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National Quality Mark for Home Improvement Agencies

Foundations is appointed by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) as the national body for home improvement agencies.

Home improvement agencies help vulnerable people to maintain their independence and live comfortably and safely in their own homes. Every year, home improvement agencies deal with around 225,000 enquiries from across the country, and deliver work with a total value of over £110 million.

The new Foundations Quality Mark for home improvement agencies is a comprehensive service assessment process. At its heart it has a core module which mirrors the Supporting People Quality Assessment Framework service objectives for home improvement agencies.

To gain the Quality Mark, home improvement agencies must reach the minimum standard for the core module, plus at least one of five optional modules. (1)Funding for repairs and adaptations (2)Support for choice (3)Connecting with health and care (4)Handyperson services (5)Major adaptationsThe Quality Mark is comprehensive and flexible, and is awarded for three years. It has three levels of pass (A to C) and is based on the HIA self-assessment, which must be evidenced during our validation visit.