Nacro awarded Matrix standard accreditation for quality information, advice and guidance

We are pleased to have retained the Matrix Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) accreditation. The Matrix standard is a Department for Education accreditation which validates that our services are thorough and sufficient in meeting our service user’s needs.

The assessment was carried out over 10 days across our national services in November 2024. Criteria assessed includes fulfilment of organisational strategy, quality of data and research, sufficient resources and personnel, service operation and organisation, service user satisfaction and continuous improvement of the organisation.

Highlights from the report included:

• Criminal Record Support Service (CRSS): CRSS Guides cover a number of supporting topics and are published regularly by the team on the website including Criminal Record Disclosure, Release on Temporary License Best Practice and Recruiting Safely and Fairly.
• The Departure Lounge: The grant funded Departure Lounge outside the gate at HMP Doncaster is offering a welcome space immediately after leaving prison with the opportunity to access a clothing bank, information pack, food for the day, toiletries etc.
• Nacro Education: IAG is embedded throughout the student journey within Education with a focus on finding the right course for students.

Clare Kirk, Vice Principal and Safeguarding Lead for Education on the significance of the Matrix award:

“Providing IAG is at the heart of what we do to improve the lives of people at a point of change in their lives. Receiving the Matrix accreditation pays testament to the professionalism of our staff and our continuous engagement with the latest sector information.

Highlights from the report include good communication within services and across the organisation, positive wellbeing amongst staff, strong research and data underpinning our policy work, consistent engagement with partners and a well-developed service user involvement approach. The sheer number of our services commended in the report evidences our ability to give individuals in different life circumstances the support and skills they need to succeed.

Nacro and Nacro Education continues to provide evidence-based provision grounded in experience at a time of increasing misinformation. Most importantly, this accreditation reassures service users, students, and their families that they are receiving a top-quality service they can trust.”

Read the full Matrix 2024 report here