21 January 2003

SOCIAL SECURITY AGENCY TAKES FIRST STEP TO EXCELLENCE

The Social Security Agency was the only public sector organisation in Northern Ireland this year to receive top marks in the Steps to Excellence quality scheme. It follows an independent assessment against the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) Model.

Speaking last night at the presentation of the award at the Ramada Hotel,
Chris Thompson, the Chief Executive of the Social Security Agency, said: "This recognition of our commitment to providing a quality service is warmly welcomed. We will continue to build on this achievement improving the way we deliver our services to all our customers. We accept that we have still a long way to go to provide the sort of service we want but I firmly believe that this award shows that we are heading in the right direction".

This is the first time the Agency has formally entered into the quality assessment process.

The Steps to Excellence quality scheme has three levels of recognition, gold, silver and bronze. The Agency exceeded all of these levels to gain the ultimate award, the Mark of Excellence.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1. Steps to Excellence is a recognition scheme, in association with the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister, developed to promote the use of the EFQM Excellence Model across the Northern Ireland public sector.

2. Up to 60% of all Northern Ireland public sector organisations have adopted quality improvement initiatives with the majority (57%) using the EFQM Excellence Model.

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