FUTURE Steps, Teesside's careers service, has been recognised nationally as an organisation which provides quality careers information, advice and guidance by achieving accreditation to the Guidance Council's Quality Standards. The company is the first on Teesside to receive the Guidance Council's Quality Standards award.

Future Steps is one of the first careers service companies to be accredited by the Guidance Accreditation Board to the national Guidance Council Quality Standards. The accreditation process is at the heart of the national drive to promote quality in lifelong learning for all and as one of the first careers service companies to be accredited, Future Steps is at the vanguard of the initiative to promote quality information, advice and guidance services to clients looking for help with their careers or their education.

Future Steps' quality manager Lynn Kilpatrick is delighted with the news. Lynn said: "The award is recognition for all the work staff do to ensure we provide accurate, up- to-date information, advice and guidance to meet the individual needs of our clients and to assist them to progress. Ours is a client centred service and as a result each person presents us with his or her own specific requirements. We want all our clients to know that we are here for them and that their views on the assistance we provide is always welcome.'

The Board's chief executive, Dr Ian Livsey, said: "In achieving accreditation to national quality standards, Future Steps has demonstrated that it offers to its clients a quality service in the provision of information, advice and guidance," he said.

"The commitment and dedication to providing a quality service to their clients is recognised by the award of the Guidance Accreditation Board's Quality Mark to Future Steps. If someone is looking for this type of help they should always look towards organisations displaying the national Quality Mark."

Accredited organisations such as Future Steps will display a nationally recognised Quality Mark and a certificate awarded by the Board which will describe the services provided at each location.