If the Shoe Fits – Quality Assurance Processes for Footwear

Brogues.  Stilettos.  Ankle boots.  Trainers.  We wear a pair of shoes near enough every day and expect them to provide us with functionality and, when needed, style.  It’s no surprise that the most used part of our wardrobes undergoes quality assurance to ensure they are ready for a walk, run or dance.

QIMA, an international quality assurance company says;

‘Footwear is a highly diverse category, with thousands of models that use a wide range of materials and require a number of different production processes. This makes footwear testing and quality assurance a highly demanding and specialised process.’

The variety of footwear on offer – from designer to high street, heel to sandal – requires different quality assurance approaches and processes; Very much like the three levels of Quality 4 Health + Wellbeing.  Acknowledging and celebrating the diverse range of support within the Voluntary, Community & Social Enterprise (VCSE) Sector, Quality 4 Health + Wellbeing has been designed for VCSE organisations of all sizes to demonstrate the high-quality delivery of their services.

In footwear, quality checks can include:

  • Heel attachment strength (heels)
  • Size fitting test
  • Waterproof test
  • Odour test
  • Sole bonding
  • Colourfastness check
  • Symmetry check

Like the 9 quality areas of Quality 4 Health + Wellbeing, the quality checks for footwear work around the shoe requirements and not the other way round; When completing Quality 4 Health + Wellbeing, no two organisations will have the exact same journey.  The evidence gathering process helps to review and reflect on the areas of your service delivery that may require improvement or highlight the areas or impact of your services that you can be proud of. 

As diverse as the footwear industry can be, so too is the VCSE Sector.  With the different communities we support and the expansive services we deliver, our shoes may vary but we are all on the same VCSE shoe rack.

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Local Authorities

We are currently working with a number of Local Authorities to support the development of the voluntary and community sector.  We are achieving this by helping to demonstrate the quality and outcomes for their services users and supporting organisations to be ready to deliver public sector contracts, such as social prescribing. We could also support Local Authorities to improve quality within your care home settings by offering a bespoke support package.

Contact us to find out more info@qualityforhealth.org.uk

Clinical Commissioning Groups

Quality For Health was developed in partnership with Calderdale CCG. We are working with a number of CCGs who are interested in quality assurance for voluntary and community organisations delivering health services, enabling them to demonstrate the difference their organisations make to services users and patients by delivering high quality services. CCGs may be interested to support their local voluntary and community sector and be more confident around commissioning and referrals through working with Quality For Health. Quality For Health can also support priorities laid out in the NHS Long Term Plan, such as social prescribing and supporting organisations delivering prevention, mental health and support for carers. 

Quality For Health can also be used as a useful tool in bringing partners together to develop Primary Care Networks.

Contact us to find out more info@qualityforhealth.org.uk

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