If we want to use the Competence Model for Youth Workers to Work Internationally to develop quality support measures, we need to give special attention to a series of elements. Harvey and Green (1993) listed the following elements in their Total Quality Management (TQM):

1. Ethics
2. Integrity
3. Trust
4. Training (process, contents and methodology)
5. Full involvement and participation of the learner
6. Quality culture and approach
7. Recognition
8. Communication (including partnerships)

This goes in line with the principles of non-formal learning as developed by Helmut Fennes and Hendrik Otten in Quality in non-formal education and training in the field of European youth work (2008).

Any assessment mechanisms should take the elements above into consideration. However, competences evolve and depend on their context. So any curriculum and quality standard is bound to be biased – no matter whether you use self or external assessment. Within youth work, we therefore recommend integrating other dimensions in quality assessment than only quality standards and indicators. We prefer a holistic and systemic approach to quality.