Frequently Asked Questions

These FAQs answer common questions related to advice and support and some of the business performance tools and accreditations IBP offer.

Choose a topic:

Advice and Support

Who are IBP and why have I been directed to IBP from Investors in People?

IBP are 1 of 8 Investors in People Centres licensed by UK Commission for Employment and Skills to deliver IIP advice and assessment within defined geographical areas. IBP supports clients whose HQs are based in London and the South East. We also offer specialist advice in most areas of organisational development, including staff surveys.

How can I find out about the Investors in People Standard?

Information is available on our website and via the IBP Helpline 0800 612 3098. Our IIP Welcome Packs include an Introducing IBP Group brochure, ‘Facts & Figures’, ‘Features & Benefits’ information and a copy of the Standard, etc. If you would like one sent out to you, either in the post or by email, please call the IBP Helpline. We also run free Investors in People: An Overview sessions – please see next question for details.

What is the 'Investors in People: An Overview' session about, and can I attend?

This introductory session aims to give an outline of how the Standard benefits organisations and what it might mean for your organisation, what is involved and the support available. An experienced Investors in People practitioner delivers the session and will be at hand to answer questions and dispel any myths. The Briefings are held monthly, are free of charge and open to all organisations that have not yet engaged with the standard. We also offer this session to ‘Investors in People contacts’ that are new to the role – regardless of their company’s status. This is a great opportunity to meet the IBP team and get the Investors in People ball rolling. Book on-line at the IBP website.

How much does IBP consultancy cost – and what can you offer?

The cost depends on the nature of the support required. We do our best to find the best solution to fit our clients’ needs. Support can range from a low cost surgery session at IBP, to sophisticated HR and organisational development consultancy, management development or Board level facilitation, or Investors in People implementation work – to name just a few aspects of the support IBP’s 70+ specialists can offer. We would advise you to get in touch to discuss your individual requirements, however as a guide – diagnostic support and advisory reviews cost approx £695.00 a day + VAT. Investors in People implementation advice will cost in the region of £800 + VAT a day– but every advisory project is different. We will always try to customise solutions to clients' resources.

What are Surgeries and how much do they cost?

A one to one consultancy session with an Investors in People specialist can be arranged for anyone who is seeking more detailed guidance and advice. The sessions are 90 minutes long and are held at the organisation’s premises – costing £250 + VAT. Surgeries at Clients’ premises can be booked via the IBP Helpline on 0800 612 3098.

We’re coming up for review, I’ve been handed the responsibility of Investors in People and I know very little, what do I need to do?

IBP’s regular 'Investors in People: An Overview' sessions give an excellent overview of the current Standard and the Investors in People's journey. The sessions, which are facilitated by experienced Investors in People specialists, are free of charge and up to two people from each organisation can attend. All sessions are held at our Offices in Holborn from 9.30 to 12.00 and can be booked on line. If you would prefer a specialist to visit your organisation, this can be arranged by calling the IBP Helpline on 0800 612 3098. The cost for a surgery session at your premises is £250 + VAT.

Assessment and Recognition Queries

Can I have a list of Recognised Investors in People Organisations?

Yes, if you would like to have a list of recognised Investors in People Organisations in your Sector, or query whether an Organisation has been Recognised, we can supply this information. However, we can only give the organisations name and state whether they are Recognised. Call the IBP Helpline on 0800 612 3098 for information.

Can I apply for an IIP assessment or review online?

Yes the Online Application is available from our website opening page; it is a quick & easy. If you experience any technical problems with the online application, or you need help filling the form in, please call the IBP Helpline on 0800 612 3098.

Can I transfer my organisation’s Recognition to IBP?

Yes, it is your choice. If you would like to transfer your Recognition to IBP, please confirm your details and the reason for transferring via email to us, stating your current Investors in People Centre. We will then contact them to confirm your organisation’s status and request your previous Investors in People Plan and Report to be sent to us for your file. For further information on this procedure, please contact the Helpline on 0800 612 3098.

How do I order a plaque once my organisation is a recognised Investor in People?

You will have received a Plaque Order Form together with your Congratulations Letter following successful Assessment / Review. However, if you don’t have an order form, simply call the Operations Team on 0800 612 3098 and we will email you the form, which you need to complete and return to us with your payment. There are a number of plaque options and prices vary – all this information is included on the form. We will normally get your plaque(s) out to you at around 2 weeks from the time the payment and order form is received at IBP. Plaques are sent by recorded delivery and you will get an email with the recorded delivery number.

Can a client get more than one certificate?

Yes, we can print and send out additional certificates on request, regardless of when you were assessed, as long as your organisation is recognised! This is free of charge for up to 10 certificates, however if you require more than 10, there may be a small charge (£1 per certificate) depending on the amount needed. Contact the Operations Team on 0800 612 3098 to order.

How do I get hold of the Investors in People logo?

We can send you the Investors in People logos together with a document containing guidelines on the use of the logo, as long as your organisation is currently Recognised. There is no charge for this and logos are available in different formats. Call the IBP Helpline on 0800 612 3098 to request the logo, upon which we will check your recognition status and make sure we have your correct email address before sending it to you.

Can I request an extension to my 3 year review deadline?

Yes, extensions can be granted in most cases, but the Operations Team Manager will need to do an initial check when the request is first received in case there is a technical reason why it is not possible. The extension request process is as follows: Initial request received at IBP Operations Team Manager checks that there is no reason it can’t be granted If approved by the Operations Team Manager, we will contact you to ask you to either: Send us an email detailing the reasons the extension is being requested, with your completed IIP Review application (available on the IBP website) attached, or; Complete an online Investors in People Review application with details of your extension request included in the additional information section on the on-line application. Emails with applications attached are forwarded to The Operations Team Manager. Our database will be updated accordingly and your Business Development Manager will be advised of the extension. You will receive an acknowledgement email from Operations Team NB the 3 month extension is deducted from your next 3 year recognition deadline.

Please can you tell me when my organisation’s next review is due?

The review will be due 3 years from your organisation’s last assessment/review. The last on-site date needs to be completed before the 3 years deadline passes. We can check the date that your next review is due by looking up when your last assessment /review took place on our database.

Can you quote me a price for my organisation’s assessment/review?

To request a copy of IBP's pricing guidance for Investors in People Assessment and Review, call the IBP Helpline on 0800 612 3098. It is important to note that only assessors can confirm the exact cost after a planning meeting, just before the assessment takes place. This is because you may have special requirements or your organisation may change. If you would like to speak to one of our Business Development Managers or a Practitioner Developer to discuss the requirements, call the IBP Helpline on 0800 612 3098.

Lexcel

How do I apply for Lexcel assessment /review?

You need to apply to the Law Society. All the relevant documents can be found on the Law Society website: www.lawsociety.org.uk and click on the Lexcel quality standard link. The Law Society will forward your application to us if you specify that you would like IBP to carry out the work.

Can you quote me a price for my organisation’s Lexcel assessment/annual review?

Call the Operations Team on 0800 612 3098 for a Lexcel assessment quote. If your organisation is more complex, we may ask one of our Lexcel assessors to get back to you.

e-survey

I have input my username and password but it is telling me that they are incorrect, can you help please?

Firstly, check you are using the correct login details – you should have been given login details specifically for your survey. If you are still having problems, please call our e-Coordinator on 020 7492 5927.

I have tried to log into our e-survey results and input the correct details but I cannot view the results. Why is this?

In order to view the presentation you will need to have a minimum of Flash Player 8 installed on your system. Make sure that this is installed on your computer. If you do not have a minimum of Flash player 8, ask if you can get it installed or if try to access to a unit that does. If this is not possible, please call our e-Coordinator on 020 7492 5927.

How many people have responded to our Survey?

Please contact our e-Coordinator on 020 7492 5927 to obtain this information.

We used paper surveys to record responses. Do you keep the surveys on file and if so, how long are they kept and can they be sent to us?

Paper survey returns are kept on file for 3 months then destroyed. We cannot send copies to clients due to confidentiality agreements. We are not able to send you a copy of your own completed survey as the questionnaires do not have the individuals name on the form so it will be near impossible to find your response.

What is the average return rate for e-surveys?

Return rates can depend on many things and vary between organisations. There is no set return rate and we have seen return rates from 20% 95%. It often depends on the culture of the organisation, how open they are and how well communicated before the survey is taking place. The survey close date can be extended if the expected return rate has not been reached.

SFEDI

How do I apply for SFEDI?

The Application form and Self Assessment form can be found on our web site and can be emailed/sent/ faxed to the Operations team:
Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it 
Fax: 020 7492 5999 
Post: IBP, 4th Floor, New Penderel House, 283-288 High Holborn, London, WC1V 7HP

How much does it cost to be assessed against the SFEDI standard?

£1500 + VAT.

How long does the SFEDI accreditation last for?

You will need to undergo a review every 2 years from date of certification.