WCIA attains Bronze ‘Youth Quality Mark’ in recognition of excellence
We are delighted to announce that WCIA has been awarded The Bronze Youth Quality Mark for 2025. The process involved a rigorous assessment as well as collaborating with external assessors and partners through interviews and reports. WCIA’s work was described “as an organisation, (who) excel in young people leading” and we are proud to continue supporting them to do so.
The Quality Mark for Youth Work (the Quality Mark) is a national award available to youth work organisations across Wales. A unique tool for self-assessment, it supports and recognises improving standards in the provision, practice, and performance of organisations, demonstrating and celebrating the excellence of their work with young people.
The Education Workforce Council (EWC) administers the Quality Mark in partnership with Education Training Standards (ETS) Cymru, the Council for Wales of Voluntary Youth Services (CWVYS), Principal Youth Officers Group (PYOG) Wales, and Training Agencies Group (TAG), on behalf of Welsh Government.
The Quality Mark consists of two distinct elements:
- a set of Quality Standards that youth work organisations can use as a tool for self-assessment and improvement
- an externally assessed Quality Mark that is a national award demonstrating an organisation’s excellence
WCIA’s assessment report spotlighted:
“WCIA is developing peace education in line with the requirements of the Welsh Curriculum. Regular newsletters to peace schools… flag up opportunities for young people to develop skills and get involved in wider opportunities such as Taith projects, Young Peace Ambassadors and the Young Peacemakers Awards.
Throughout Wales, WCIA’s programme of work gives opportunities for young people to develop their skills, knowledge and understanding through a variety of national and international experiences. WCIA create safe environments to encourage the development of excellent relationships between young people, leaders and volunteers, which has been apparent during observational assessments.
Mobility opportunities (such as international exchange) have a dramatic effect on confidence, emotional capabilities, autonomy and resilience. Young people develop skills in tolerance, cross cultural communication, and an understanding of diversity, helping them to thrive whilst developing a sense of Wales in the World and their own sense of identity.”
40 youth work organisations in Wales have achieved the Quality Mark: 23 bronze, 6 silver and 11 gold.
