What Does The IFA’s PSA Status Mean for it's Members?

Quite simply, by displaying the IFA PSA logo on your website and marketing platforms, you demonstrate that you are regulated by an association that has been approved by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA), a UK body accountable to parliament and referred to by the NHS.

The PSA helps to protect the public by improving the regulation and registration of people who work in health and social care. 
professionalstandards.org.uk  

Accredited Registers

• The IFA now has Professional Standards Authority approval so we are an Accredited Register,  which is part of a government-backed scheme to protect the public.

• Accredited Registers are recognised and supported by key stakeholders in the UK. Many companies only employ practitioners who are PSA Accredited.

 The Professional Standards Authority States:

“Practitioners who are committed to high standards choose to join an Accredited Register. Responsible employers and commissioners choose practitioners on Accredited Registers.

We recommend the public only see practitioners on an Accredited Register (or a Statutory Register). Look out for our quality mark which is displayed by practitioners on Accredited Registers.”

Benefits of Professional Standards Authority Accreditation to IFA Members

• The IFA, of which you are part, has been rigorously assessed by the PSA to be awarded the quality mark which provides additional independent assurance that you are registered with a body that is trusted and promotes good practice.

• You will be recognised by NHS employers, commissioners’, other regulators such as the Care Quality Commission, the Any Qualified Providers scheme and the public, as being committed to good practice and professionalism.

• If someone’s GP or other health professional, decides that a particular service might help them, they can feel confident to refer to someone on an Accredited Register, knowing that the Accredited Register will have checked their competence and will hold them to account.

• As your chosen awarding body, The IFA is part of the PSA collaborative working group and part of a community committed to high standards within health and social care, which provides additional insights and resources.  As a registered member, you can keep abreast of the very latest lobbying efforts and sharing of best practice guidelines. Furthermore, the IFA now has access to additional support when you raise matters of importance to us regarding healthcare and public safety issues on behalf of our members.

• Accredited Registers handle complaints fairly and robustly.

• If a practitioner is struck off an Accredited Register they are not allowed to join another one in the same occupation (or another in a different occupation if removed for misconduct), so clients and others can avoid poor practice.

The IFA worked very hard to achieve this Professional Standards Authority approval and are proud to be able to share these benefits with our members.

You should display the IFA PSA quality mark to give your clients reassurance about your technical competence, personal behaviour, and business practice – so be sure to display the IFA PSA logo loud and proud!
 

For more information

If you would like further information about the work of the Professional Standards Authority and what it means for the IFA please don’t hesitate to contact us.