Going further with the Bliss Baby Charter

Baby Charter Stages

In order to ensure all the hard work of units from registration to accreditation is appropriately recognised, the Baby Charter Programme is split into stages:

• Self-Audit: The first stage of the Charter, where units input information about their practice into the Baby Charter Audit. 
   
• Pledge of Improvement: Submission of Audit 1 to Bliss team for feedback. Pledge of Improvement certificate awarded.
   
• Bronze Award: Submission of Audit 2 to Bliss team for feedback. Bronze certificate awarded.
   
• Silver Award: Multiple audits reviewed until rated 75% green in each principle, no Red RAG ratings and the mandatory standard 1.1B is rated green. Silver interview organised, followed by an action plan to work towards full accreditation. Silver certificate awarded.
   
• Gold Accreditation: Action plan implemented, and audits reviewed until rated 90% in each principle, with the mandatory standard 2.3A rated green. Assessment visit from Bliss and external assessors to confirm unit is of Baby Charter standard. Gold Accreditation awarded lasting 3 years.
   
• Platinum Accreditation: Re-assessment of unit once 3 years has passed since Gold Accreditation. Platinum Accreditation awarded lasting 3 years.

We know that achieving accreditation is important, but it’s only made possible thanks to all the changes made along the way. This structure celebrates those changes that we know make such a difference to babies and families.

Charging

All neonatal units will retain free access to the Bliss Baby Charter tool in order to self-assess their practice against all principles – we believe this is a vital foundation to ensure that all units are able to undertake some Baby Charter activity, even where they are not able to access funding to progress through to the accreditation stages. 

The following stages in the new programme process, those that require direct input from Bliss staff, will be based upon a stepped fee structure, as detailed below. In the later stages, Bliss acts as an independent assessor ensuring parity of assessment and achievement.

We have set our costs at what we believe to be a modest and feasible level for units, while also helping to cover the costs of the staff time involved in providing direct support and assessment.  

If you have further questions about these changes, have a look at our Frequently Asked Questions page for more insight.

Costs

Self-Audit

• Phase Details: Use of the digital Baby Charter tool to self-assess the care delivered on the unit 
• Bliss Support: N/A
• Cost: Free
   

Pledge of Improvement 

• Phase Details:  Submission of Audit 1 to Bliss team for feedback
• Bliss Support:
  • 1 email with feedback 
  • Certificate created and sent 
  • Opportunity to call to discuss feedback on the phone or zoom 
• Cost: £300
   

Bronze Award 

• Phase Details:  Submission of Audit 2 to Bliss team for feedback
• Bliss Support:
  • Second feedback via email
  • Certificate created and sent (bronze award)
  • Opportunity to call to discuss feedback or queries on the phone or zoom
  • Email support
• Cost: £600
   

Silver Award  

• Phase Details:  Multiple audits reviewed until rated 75% green in each principle, no Red RAG ratings and the mandatory standard 1.1B is rated green. 
• Bliss Support:
  • Multiple feedback via email until 75% green
  • Opportunity to call to discuss feedback or queries on the phone or zoom 
  • Email support through babycharter@bliss inbox 
  • Silver interview (in person or online) with Bliss team 
  • Action plan to work towards full accreditation Certificate created and sent (silver award)
• Cost: £900
   

Gold  Accreditation 

• Phase Details: Action plan implemented, and audits reviewed until rated 90% in each principle, with the mandatory standard 2.3A rated green. Assessment visit.
• Bliss Support:
  • Multiple feedback via email until 90% green
  • Opportunity to call to discuss feedback or queries on the phone or zoom 
  • Email support through babycharter@bliss inbox 
  • Full day assessment visit (in person or online) with Bliss staff and independent volunteer assessors
  • Email explaining next steps and results from visit 
  • Accreditation award created and sent 
  • Opportunity to call to discuss feedback or queries on the phone or zoom
  • Accreditation ceremony with delivery of certificate and plaque 
• Cost: £1800
   

Platinum Accreditation

• Phase Details: Audits reviewed until rated 90% in each principle, with the mandatory standard 2.3A rated green. Re-assessment visit.

• Bliss Support:
  • Multiple feedback via email until 90% green
  • Opportunity to call to discuss feedback or queries on the phone or zoom 
  • Email support through babycharter@bliss inbox 
  • Full day assessment visit (in person or online) with Bliss staff and independent volunteer assessors
  • Email explaining next steps & results from visit 
  • Accreditation Award created and sent 
  • Opportunity to call to discuss feedback or queries on the phone or zoom
  • Re-accreditation ceremony with delivery of certificate and plaque  
• Cost: £2000

If you think you're ready for the next stage of the process, please complete our invoice form below.