Facilities wishing to become accredited through the IFI Mark follow a set pathway:
- Facility submits an official order, including order number, to the IFI.
- The facility is sent a resource manual, including further information about the requirements to become an IFI Mark facility, sources of advice and support, and a questionnaire detailing the information required ahead of an assessment.
- The facility completes the questionnaire and collates a copy of any relevant policy documents. These are submitted to the IFI office for consideration ahead of any site visit.
- A site assessment is arranged at which an IFI Assessor completes a full access audit of all public areas of the facility and meets the key staff on-site. At the end of this meeting, key findings are highlighted to facility management.
- Following the assessment, the IFI Assessor produces an action plan outlining the changes required in order to achieve IFI Mark status.
- The facility has up to 6 months to complete any areas outlined in the action plan and provide evidence of this to the IFI Assessor.
- Assuming all required evidence is obtained to the required standard outlined in the action plan, an IFI Mark award is granted, with the facility remaining accredited at this level for a period of 2 years from the date of award.
- Once facilities have been accredited for approximately one year, they receive a mystery visit from a trained disabled person to ensure that standards are being maintained.
- At the end of the two-year accreditation period, facilities are re-assessed to ensure continuing compliance with the standards and ongoing improvement.
