We can speak with authority to health bodies and the local authority, and our input is recognised and acknowledged externally.”

Bernie Micklewright, Community Capacity Builder – Volunteering, Voluntary Action North Somerset (VANS).

The process to takes around six months to complete and accreditation last for three years.  

Applicants submit a portfolio of evidence demonstrating their delivery against a comprehensive assessment criteria, include a range of internal and external documentation such as strategies, business plans, policies and procedures, alongside evidence of service delivery and local impact.

An assessment is undertaken by a trained and independent assessor who reviews the evidence, and holds interviews with the organisation’s personnel and key stakeholder to explore and audit the information provided.  

Organisations can chose from two accreditation schemes based on what’s most relevant to their purpose and focus. Whilst there is some overlap between the two, there is clear distinction in the breadth of areas assessed. 

We are no longer taking applications for the NAVCA performance Standards and Quality Award. The quality accreditations above replace this offer from 2022. If you would like to know more about our legacy awards, please email quality@navca.org.uk