Quality standards

Tearfund has agreed a number of Quality Standards in order to support the practical application of good practice. The Quality Standards bring together all the relevant external and internal accountability and quality standards, codes, guidelines and principles to which we are committed and that are in keeping with the organisational characteristics we aspire to.

The purpose of Tearfund’s Quality Standards is to ensure that those we serve benefit from the increased quality, effectiveness and impact of the work that we undertake. This framework is central to how we work with partners. It recognises that questions of quality rarely involve simple 'yes/no' answers, but require analysis, transparency and continual improvement.

A summary of the standards

Behaviours

We expect the highest standards of behaviour in all of our work, and stand against all forms of exploitation, abuse, fraud, bribery or any other conduct that is incompatible with our values. We strive to transfer power to those we serve; to transform our own, our partners’ and communities’ attitudes and practices on inclusion, conflict sensitivity, accountability, gender and learning.

Impartiality and targeting

We are committed to impartiality, providing support to those most at risk, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, ability, gender, age, sexuality or nationality. We target our work based on need, while staying sensitive to conflict dynamics, and proactively support those who would otherwise be marginalised or excluded, in particular children, the elderly and those living with disability.

Accountability

We are committed to ensuring that all our work is based upon effective communication with, participation of and feedback from the communities we work with. All interventions aim to be transparent and based upon continuous learning. We also hold ourselves accountable to our partners, donors, supporters and colleagues, and to all others we relate and interact with.

Gender

In all our programmes, we actively seek to challenge gender inequality and harmful beliefs and practices, working towards gender justice. We are committed to progressing gender equality, to the restoration of relationships between men and women, boys and girls, and to ensuring their equal value, participation, and decision-making in all aspects of life.

Empowerment

We are committed to community-led, participatory approaches to development and humanitarian response for sustainable impact, based on root cause analysis. We encourage participation from all members of a community, and support those we work with to have control over their own development, from local development activities through to national advocacy.

Resilience

We are committed to helping people understand, reduce and manage the risks they face as well as to address the causes of vulnerability. This includes supporting people and communities as they develop resilient livelihoods, strengthen social cohesion, improve access to services, pursue environmental sustainability, reduce disaster risk and adapt to climate change.

Protection

We are committed to support people in restoring relationships and forming safe and secure communities. We prioritise the protection of all – especially children and at-risk adults – from physical, social and psychological harm. We assess risks and seek to act in ways that minimise people’s exposure to danger or abuse. Community members are the best actors in their own protection, and so we support their actions to stay safe, find security and restore dignity.

Technical quality

We are committed to the high technical quality of all of our work and the work of partners, through meeting relevant national and international standards aligned with communities’ own priorities. We learn to improve, replicating good practice that has demonstrable positive impact.
 

International codes and standards

As well as setting high standards for ourselves in our Quality Standards, we have signed up to a range of internationally recognised operating codes and standards because they reflect our principles of respecting the people we work with.

Core Humanitarian Standard on Quality and Accountability (CHS) CHS sets out nine commitments that organisations and individuals involved in humanitarian response can use to improve the quality and effectiveness of the assistance they provide.

Code of Conduct for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement and NGOs in Disaster Relief This code sets out ten foundational principles to safeguard high standards of behaviour and maintain independence and effectiveness in disaster relief.

Keeping Children Safe coalition standards The coalition is made up of agencies who are committed to child protection. As a member of the coalition, we aim to achieve the highest level of protection for children with whom we come into contact.

UN Statement of Commitment on Eliminating Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by UN and non-UN personnel The statement commits signatories to incorporate core principles relating to combating sexual exploitation and abuse into their codes of conduct and staff rules and regulations.

SPHERE Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response This standard sets out what people affected by disasters have a right to expect from humanitarian assistance, with the aim of improving the quality of assistance provided and enhancing the accountability of the humanitarian system in disaster response.

Code of Good Practice for NGOs responding to HIV The code sets out key principles, practice and evidence required for successful responses to HIV. In endorsing the code, organisations commit to continuous improvement and accountability.

Stakeholders and affiliations

• Integral Alliance 
• Micah Network 
• European Union – Christian Organisations in Relief and Development (EU-CORD) 
• British Overseas NGOs in Development (BOND)
• The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC)
• Start Network
• EC Humanitarian Aid Department (ECHO) - we have a Framework Partnership Agreement
• USAID - we are registered as an International Private Voluntary Organisation 
• The European Interagency Security Forum (EISF)