What is the matrix Standard? It is the international quality standard for organisations that deliver information, advice and/or guidance (IAG). Either as their sole purpose or as part of their service offering. The matrix Standard is the Department for Education’s (DfE) standard for ensuring the quality of the delivery of high-quality information, advice and guidance. The DfE supports the matrix Standard as the quality framework for accrediting information, advice and guidance contracts including the National Careers Service, its subcontractors and other services delivered on behalf of the Education Skills Funding Agency. It helps providers to improve their services by benchmarking against best practice and it offers accreditation to those that meet the full standard. Organisations that feel they meet all matrix criteria can apply for assessment at any time. When an independent Assessor confirms that all criteria are met, the organisation becomes an accredited organisation and can display the matrix quality mark to demonstrate that it offers high quality IAG services. The matrix Standard is an outcome- based standard. This means that an Assessor will look not only at processes used to support IAG delivery but also at results achieved. Any organisation which manages, administers and delivers an information, advice and/or guidance service to support individuals in their choice of career, learning, work or life goals can become accredited to the matrix Standard. It does not matter whether the service or services are delivered face-to-face, through training, learning, remotely, or through a website. Organisations that have benefited from working with the Standard include Training Providers, Universities, Further/Higher Education Colleges, Schools and Academies, Sole Traders, National Careers Service, Voluntary and Community Organisations and Private Businesses.