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Our qualities

Careers South West Ltd hold a number of quality awards which define frameworks we work to.

European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) - is a widely used business excellence framework used to improve performance.

With an overarching philosophy of continuous improvement the company has used the EFQM model as a diagnostic tool to assess our strengths and areas for improvement.

Although a framework tool there are also recognition schemes based on the excellence model to celebrate success. In 2009 the company won both the Customer Satisfaction and Leadership categories in the UK Excellence award.

Using the EFQM model since 2000 the company delivers quality and improved services to our customers.

The model is continually updated and developed by EFQM so that organisations keep up-to-date with the latest thinking

Customer Service Excellence Award - a national standard for customer service excellence.

As a Customer Service Excellence holder the company has demonstrated that it offers choice to its customers so that a wide range of needs are catered for.

Customer Service Excellence recognition is more about achieving a change of culture than winning a trophy. Change and improvement are ongoing. Hence after achieving the Award in 2009, it is under review annually. This year as previously "CSW was found to have a deep understanding and commitment to Customer Service Excellence. The commitment was found from Senior Management Levels to front line staff."

It was also noted that CSW had several areas of good practice including being an excellent example of a high performing service that puts the customer at the centre of its operation.

Investors in People - a national quality standard which sets a level of good practice for improving an organisation's performance through its people.

Careers South West has a culture of encouraging training and learning amongst our employees and the company has an ongoing commitment to the Investor in People standard. The company was first awarded the quality standard in 1999 and eleven years on, continues to retain the standard. 

In 2010, the review acknowledged the company's high level of achievement and was awarded Gold, noting a subtle, fast-moving, fluid and agile organisation.

The company continued to impress with "the relentless focus on continuous improvement in all areas." It was noted that there exists no let-up in the drive for perfection; with the assessor explaining, "the difficulty of finding you standing still long enough to capture a snapshot of current progress."

Matrix - the national quality mark for the effective delivery of information, advice and guidance on learning and work.

The Accreditation review was carried out in 2010 and Careers South West demonstrated that it continues to meet the matrix quality standard.

"CSW is committed to quality in all aspects of the company. Of the strengths identified during the previous Assessment, CSW continues to have strong links with a range of external partners, and has increased its collaborative working to ensure access to opportunities for both young people and adults. Staff development remains a high priority."

Sunday Times Best Places to Work in the Public Sector 2010 - a national award for employee satisfaction managed and run by Best Companies with the list of the top 75 being published in the Sunday Times. 

In 2010 Careers South West Ltd attained 6^th position overall, as well as winning the special Award for Training and Development.