Our Accreditations

Our Awards and Accreditations

All of our awards have received independent recognition.

These accreditations often involve training programs, which help to improve performance within Citizens Advice Lancashire West.

These credentials give both confidence and assurance to our Clients, Staff, Volunteers, and Funding Bodies.

They are symbolic of quality and help to boost efficiency and improve safety.

Please feel free to browse our awards and endorsements below:


Advice Quality Standard

Citizens Advice Lancashire West is proud to announce that its AQS accreditation is renewed every 3 years. The most recent renewal was in 2020, the next renewal scheduled for 2023.  

The AQS is the quality mark for organizations that provide advice to the public on social welfare issues. 

Organizations that hold the standard have demonstrated that they are easily accessible, effectively managed and employ staff with the skills and knowledge to meet the needs of their clients.

If you want to find out more about the AQS, then please visit the AQS Website.


Information Commissioner’s Office

Citizens Advice Lancashire West has received ICO certification to exercise its obligations as a data controller in accordance with Government guidelines and the GDPR.

The ICO is the UK’s independent authority set up to uphold information rights in the public interest, promoting openness by public bodies and data privacy for individuals.


Institute of Money Advisers

The IMA accreditation is given to people/charities that prove they are skilled and professional when giving advice about money.

It provides confidence that they are knowledgeable and working to best practice standards. The overriding objective is to assure quality in the money advice profession.  


The Charity Commission for England and Wales

The Charity Commission for England and Wales runs a quality assessment program which they look into before they decide to award accreditation.

Our service is endorsed by the Charity Commission. Accreditation recognizes excellence, good practice, and the positive impact we have made in communities.

For more information about the Charity Commission please visit their website.


Disability Confident

The Disability Confident scheme supports employers to make the most of the talents disabled people can bring to the workplace.

More and more businesses are signing up for Disability Confident every week.

The scheme helps them think differently about disability, and improve how they attract, recruit and retain disabled workers. For more information about Disability Confident, please visit their website.


Certificate of Membership and Quality Assurance

This is to certify that Citizens Advice Lancashire West is a member of the national Citizens Advice organization having passed an audit of its quality of advice and membership standards.


National Energy Action                  

National Energy Action is the national charity working to end fuel poverty in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Around 4 million UK households are in fuel poverty, unable to afford to live in a warm, dry home.

For more information about National Energy Action please visit their website.