Type I accreditation

Step 1 - Get ready to self assess against the organisational standards

Watch the Introduction to the audit function presentation here.

Watch the guidance slides for each of the individual Organisational Standards.

Read the Self Assessment Guidance to help you identify what evidence the auditor will be looking for when you are audited.

Step 2 - Complete your self assessment

• Complete the Self Assessment and Application form
• For further clarification on evidence that may be appropriate for each of the individual Organisational Standards, you may find it useful to view the guidance slides here.
•  You may find it helpful to use the three page Self Assessment Summary to keep on track.

Step 3 - Are you ready for Type I accreditation?

• If yes, move on to Step 4
• If no, use the Self Assessment Guidance, view the presentation and organisational guidance slides to identify what is missing and what you need to do to be ready for accreditation.
• If you are still unsure of what you need to do please contact the SNSIAP Auditor.

Do not send the completed Self Assessment and Application Form to us until Step 7.

Step 4 - Apply for accreditation

When you are satisfied that you are ready for Type I Accreditation you should email the Scottish Government to apply. Your email must include:

•  Name of your organisation
•  Main contact details
•  The topic(s) of advice you wish to be accredited in, that is housing and/or welfare benefits and/or money and debt
•  Confirmation that you have completed the Self Assessment and Application Form.

Step 5 - Scottish Government forwards your application email to us

We are administering SNSIAP accreditation for the Scottish Government.

 

Step 6 - Auditor arranges visit

If not already agreed, our auditor will contact your agency as soon as possible after receiving the information from the Scottish Government and agree a date for a desktop audit review in the following quarter, depending on auditor availability.

The auditor will also explain what information you will need to provide and when.

There will be a commitment by all agencies to ensure that all actions, requests, and documentation requested and agreed with the SNSIAP audit function is provided in the agreed timelines.

Failure to comply with these requirements will result in an agencies application for accreditation to be stopped, which where appropriate will result in the organisation being removed from the list of accredited agencies immediately or when the current accreditation lapses.

Agencies will then be required to make a further application for accreditation to the Scottish Government and the SNSIAP audit function will determine when or if this would be able to be conducted, dependent on capacity of the SNSIAP audit function.

Step 7 - Send your forms to us

You should submit your SNSIAP Self Assessment and Application Form (and all supporting documents) via our file-sharing platform to the auditor a minimum of five weeks before the audit visit takes place.

Step 8 - Audit visit

The audit visit takes place - you can find out what to expect here.

 

Step 9 - Draft audit report sent to you