Support work with Coventry groups on Quality Assurance (QA) has continued with earnest in the two month period. The two systems that we are focusing on (PQASSO and VISIBLE) are framework systems to help with the effective running of an organisation so group support requirements have varied a lot. However, to date support has fallen into the following categories: -

• Help with approaches to QA implementation that are workable taking into account the work plan priorities and resources available
• Help with engaging  and supporting committees and trustee boards with improved performance
• Help  to improve trustee recruitment and induction such as using skills audits, action plans to promote vacancies and getting the right people in place according to gaps identified in skills audits and ‘role' descriptions for Trustee vacancies
• Help to manage trustee conflicts of interest and having clear terms of reference for sub committees reporting to the main committee or Trustee board
• Help with the electronic file management of QA to help with continuous improvement into the future

Also, in this two month period we have inputted into a range of activities that will produce resources that will directly help groups in Coventry (these activities are being lead by other organisations under this project).  Activities include; a local charter for Good Governance, a useful policy pack, straight forward charter for effective recruitment and induction, a DVD resource ‘How to run a group'( for new or newly formed groups).

Work has also started to assist commissioners and local funders to have an improved understanding and awareness of appropriate Quality Assurance systems in the Voluntary Community sector