Expressions of Interest Required From Advice Giving Organisations and Peer Reviewers to Join the Peer Review Online Platform Pilot

Background 

 This project is to test our idea for a Peer Review Online Platform (PROP); a web-based platform for peer assessments of advice given, carried out by external experienced reviewers (advice worker from another AQS accredited organisation or possibly pro bono legal advisers), reviewing a sample of case files to ensure that the advice given is competent and reflects current best practice.

The primary purpose of PROP is not only to provide an insight into the quality of advice given but to drive internal improvement. Peer Reviewers will review clients’ files and assess the quality of advice, they will also consider the appropriateness of case handling procedures. They will identify any areas where those organisations being reviewed and their advisers can introduce a continuous improvement plan and will support them in exploring actions required to make any changes.  

PROP will ensure that:

     • It is designed as a development tool for advice providers;

     • It assesses the quality and effectiveness of advice given to, and actions taken on behalf of   clients;  

     • It enables the sharing of best practice through reviewing individual advisers’ files and identifying trends and examples of good practice;

    • It is a transparent scheme, incorporating clear information on the criteria and guidance to advisers and reviewers.

In stage 1 of the project we are looking for organisations and peer reviewers who would like to join the pilot. If you are interested please read on.

Please note expressing an interest in the project does not sign you up at this stage.

AQS holder advice organisations

We are looking for AQS holder advice organisations who are interested in being peer reviewed and joining the pilot, if your organisation is interested please complete the expression of interest form via this link:
https://tinyurl.com/PROP-EOI-ADVICEORGANISATIONS 

 We will send all who have expressed an interest further information regarding the project and information about what will happen next. 

Peer Reviewers

We anticipate that peer reviewers for the PROP project will be selected from a range of AQS holder organisations across the sector and are likely to include a combination of full-time, part-time and/or second tier advisers.  

The minimum requirements for potential peer reviewers are: 

1.         Three years’ full-time (3,300 hours) or equivalent part-time experience of delivering advice in at least one area of law.
2.         Experience of conducting file reviews and providing feedback (in any area of advice).

If you are interested please complete the expression of interest form via this link: 
https://tinyurl.com/PROP-EOI-PEERREVIEWERS  

We will then send further details of the project and what happens next.