The Forward Trust are successful in their Matrix Standard Re-accreditation

We are delighted to have been re-accredited for the Matrix Standard in relation our Careers Information Advice and Guidance work across our prison and community services.

The Matrix Standard is owned by the Department for Education (DfE) and ensures the delivery of high-quality information, advice and guidance (IAG) services that enable people to reach their full potential.

Working with our hard working Operations teams gave us  the perfect opportunity to reflect and review on progress in our services.  Our teams use Quality Improvement Plans (QIPs) to record improvements required and action these regularly. We discussed these with our Matrix Standard Assessor and this provided an opportunity to share the challenges and consider areas of development that had not been  identified.

Feedback from our participants, clients or learners is crucial in identifying what we do well and where improvements can be made.  For example, on our Prison Education DPS CIAG contracts, this feedback is shared and discussed prisoner forums, where the voices of the prisoners are heard and their challenges understood. It’s encouraging to hear that prisoners feel well supported, respected, and safe, with clear progression paths into work or education identified.

However, not all participants were aware of the wider support they could tap into from the Forward Trust. This is an area the team will focus on improving over the coming months.

Community learners on our Adult Skills,  Restart and Multiply provisions have shared that the CIAG advisors effectively support them. As part of their time with us, learners or participants tell us that their  confidence, job readiness skills, and IT capabilities have improved.

The Matrix Standard is also an opportunity to share why the Forward Trust is a great place to work. The wellbeing of colleagues is key, and it’s great to hear that team confidence is high, challenges are being faced and met with support from managers and peers alike, and everyone has a voice that contributes to making the services better.

The chance to share these messages with the Matrix assessor, evidence the improvement made in a year, and reflect on what else the teams can do to further enhance our CIAG offer is a positive experience.  We have achieved a lot, but we are never complacent and recognise that there is still much to do, with only 12 months until the next Matrix Assessment. This continuous improvement mindset is crucial for maintaining the Matrix accreditation and providing a high-quality CIAG service.

Keep an eye on our social media platforms—LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook—for updates on our award-winning, Ofsted-rated Good services. To learn more about our Employment Support initiatives, visit the Forward Trust website.