Our Information and Advice Service was recently awarded the Advice Quality Standard, demonstrating our excellence in this area. The auditor wrote:
‘I was delighted to see so many Areas of Good Practice, where the Organisation has exceeded the requirements of the AQS to a significant extent. It is important to note that the Areas of Good Practice arise in every section A to G of the AQS, a significant achievement in itself.’
Other areas of good practice highlighted by the audit were the ‘deep in-house expertise and committed diligence,’ a ‘constantly high level of service delivery of independent advice’ and ‘consistently high level of recorded client satisfaction,’ (AQS Audit Report March 2013).
We are also registered with the Office of Immigration Services Commissioner to give Level 1 immigration advice.
Our Housing-Related Support Service was reviewed at the end of 2013.
The report, issued in February 2014 said:
‘The Reviews Officers (ROs) found the floating support service to be of high quality. It is person-centred, focused on achieving outcomes and is tailored to individual need.’
During the four day visit, the Review Officers anonymously interviewed almost half of our clients. The report stated:
‘One client said in interview: “Brigstowe showed me I could achieve things that I didn’t think I could.” Another said: “Support has changed my life for the better.” These comments are representative of the other clients the Review Officers met. Client feedback highlighted the importance they attach to having a housing support service specifically for people with HIV.’
