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 you, 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. The Quality Assurance Seal of Approval that you display on your door or in your spa, however, will be issued by Leading Spas of Canada and will not refer to Canada Select in any way.
How does it work?
The verification process is based entirely upon the LSC Standards & Practices that have been in effect since 1998 and that are published on the LSC website.
Every two years, an on-site visit schedule will be coordinated by the Canada Select advisor in consultation with the spa. The on-site visit schedule will include:
Interviews with the spa owner/manager, employees
Tour of the facility
Room and equipment inspections
Review of records and documents including policies, etc.
Upon successful completion of the verification, the spa will receive a Leading Spas of Canada Seal of Approval; if there are any areas needing improvement, the spa will have 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.
When will it begin?
A pilot program will commence in 2009 with 30 member spas representing each province across Canada participating on a voluntary basis. During 2009, the process will be further refined and it is anticipated that it will be rolled out to the entire Leading Spas of Canada membership in 2010. Participation in the program will then become mandatory.
How do I find out more about it?
The Quality Assurance program will be presented as a Master Business Session by Dr. Wendy Smeltzer and Vivienne O’Keeffe, on Sunday, April 4, 2009 at the Leading Spas of Canada Annual Conference at the Le Meridien King Edward in Toronto. Both Dr. Smeltzer and Vivienne O’Keeffe have been instrumental in the creation and development of this important program.
You may also contact Wanda Love directly at 604-662-3411 for more information or at wanda@leadingspasofcanada.com
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.
