Accreditation and Quality Assurance

 At EVOLVE Advice, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards in our training, as part of our work to support schools to deliver safe and memorable educational visits for all children and young people.

Our Accreditations

Training delivered by EVOLVE Advice is accredited by the following national bodies.  This involves a rigorous assessment process including scrutiny of our course content and session plans, delivery material, internal and external quality assurance processes (IQA/EQA) and our trainer competence. Accreditation is reviewed annually.

• Institute for Outdoor Learning (IOL):

  • Initial EVC Training, EVC Revalidation, Visit Leader Essentials, Visit Leader, Preventing Incidents & Managing Emergencies, Risk Assessment for Educational Visits and Snowsport Visits Training.

This recognises our outdoor learning courses, ensuring they meet the highest standards for safety, educational value, and experiential outdoor learning.

• Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH): Accredited EVC Training

Our IOSH accreditation certifies that our courses adhere to the rigorous standards set by this globally recognised professional body, ensuring our training is relevant and effective in promoting health and safety on educational visits.

What does accreditation mean?

Accreditation is formal recognition that an organisation, programme, or course meets established standards of quality and excellence set by external accrediting bodies. It validates the credibility and competence of the training provided, ensuring that the educational content is relevant, up-to-date, and delivered by qualified professionals. Accreditation often involves rigorous assessments, continuous development processes, and adherence to sector best practices. 

Why does accreditation matter?

When choosing an EVC or Visit Leader training course, you want to be sure that the course will equip you with the best possible knowledge and skills to support you in your role. You take your responsibilities seriously and it's critical that your training supports this. Official accreditation confirms that EVOLVE Advice EVC and Visit Leader training meets these standards.  

Accreditation …

• demonstrates that our training courses consistently meet high standards, providing reliable and effective learning experiences;

• enhances the credibility of the course, and your certification, with employers, inspectors or stakeholders;

• offers scope for continuous professional development for EVCs and Visit Leaders;

• ensures that courses comply with national regulations and standards, minimising risk and enhancing safety;

• gives stakeholders, including parents, employers, and regulatory bodies, greater confidence that your training is of the highest quality.

What is Quality Assurance and what is the difference between internal and external quality assurance?

Quality Assurance (QA) is a systematic process of evaluating and improving the quality and performance of an organisation's activities and outputs. In the context of education and training, QA ensures that courses and programs meet predefined standards of excellence, providing participants with consistent, high-quality learning experiences.

Internal vs. External Quality Assurance

Internal Quality Assurance (IQA):

IQA refers to the processes and activities conducted within an organisation to monitor, evaluate, and improve the quality of its services and outcomes.

At EVOLVE Advice we conduct regular reviews, internal audits, self-assessments, and continuous improvement initiatives led by our Educational Visits Advisers. This helps us identify areas for improvement and ensures adherence to external requirements and our internal quality standards and policies.

External Quality Assurance (EQA):

EQA involves the evaluation and certification of an organisation's services and outcomes by an independent, external body.

We don’t believe that ‘marking your own homework’ is sufficient in the world of education, so we proactively seek formal accreditation. This involves independent audits and assessments conducted by recognised external accrediting bodies.

As a result, EVOLVE Advice training is subject to objective quality validation, ensuring compliance with sector standards and leading to an ever-improving learning experience for attendees.

Professional Memberships 

In addition to our course accreditations, EVOLVE Advice trainers are encouraged and supported to keep their own CPD up to date through regular training and membership of relevant professional bodies, including:

• Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH)

• International Institute of Risk and Safety Management (IIRSM)

• Institute for Outdoor Learning (IOL)

• Council for Learning Outside the Classroom (CLOtC)

• Outdoor Education Advisers’ Panel (OEAP)

• The Royal Yachting Association (RYA)

• Mountain Training

• Health and Safety Lawyers Assocation

These memberships ensure our trainers are continually engaged with the latest developments and best practice in their fields, bringing a wealth of expertise and knowledge to our courses.