Quality Assurance
Quality Assurance – What Does It Mean for You?
What is Quality Assurance?
It is a method for verifying that the quality and integrity of the services and practices spas provide demonstrates that they merit the confidence of clients, employees, government agencies and the general public.
Why initiate a Quality Assurance Program at Leading Spas of Canada?
We all know that spas continue to increase in numbers across Canada, but we also know that many of these “spas” do not meet the same high standards that our members support and adhere to.
Fact: there is no national system of standards or regulations for the Canadian spa industry. Many provinces have little or no licensing for spa practitioners – especially hair, skin and nails. Schools do not have equivalent educational programs and/or requirements for graduation.
What are the benefits of a Quality Assurance program?
The Quality Assurance Program is aimed at providing spas a consistent, credible and reliable means of verifying that they meet Industry standards and best practices in a program that can be administered professionally and equitably from coast to coast.
The consumer will have the confidence and comfort that a spa displaying the Leading Spas of Canada Seal of Approval can deliver a superior spa experience whether in New Brunswick or British Columbia.
Members of the spa industry, from management to therapists, will have the assurance that they are engaged by spas that are committed in every way to providing a safe and reliable working environment that allows their spa workers to provide their guests with the quality experience they have every right to expect.
Most importantly, member spas will be able to proudly demonstrate that they stand head and shoulders above the competition as part of a dedicated group of like-minded spa leaders.
Who will perform the verifications?
Leading Spas of Canada is working together with Canada Select Certified Rating Advisors to define and refine the verification process. Currently, these advisors are responsible for carrying out an accommodations rating program under the Canada Select banner for a variety of facilities including hotels, inns, resorts and campgrounds in nearly every province, many of which include spas in their operations. They are known for their reliability, impartiality and professionalism.
LSC is the sole owner of the program and is contracting with the provinces for the services of these Canada Select Rating Advisors as third-party, impartial evaluators. Please note the Quality Assurance Seal of Approval that you display in your spa and on your marketing materials will be issued by Leading Spas of Canada and will not refer to Canada Select in any way.
How does it work?
The Quality Assurance program includes an on-site assessment with extensive evaluation of all elements of operating a spa, including booking and appointment processes, management & human resource documentation, physical inspection of the property and equipment, sanitation and sterilization procedures and more.
For those smaller spas concerned they may receive a lower ranking due to a limited number of amenities, please be confident in knowing those elements have no bearing within this program. Spa offerings and amenities vary dramatically and at the heart of this program is not to measure the value of amenities or size of the spa, but the desire to ensure all spas meet essential safety, hygiene and operational standards, offering confidence and comfort to the spa management, employees and the guest. Hence the LSC Quality Assurance verification process is a pass/fail situation, rather than a ‘rating’ process.
The verification criteria are based entirely upon the LSC Standards & Practices that have been in effect since 1998 and that are published on the LSC website.
Upon successful completion of the verification, the spa will receive the “Quality Assurance Approved” designation. If there are any areas requiring improvement, Leading Spas of Canada will work with the spa, allowing three months in which to rectify those areas.
All information including documentation reviewed during the QA process will be kept strictly confidential and will not be made available to anyone other than to the spa and to relevant LSC personnel.
"Quality Assurance Approved" status is valid for two years.
When is the program available?
The program is available now.
A pilot program was conducted in 2009 with 20 member spas from across Canada participating on a voluntary basis. The program was extremely successful and is now available to spas across the country. Membership with Leading Spas of Canada is required to participate in the Quality Assurance Program.
Which spas have achieved the “Quality Assurance Approved” Designation?
For a complete list of spas, visit Quality Assurance Approved
How do I find out more about it?
Please email qa@leadingspasofcanada.com or call Leading Spas of Canada at 1.800.704.6393
Standards & Practices
Leading Spas of Canada established the following Standards & Practices in 1999, with continuous reviews and updates over the years, to ensure that all members of the Association provide the highest level of professional services and products to the general public. By signing the Verification Statement, all Association members agree to adhere to these Standards & Practices, and to the Association's Code of Ethics. As a Leading Spas of Canada member, you may be subject to a random inspection to ensure that the professional levels of performance required by the Association are being maintained.
Furthermore, members pledge that their operating procedures and practices comply with all applicable local, provincial and federal regulations, including those for persons with disabilities, and that all co-workers meet all local, provincial and federal regulations with regards to licensing.
As Canada 's premier spa industry organization, Leading Spas of Canada continues to advocate for Government to adopt these Standards and Practices.
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