For Clubs, Groups & ProjectsCAT MARK 
The CAT mark is a mark of quality, awarded by young people, for any organisations providing services to young people.
What is the CAT mark?
The CAT mark is a stamp of approval for young people’s services. It is awarded by young people who have been trained as CAT-mark assessors. They assess services, organisations and projects against set conditions. The conditions are as follows.
• Involving young people
• The safety, security and well being of young people
• Equal opportunities for all young people
• Links to other services
• Environment and resources
• Availability of support
Being awarded a CAT mark shows a commitment to providing a good quality service, which successfully meets the needs of all young people.
CAT stands for the Care Action Team. It was Hampshire’s Care Action Team who recognised the need for young people to have their say and be involved in assessing young people’s services.
Who can apply for a CAT mark?
Any organisation that provides a service for young people can apply, such as children’s homes, youth projects, schools, information and advice services, and health services.
How can my organisation apply for a CAT mark?
You can apply for a CAT mark by filling in the form by following the link on this web page and then returning it to the address provided or emailing it to us.
If you want to put forward an organisation for the CAT mark, let us know who they are by using the form. We can send them information about the CAT mark and how to apply.
Download CAT Mark Booking Form
Once completed, you can submit your form electonically by clicking on the words 'email your enquiry' at the bottom of the form or you can print and return your form to: CAT Mark, Youth Clubs Hampshire and Isle of Wight, The St Thomas Centre, 20 Southgate Street, Winchester, SO23 9EF.
CAT mark assessors
CAT-mark assessors are young people aged between 13 and 25 who understand the needs of young people. They use this knowledge to assess the services that are designed for them.
Assessors will visit the organisations that have applied for the CAT mark and check them against the set conditions.
They complete their assessment by writing a simple report to present to the organisation. This report will highlight strengths and areas for development.
The assessors will decide whether the organisation should receive a CAT mark.
What do I have to do to become an assessor?
If you are interested, we will train you to become an assessor. You will need to give up some of your time for the training, so think carefully about what other commitments you have. The training will last for one day and you will need to have time to carry out the assessments. Your expenses will be paid.
To find out more, fill in the form by following the link on this web page and then returning it to the address provided or emailing it to us. Once we have received your form, we will contact you with more information.
We have 3 training events coming up for Young People to become new CAT Mark assessors:
Dowload CAT Mark Training Info and Booking form
Once completed, you can submit your form electonically by clicking on the words 'email your enquiry' at the bottom of the form or you can print and return your form to: CAT Mark, Youth Clubs Hampshire and Isle of Wight, The St Thomas Centre, 20 Southgate Street, Winchester, SO23 9EF.
What I Got Out of It: A Cat Mark Assessor’s Story...
"What have I learned on becoming a cat mark assessor? Well, I have learned many useful skills that I use everyday. The first one being listening; this is such an important skill and I can see why you need it as an assessor because you are dealing with all ages, it’s not so much what people say it’s the information and feelings they are trying to convey to you. This has been immensely useful when working with young children and adults because not all their vocabulary has developed and their ability convey what they feel into words can be difficult, so by
having an open mind and well tuned listening skills you will quickly be able to understand what the person is trying to say to you and what they really feel.
Another skill I have learnt is empathy, I can now see different points of view on the same thing. This has given me a more objective view of life and I now have a greater understanding of equality and equal opportunities. Another skill is the understanding of disabilities. It has shown me that a disability can be more than just a broken leg its something that impairs peoples’ everyday living of their life. It has also allowed me to realise that my disabilities need not get in my way, and I can do anything if I work and try hard enough. But the most important lesson I learnt is that of community and the importance of work together and valuing peoples skills and abilities and compromising to gain an outcome that everyone can be proud of and feel that they have contributed to."
Zachary Allgood, CAT Mark Assessor
The Award Ceremonies
We recently hosted the 1st CAT mark Award Ceremony to celebrate the achievements of both the Young Assessors and the organisations who have been awarded the CAT mark. Here are some highlights of the event:
