Apply to be an IFIP Accreditor

Expectations for Accreditors

Accreditors representing IFIP are expected to follow high ethical standards. They are expected to show:

Professionalism and Courtesy

Accreditors should act with professionalism, empathy, and respect. They must recognise that a school visit can be stressful and take reasonable steps to reduce anxiety for staff.

Integrity and Objectivity

Accreditors must report honestly and fairly, using their skills and experience. Judgements should be impartial and based only on the evidence they see, hear, and read.

Safeguarding First

The safety, health, and welfare of children always come first. Accreditors must act in the best interests of learners at all times.

Cultural Sensitivity

Accreditors should be aware of cultural expectations, including dress codes, dietary needs, religious practices, and social norms when visiting a school or organisation.

Managing Conflicts of Interest

Accreditors must declare any real or perceived conflicts of interest before accepting an allocated school. A conflict exists when loyalty to another interest could influence professional judgement. This includes past history of working with the school, friends or family members on staff, previous working relationship with the school leadership. Accreditors should avoid any relationship with the school that could compromise the fairness of the accreditation. Accreditors should also declare any work with other organisations offering a similar service. The Global Director of Accreditation will review the declaration and decide whether to accept the conflict or reallocate the accreditor.

Confidentiality

Accreditors must keep all evidence and the identities of staff, children, and families strictly confidential.

Expectations for Schools and Organisations

Accreditation works best when schools and organisations cooperate fully and act with integrity. They are expected to:

Be Open and Honest

Schools must be transparent and provide full access to evidence. Obstructing the process or withholding information may lead accreditors to conclude that standards are not met.

Facilitate the Visit

Schools should support the process by: arranging meetings with children and staff without managers present; providing a private room for confidential discussions; ensuring the health and safety of the accreditation team.

Maintain Professionalism

Schools should treat accreditors with respect and openness, mirroring the professionalism shown by the inspection team.

Show Typical Practice

Schools must allow accreditors to observe normal day-to-day operations.

No Abuse or Intimidation

There is zero tolerance for verbal or physical abuse, threats, or discriminatory behaviour towards accreditors.

I have read and understood the code of conduct and the expectations for accreditors, schools, and organisations

Official IFIP Email Usage

Accreditors must use their designated @ifip.group email address exclusively for all official accreditation communications, correspondence with schools, and administrative duties. Personal or non-IFIP email accounts must not be used for official accreditation business.

Account Ownership and Access

The designated IFIP email account and all associated data remain the exclusive property of the IFIP. Accounts are intended strictly for professional use, and accreditors have no expectation of personal privacy regarding communications sent or received via these accounts. The IFIP reserves the right to access, audit, monitor, review, or disclose account activity and contents where there is a reasonable business, operational, legal, compliance, or safeguarding requirement to do so, as determined by IFIP Leadership.

Representation and Professional Conduct

When carrying out duties or visits on behalf of IFIP, accreditors must conduct themselves with professionalism, objectivity, empathy, and cultural sensitivity, ensuring they actively reduce anxiety for school staff while keeping safeguarding as the primary priority.

Conflict of Interest and Confidentiality

Accreditors must declare any real or perceived conflicts of interest prior to accepting an allocation and must maintain strict confidentiality regarding all school evidence, soft data, and participant identities.

I have read and understood the IFIP email and representation requirements

Safeguarding is the primary priority within the IFIP framework, taking precedence over all other aspects of the accreditation process.

The “Safeguarding First” Principle

The safety, health, and welfare of children always come first, and the accreditation team members will act in the best interests of students at all times. For this reason, the accreditors will only meet with students when they are accompanied by a suitable adult. The accreditation team also expects to see that school staff are familiar with the organisation's safeguarding policies and evidence as to how they carry out safeguarding measures in the school in which they work.

Adherence to National Standards

The accreditation team will always comply with national statutory expectations and legal frameworks that protect individuals from exclusion, discrimination, exploitation and harm.

Mandatory Reporting

Should the accreditation team become aware of safeguarding concerns, then the IFIP has a mandatory duty to report any reasonable suspicion or disclosure of harm, abuse, or neglect immediately to the relevant (local) authorities. This duty takes precedence over confidentiality, and the protection of the individual will be prioritised over any requirement to keep information secret.

Accreditation may be withheld or withdrawn if the accreditation team becomes aware of safeguarding concerns at the school.

I have read and understood the safeguarding expectations