Join the QNPICU
If you want to join the QNPICU, there are two different types of membership available.
You can either join us as a peer review member, which is better suited to services new to the Quality Network, or as an accreditation member, designed for services who have already been accredited. Find out which membership type would be best for your service below and sign up here.
This option will work on an annual basis, with services receiving a peer-review visit every year. This membership option is ideal for services new to the Quality Network, and those who need additional support to reach ‘desirable’ standards. Peer-review membership is a stepping stone towards accreditation and involves:
- two-month self-review process
- peer-review visit
- localised report specific to your service
- action planning
- annual report.
Unlike accreditation, there is no threshold to meet; services do not need to meet a percentage of type 1, 2 or 3 standards. This allows services to concentrate on improving their service, and gives time for more open discussions.
Accreditation membership works on a three-year cycle, with services receiving an in-depth peer-review visit and interim review within this time. This option is best suited for services familiar with the QNPICU standards, who have previously been through the peer-review or accreditation process.
The review day will be more concentrated on the evidence provided, with a focus on how services are meeting the standards. This process involves:
- three-month self-review process
- peer-review visit
- localised report specific to your service
- accreditation committee (AC) review for up to 9 months
- accreditation certificate (following AC decision)
- interim review after 18 months
- aggregated report.
Services must meet 100% of Type 1 standards, 80% of Type 2 standards and 60% of Type 3 standards in order to be awarded accreditation. Services will be accredited from their first presentation at the accreditation committee, and this will be valid for three years following a satisfactory interim review.
Why join?
- Broad expertise: a wide range of stakeholders are involved, including staff from all professional backgrounds, service users and their carers and partner organisations.
- Development support: services are supported to identify and address areas for improvement.
- Active ongoing network support: members are supported to share best practice, seek advice and pool learning through a regular newsletter, email discussion group, annual conference and publication of resources on a members-only website.
- Sharing good practice: services are engaged with a network of peers, enabling sharing of good practice and providing a forum for advice and information sharing.
- Personal development: individuals receive training and are able to improve their professional practice.
- Spread of learning within the organisation: learning and innovations arising from the process are often spread beyond the participating service to other services within the organisation.
- Benchmarking and trend analysis: we produce an annual national report enabling services to benchmark their own performance against other services, and identifying trends in service provision.
How much does it cost?
Both membership options are £2785 + VAT.
How do I join?
To join as a peer review member or an accreditation member, sign up through our joining form, or contact us at PICU@rcpsych.ac.uk.
