Life Skills Programs Quality Assurance Framework
Based on the importance of life skills training programs in the social sector and their contribution to enhancing the quality of life in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi Department of Community Development has developed “Life Skills Programs Quality Assurance Framework “LSQAF”. This framework consists of a set of principles and reference guidelines to direct the standardized implementation of quality assurance activities for life skills training programs in the social sector. The quality assurance principles include: transparency, accountability, internal and external evaluation, continuous learning, alignment, needs assessment, inclusivity and collaboration, responsiveness, and adherence to practices based on risk analysis and evidence.
Life skills encompass a group of essential abilities, psychosocial competencies and interpersonal skills that empower individuals throughout the different stages of life to acquire knowledge, make informed decisions, lead fulfilling lives and become catalysts for positive community transformations.
Several social sector entities in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi implement several training programs that have been classified as life skills training programs to empower community members and enhance their well-being. These programs aim to empower the community, families and parents, children and youth, those about to get married and newlyweds, and the elderly, those been termed "empowerment categories." These programs are closely linked to the Abu Dhabi Family Well-being Strategy (2023-2025) and the National Strategy for Well-being 2031.
Life skills training programs develop one or more of the following competency categories:
- Knowledge: Information obtained through experience, study, investigation, or connection.
- Skills: The ability to apply knowledge effectively and consistently.
- Attitudes: The readiness to evaluate or respond, whether consciously or unconsciously, to certain concepts, people, or situations.
With the aim of assessing compliance with the implementation of the specified quality assurance principles, Abu Dhabi Department of Community Development has worked on developing standards for life skills training programs.
Programs’ Standards:
The Department of Community Development has developed standards for life skills training programs and a comprehensive guide that provides a reference for social sector entities on how to enhance program quality.
These standards describe recognized practices to ensure the development and delivery of effective life skills training programs in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The standards aim to:
- Ensure that life skills training programs offered to target beneficiaries in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi are of an adequate quality and effectively meet the needs of target beneficiaries.
- Provide a framework for Operators to design curricula and activities that address specific learning outcomes.
- Create a basis for monitoring and evaluation of program performance, ensuring that programs meet desired outcomes.
The number of developed standards is 73, categorized into six domains: program design and preparation, program delivery, learning environment, program evaluation and reporting, learner support services, ethical and professional standards, and risk identification and mitigation.
Target beneficiaries:
These programs target families and parents, children and youth, those about to get married and newlyweds, the elderly, and the community. These programs are closely linked to the Abu Dhabi Family Well-being Strategy (2023-2025) and the National Strategy for Well-being 2031.
Social Sector Entities Implementing the Program:
Several social sector entities in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi implement various training programs that have been classified as life skills training programs to empower community members and enhance their well-being. These entities include the Early Childhood Authority, the Family Development Foundation, the Family Care Authority, and the Authority of Social Contribution. The Department of Community Development also directly oversees the implementation of some programs.
Implementation Mechanism:
Life skills training programs provided by social sector entities are implemented through various methodologies, including:
- Direct training for beneficiaries conducted by social sector entities (in-person, virtual, or hybrid).
- Training for workers who interact with community beneficiaries to train them on life skills.
- Training provided by specialized firms in the field for beneficiaries.
Quality Label
The Quality Label is a recognition awarded to program operators in Abu Dhabi who demonstrate excellence in delivering high-quality life skills training programs. The Quality Label signifies adherence to the Program Standards and quality assurance principles and assures stakeholders and beneficiaries of the quality of the training programs. The Quality Label serves as a mark of distinction, incentivizes continuous improvement, and reinforces the importance of quality in program delivery.
Based on the assessment of standards fulfillment, training programs will be classified into stages as follows:
- Growth Stage - programs that scored between 50%-66%.
- Advanced Development Stage - programs that scored between 67%-80%.
- Maturity Stage - programs that scored between 81%-100%
Quality Labels will be awarded parallel to the stages of growth, advanced development, and maturity to reflect the progression path in quality. These labels will be categorized as Bronze, Silver, and Gold based on the degree of adherence to standards, as outlined below:
- Gold Level (score: 81%-100%)
Clarification: This level represents the Maturity Stage, where these programs are implemented with high efficiency and provide a comprehensive educational experience, serving as a model to aspire to in the field of training and education.
- Silver Level (score: 67%-80%)
Clarification: This level represents the Advanced Development Stage, where these programs demonstrate an advanced level of quality, providing a distinguished educational experience and efficiently achieving most of their objectives. However, there may be some aspects that could be improved to reach the highest levels of quality.
- Bronze Level (score:50-66%)
Clarification: This level represents the growth stage, where these programs exhibit moderate capability in achieving quality in design, execution, monitoring, and evaluation. While they may provide significant training content, there are areas that require improvement and development to ensure a more effective and comprehensive training experience.
As for programs that scored less than 50% in the assessment, they fall into the Foundational Stage. These programs demonstrate a need for development to achieve quality. They are at the beginning of their journey and require comprehensive and continuous review to ensure the delivery of an effective and productive educational experience.