Overview of the Process
A brief overview of the application process
Providers register an application via the online registration form
The online for is reviewed by a member of the team, who will then onboard the application the the online portal
Providers are then provided with a login detail for the self-assessment portal, and will complete a property list and sign the membership declaration - this login is sent to the person who registered the application
A member of the team will review the submitted declaration and building list, and respond with any questions or queries
The team will notify the Committee of Management (one of the Codes governance bodies) of your application, who have 5 days to provide comment or questions
Once this 5 day period has passed (and either no questions have been raised OR any queries have been resolved), the application and administration fee of £2000 is then due.
Upon receipt of the administration fee, the team will release the Organisational Self-Assessment Questionnaire (OSAQ) to for completion
Once the OSAQ is completed and submitted, a member of the team will review the respones provided.
After reviewing the OSAQ, the team will assign a Site Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SSAQ) and assign a member of the verification team to come out and undertake a verification visit - please note membership will not be granted without an in-person visit to one or more of your registered sites
The in-person site visit will then take place, and the verifier will then assess compliance against the self-assessment questionnaire, and produce a report and recommendation. Membership will usually be subject to the completion of action points identified at the visit.
Applicants work through the actions assigned to achieve membership. Membership is only approved once this is both recommended by the relevant verifier and then ratified by the Audit Panel chair.
The payment of the membership fee is also required before membership can be awarded. This fee level is determined by the number of bed spaces being registered.
Timescales for the Application Process
A commonly asked question is how long does the application process take from start to finish. The time taken to become Code accredited is unique to each applicant, and their ability to both undertake the administrative task required (e.g. paying the fees, the online assessments etc) and then complete any actions that result from the verification visit.
Given the above, there is no average or set timescale - the time taken has to achieve accreditation by applicants in the last year has ranged anywhere from 3-12 months.
To avoid unnecessary delays, applicants are strongly advised to undertake the following prior to making an application: