How does it work?

First of all, you’ll want to see how you compare to the Standard, what you’re already doing well, and where there’s room for improvement. Most organisations use an Investors in People Advisor to help them get started and to put in place an action plan for improvement.

There’s a range of support available from Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Island Enterprise, through independent Advisors, our website and our workshops. Information on independent advisory support is available through Investors in People Scotland. Please call our helpline on 0845 606 6000.

How to decide when to be assessed

Once you have decided to work with the Standard you can embark upon assessment at any time. The ethos of Investors in People is to encourage a continuous step–by–step, developmental approach to assessment. This continuous assessment approach allows you to see improvement and quantify progress towards the Standard throughout the assessment process, through to the goal of recognition, and beyond. The feedback from the Assessor is intended to add value at all times.

These general principles apply:

 You can request an assessment at any time once you have decided to work with the Standard
Assessment is a continuous process and is always accompanied by client-focused feedback
The Advisor (where used) and Assessor work together in partnership
  The client receives the most appropriate assessment approach and advice, but with the Assessor maintaining objectivity throughout
The Advisor's role is as follows:
  Help prepare the organisation for assessment, ensure that the Assessor has access to all relevant information and then further assist in developing the organisation after assessment

At all times, there is a need to balance the cost of the proposed assessment process and methods with the needs of the client.

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Assessment options

Either an Investors in People Scotland representative or your Advisor will be happy to discuss your individual requirements. Investors in People Scotland has extensive experience of dealing with all sectors and sizes of organisations, and will endeavour to provide you with an Assessor who understands your organisation and your special needs, whether you are a large multi–national organisation, a garage or a small charity.

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Applying for Assessment

You should contact either Investors in People Scotland or your Local Enterprise Company to arrange an assessment. If you are unsure whether Investors in People assessment is suitable for your organisation at this time, your Advisor will be able to provide impartial advice.

Once you have decided to undertake assessment you must complete a booking form. If you have already been in contact with your Local Enterprise Company then they may arrange this for you, otherwise you should return the form directly to Investors in People Scotland. To make a booking please visit our 'book an assessment' page for further information.

Based on the information received on the booking form the Assessor will provide an estimated cost and timescale for the service (this is known as scoping).

The Assessor will contact you and agree an on-site date for assessment, and also establish if there are any particular objectives or areas that you wish to focus on specifically during the assessment. You may request a pre–visit from the Assessor if you wish to discuss any part of the process in more detail, however, this may incur additional costs.

Investors in People Scotland will confirm details in writing prior to the on-site visit, including confirmation of the total cost.

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Getting the results

At the end of the on-site visit the Assessor will provide you with verbal feedback and inform you of the recommendation they will be making to the Recognition Panel. The Recognition Panel will decide the outcome of the assessment based upon the Assessor's report and comments.

If you used an Advisor during your assessment, it is desirable that they are present during this feedback. You can also request a formal feedback visit at a later date, but an extra cost will be incurred.

When the on-site visit is completed the Assessor will inform Investors in People Scotland of their recommendation and will send in their report for Internal Verification (a quality measure to ensure that the Investors in People standards have been met by the Assessor).

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Remaining process for organisations undertaking first time assessments.

If the outcome of the Recognition Panel is positive, Investors in People Scotland will send you a congratulations letter along with an Investor in People plaque and a certificate.

Recognition lasts for a maximum of 3 years before a Review assessment is required. If the Assessor decided that more evidence was required to meet all the criteria of the Investors in People Standard then the report will be sent to Investors in People Scotland for Internal Verification and sent directly to you and the Advisor. Another on-site visit would be arranged at a later date after all development points had been addressed.

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Remaining process for organisations undertaking Review assessments.

If the outcome is positive and the Assessor recommends that your organisation continues to meet the Investors in People Standard then the assessment report will again be sent to Investors in People Scotland to be Internally Verified, after which it will be sent directly to you with a congratulations letter, questionnaire and certificate.

If the outcome is that your organisation no longer meets the Standard, the Retaining Recognition Process must be followed - this process will be explained in full by the Advisor and also by Investors in People Scotland in writing. The Assessor will clearly identify the action that is required in his/her report, which would again be Internally Verified by Investors in People Scotland and issued directly to you.

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