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Specialist Help
- SQM Outsourcing - Response to informal consultation
- SQM update
- About the SQM
- Additional requirements and definitions for telephone services
- Current Process for applying for the SQM (and SQM including telephone services)
SQM Outsourcing - Response to informal consultation
In July 2009 we issued a discussion paper regarding the future of quality assurance in legal aid and began an informal consultation process on its proposals for change. We have now produced a response summarising the feedback received and how we intend to move forward. The proposals include:- Keeping peer review, and continuing to meet the cost, but reducing the number of reviews carried out
- Outsourcing the SQM whilst minimising the cost to providers
- Reviewing the decision to end contributions towards the cost of accreditation, and in discussion with representative bodies producing new proposals by early 2010
- Working closely with regulators and representative bodies to avoid duplication of assurance
Specialist Quality Mark update
The second edition of the Specialist Quality Mark (SQM) Standard and Guidance have now been published. The changes will take effect for all legal aid contracts from 2010.
A key change is the transfer of the supervisor legal competence standards to the contract, reflecting the importance of supervision to the delivery of a quality service to the client.
The SQM has been brought up to date by:
- increasing clarity: moving redundant areas and updating terminology
- promoting equalities: addition of a new E&D standard
- streamlining: the standard will be awarded to a firm, not an office. The SQM will no longer be legal aid or category specific.
The changes that have been made to the standard will:
- align the SQM with the LSC contract from 2010
- allow the LSC to accept Lexcel as an alternative to the SQM for 2010 onwards
- be a first step towards outsourcing the SQM from late 2010.
For more information
You can view and download the SQM Standard and Guidance (September 2009), a Summary of the Changes and a FAQ document in the Document section on the right of this page. For further information you can contact the Quality Mark team by sending an email to: qualitymark@legalservices.gov.uk
About the Specialist Quality Mark
The Specialist Quality Mark is a quality assurance standard for legal services that:
- supply complex legal help in specific areas of law
- provide full range of legal services, including representation in court (where necessary and permitted) by formally trained professionals
- wish to receive Legal Services Commission funding
- are well run and provide good client care
- example: solicitors, agencies supplying specialist advice in specialist areas of law
Compliance with the Specialist Quality Mark is a requirement for organisations that have, or are seeking to have, a Legal Services Commission Unified Contract.
Additional requirements and definitions for telephone services
This standard applies to organisations that supply legal information, advice or services by telephone at specialist level including:
- national, regional and local telephone services
- organisations that provide additional telephone assistance as well as face to face service
The requirements of the telephone level should be read in conjunction with the SQM requirements.
Current Process for applying for the Specialist Quality Mark (and SQM including telephone services)
Our audit resource is being focused on contracted suppliers and those whose funding depends on the award of a contract.
Currently we only accept Specialist Quality Mark applications from new entrants as part of any registration process for bid rounds or new contract awards processes.
If you require any of the Specialist Quality Mark forms, including application forms, please click on the Specialist Quality Mark forms link located in the links section on the right hand side of this page.
Last updated: 20 November 2003