risr/

Risr Assess Question Bank

Risr Assess provides a secure question bank to author, review, approve, and manage items. It supports version control, audit trails, tagging and blueprint alignment, and resource storage, enabling robust governance, reuse, and quality assurance across assessment programmes. The system can optionally be used for exam delivery also.

Features

• End-to-end question lifecycle management including authoring, review, approval, and maintenance
• Online question bank with item authoring, multimedia, and version control
• Segregated question banks by specialty, programme, role, or organisational unit
• Custom question approval workflows with multi-step review and sign-off stages
• Automatic rules-based test paper assembly using blueprints and item constraints
• Item performance metrics, quality indicators, and reporting to improve questions
• Bulk import/export of questions and metadata in standard formats
• Intuitive interface designed for clarity, ease of use, minimal training
• Export questions into external systems via files or API
• End-to-end encryption of exam data in transit and rest

Benefits

• Securely collaborate on question development across specialties with controlled access.
• Reduce content risk using version control, approvals, and audit trails.
• Improve question quality through structured review workflows and governance controls.
• Assemble test papers faster using automated blueprint and rule-based selection.
• Increase reuse by tagging and searching across large question repositories.
• Protect sensitive content with encryption and strict role-based permissions.
• Standardise item structure using templates, rubrics, and shared resources.
• Support continuous improvement using performance metadata and quality reporting.
• Streamline administration with bulk imports, exports, and metadata updates.
• Integrate question data into external systems using API integrations.

• Education pricing available

Service documents

• Pricing document

  PDF

• Service definition document

  PDF

• Terms and conditions

  PDF

Request an accessible format

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need versions of these documents in a more accessible format, email the supplier at sales@risr.global. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.

Framework

G-Cloud 15

Service ID

861113236570737

Contact

Paul Glover
07525833616
sales@risr.global

About the service

• Service categories:

  Applications

  Production and operations

  Service industry and public sector operations

  • Healthcare
  • Education
  • Police
  • Defence
  • Adult Social Care
  • Children's Social Care
  • Other
• Multi cloud support: No

Service scope

• Software add-on or extension: Yes, but can also be used as a standalone service
• What software services is the service an extension to: The Risr Assess Question Bank solution is part of the overall Risr eAssessment platform, and can be used in conjunction with our written and observed (OSCE/Oral/Viva) exams delivery functionality within Risr Assess, our booking system Risr Apply, and our ePortfolio, CPD and learning portal Risr Advance.
• Cloud deployment model: Public cloud
• Service constraints: There are no specific constraints in the usage of the system. End users will require a device that meets the minimum device requirements.
• System requirements:
  • Minimum device, browser and internet specifications
  • Minimum volume licence fees apply

User support

• Email or online ticketing support: Yes
• Support response times: Support queries can be submitted at any time, with standard support included as part of the SaaS service. Risr offers support at two levels - standard day-to-day support for administration of the platform, and elevated exam-day support, with extended hours and response SLAs. Day-to-day support is provided during UK business hours, with P1 issues responded to within 4hrs, and P2 issues within 8 hours. Enhanced support packages are available for customers requiring extended hours or faster response times, particularly around high-stakes delivery periods. These have response times of 5 minutes for P1 issues, and 8 minutes for P2 issues.
• User can manage status and priority of support tickets: Yes
• Online ticketing support accessibility: WCAG 2.2 AA
• Phone support: Yes
• Phone support availability: 24 hours, 7 days a week
• Web chat support: Yes, at an extra cost
• Web chat support availability: 24 hours, 7 days a week
• Web chat support accessibility standard: WCAG 2.2 AA
• Web chat accessibility testing: Web chat support for Risr Assess is delivered using third-party tools, which may be embedded into the platform via an accessibility-compliant interface plugin or accessed through a separate support portal. Where the chat interface is integrated into the Risr Assess platform, it forms part of our accessibility testing scope. This includes validation against WCAG 2.2 AA criteria to ensure compatibility with assistive technologies such as screen readers, keyboard navigation, and text resizing tools.; ; The embedded chat interface follows the same standards-based approach as the rest of the platform, supporting predictable navigation, clear labelling, and accessible interaction patterns. For standalone support tools hosted externally, accessibility testing is the responsibility of the third-party provider. We select vendors that demonstrate compliance with recognised accessibility standards and periodically review their published conformance documentation.; ; Our aim is to ensure that all users, including those relying on assistive technologies, can access real-time support when needed. Where required, we will work with institutions or users to test the support experience within specific configurations, or provide alternative channels to ensure equitable access to assistance during high-stakes assessment activity.
• Onsite support: Yes, at extra cost
• Support levels: Risr’s service is delivered with our standard support service included as part of the licence fee. We will work with the customer through the Risr Readiness Assessment process to identify and plan the most appropriate levels of support to ensure a high-quality, responsive user support system is provisioned.; ; Standard Support; Our standard support includes Service Desk support, Online Knowledge Base, Regular Service Reviews with an Account Manager, Continuous Product Development & Enhancement and Access to Customer-focused User Groups.; ; All of our services are contracted with standard SLAs and SLGs. Additional support requirements can be agreed in conjunction with Risr. Risr uses automated monitoring to ensure that the system is performing within internally set performance thresholds 24/7, with team members automatically notified if any issues are identified.; ; Enhanced Support; Additional enhanced technical support is available as an optional extra, once the solution has been fully implemented, and the customer has transitioned to Business As Usual. This may be in the form of additional on-site resources, live chat support, or live telephone support for peak periods (such as exam days, booking windows, or submission deadlines)."
• Support available to third parties: Yes
• AI chatbot: No

Onboarding and offboarding

• Getting started: Risr provides comprehensive support to help users begin using the service with confidence. Our structured implementation approach is tailored to each organisation and draws on extensive experience delivering mission-critical digital assessment solutions for universities, professional bodies, and training providers.; ; Support begins with discovery and readiness analysis to ensure system configuration aligns with organisational needs. This is followed by training and familiarisation sessions, which can be delivered through in-person or remote workshops. We also provide detailed user documentation, including an online Knowledge Base, FAQs, and support collateral to guide users through key tasks.; ; Pilot and live launch support are included to ensure a smooth transition to operational use. Configuration support, project management, and professional services such as migration and integration are provided as part of the implementation process. Enhanced support packages are available for customers with complex or high-stakes delivery requirements.; ; This approach ensures that institutions are fully supported in creating, managing, and delivering assessments on Risr Assess. By combining structured onboarding with flexible support options, we ensure users are equipped with the knowledge, tools, and confidence needed to use the platform effectively.
• Service documentation: Yes
• Documentation formats:
  • HTML
  • PDF
• End-of-contract data extraction: Risr has a defined offboarding process to support customers at the end of their contract. A full copy of all customer data is provided free of charge within 30 days of contract termination. This includes all exam content, question bank items, candidate data, results, metadata, and timestamped audit trails. Data is delivered in a machine-readable format, enabling onward processing or import into alternative systems.; ; Customers retain full intellectual property rights over all content created or stored within Risr Assess. Risr operates solely as a Data Processor and does not assert ownership over any customer data or exam materials.; ; If required, optional migration services can be provided on a professional services basis. These services may include data transformation or assistance with importing data into a third-party platform, and are scoped and charged according to standard consultancy rates.; ; Access to the platform can be temporarily extended after data extraction to support validation. Once the customer confirms the transition is complete, Risr securely deletes all remaining data in accordance with GDPR and ISO27001 standards. This ensures that customer data is handled responsibly and in line with regulatory and contractual obligations throughout the offboarding process.
• End-of-contract process: At the end of the contract, Risr follows a defined offboarding process to ensure a smooth and secure transition. A complete export of customer data is included at no additional cost and is provided within 30 days of termination. This includes all authored content, question bank material, candidate results, metadata, and audit trails. Data is delivered in a machine-readable format suitable for reuse or migration. Customers retain full ownership of their data and content. Temporary access to the platform can be arranged to allow for validation prior to secure deletion, which is carried out in line with GDPR and ISO27001 standards.; ; The extraction and transfer of data is included in the price of the contract, as is limited post-contract access to support validation. There is no charge for the core offboarding process. Once data has been retrieved, the system will be securely decommissioned.; ; Additional costs may apply if the customer requires support beyond standard data export - for example, professional services to assist with data transformation, mapping, or importing content into a new platform. These services are optional and quoted based on the scope of the migration or third-party system.
• Documentation accessibility standard: WCAG 2.2 AA

Using the service

• Web browser interface: Yes
• Supported browsers:
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Firefox
  • Chrome
  • Safari
  • Opera
• Application to install: No
• Designed for use on mobile devices: Yes
• Differences between the mobile and desktop service: Risr Assess offers a consistent experience across desktop and mobile devices, with a responsive interface that adapts to different screen sizes, and full functionality available. All core functionality is accessible via modern web browsers without requiring a dedicated app. Administrative tasks such as exam setup, authoring and reporting are available on mobile, but are generally more efficient on larger screens.
• Service interface: Yes
• User support accessibility: WCAG 2.2 AA
• Description of service interface: Risr Assess provides a standards-based, accessible interface for question banking and content authoring. The platform supports keyboard navigation, screen readers, adjustable zoom and text, and compatibility with assistive technologies. Authors and reviewers benefit from consistent navigation, colour coded actions, and templated page layouts for creating, editing, and reviewing items. The interface is optimised for clarity and low cognitive load, with stable navigation and clear status indicators to support intuitive usage across question authoring, workflow management, and bank administration.
• Accessibility standards: WCAG 2.2 AA
• Accessibility testing: Risr Assess has been tested with a wide range of assistive technologies to ensure accessibility for users who author, review, and manage question bank content. This includes third-party tools and built-in operating system functionality such as screen readers, text-to-speech, and browser-based features used for navigation, magnification, and visual adjustment. Testing is conducted across multiple platforms and browsers to ensure consistent behaviour, appropriate content structure, and correct focus management.; ; The platform is built using standards-based design principles that promote compatibility with commonly used assistive technologies without requiring specific configurations. Our approach supports users working with their preferred tools and devices, and we do not enforce a prescribed setup. Where organisations have specific accessibility tooling or device configurations, we can provide guidance and compatibility checks to support their operational use of the question bank.; ; Accessibility remains a core part of our QA process, with assistive technology testing included as part of product updates to maintain alignment with accessibility expectations. Feedback from users with access needs is welcomed, and we will work directly with customers to address reasonable adjustments or accessibility-related support requirements.
• API: Yes
• What users can and can't do using the API: Risr Assess offers a comprehensive suite of RESTful APIs that enable customers to integrate question bank data into their wider digital ecosystem. Customers can use the API to create and manage users, synchronise metadata and blueprint frameworks, access question bank content within permitted scope, and export item data for reporting, review, or downstream analysis. These APIs support secure, reliable data exchange and can be used to automate administrative processes or integrate with systems such as CRMs, LMSs, and data warehouses.; ; Each customer is provided with curated API access based on their operational use cases, ensuring both security and system stability. API endpoints are made available via a secure portal with full OpenAPI documentation, including request and response schemas, authentication requirements, and usage examples. Customers can make changes to the service such as updating user records or scheduling exams through authenticated API calls.; ; Access is scoped based on need, and customers cannot make direct changes to core configuration settings such as site configuration, interface layouts, or workflows via API. All API usage is authenticated, versioned, and forward-compatible. Support is available for technical implementation, and updates are communicated in advance through formal release processes.
• API documentation: Yes
• API documentation formats: Open API (also known as Swagger)
• API sandbox or test environment: Yes
• Customisation available: Yes
• Description of customisation: Risr Assess provides a high level of customisation to support question banking aligned to each organisation’s assessment model, governance structure, and operational needs. Customisation is performed within the platform by customer administrators, with support from Risr where required. No development or coding is needed, and changes are made through the user interface.; ; Question bank content can be fully tailored, including question structure, mark schemes, tagging, blueprint alignment, and associated resources. Organisations can configure marking schemes, scoring rules, and quality standards to ensure the bank reflects their academic and regulatory requirements. Approval workflows can be customised to include multiple review and sign-off steps for question authoring and maintenance, supporting robust governance.; ; Role-based access and permissions can be configured to align with internal responsibilities, allowing fine-grained control over who can view, edit, or approve content. Metadata structures, such as curriculum frameworks, learning outcomes, and demographic fields, can also be customised to support reporting and analytics. Customised feedback reports can be templated on the system, allowing organisations to tailor what information is shared with candidates post-exam.

Scaling

• Independence of resources: All customers are provided with their own organisational instance, logically separated from others. Risr uses Amazon Web Services as our cloud services partner, allowing us to easily adjust system capacity in order to maintain performance and responsiveness. Right-sizing of system resources is used, as well as automated monitoring and alarms to ensure that system loads can be accommodated, and users are able to author exam content successfully. Extensive load testing is performed on the system, ensuring that many thousands of concurrent users can successfully interact with the platform.

Analytics

• Service usage metrics: Yes
• Metrics types: Real-time dashboards and reports available within the system. These are highly configurable to include usage, roles, activity and access. The number of candidates, exams, results, outcomes and assessment performance data can be reported on directly within the system. System availability metrics are provided, enabling active monitoring against defined SLAs. SLAs for service issues are also tracked and visible within the service portal.
• Reporting types:
  • API access
  • Real-time dashboards
  • Regular reports
  • Reports on request
• Resource tagging: Yes
• FOCUS resource tagging: No

Supplier type

• Supplier type: Not a reseller

Staff security

• Staff security clearance: Other security clearance
• Government security clearance: Developed Vetting (DV)

Asset protection

• Knowledge of data storage and processing locations: Yes
• Data storage and processing locations:
  • United Kingdom
  • European Economic Area (EEA)
• User control over data storage and processing locations: Yes
• Datacentre security standards: Complies with a recognised standard (for example CSA CCM version 4.0)
• Penetration testing frequency: At least once a year
• Penetration testing approach: ‘IT Health Check’ performed by a CREST-approved service provider
• Protecting data at rest:
  • Physical access control, complying with CSA CCM v4.0
  • Physical access control, complying with SSAE-18 / ISAE 3402
  • Encryption of all physical media
• Data sanitisation process: Yes
• Equipment disposal approach: Complying with a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v4.0, CAS (Sanitisation) or ISO/IEC 27001
• Data sanitisation type:
  • Deleted data can’t be directly accessed / Cryptographic Erasure
  • Data Erasure
  • Explicit overwriting of storage before reallocation / Secure Erase

Data importing and exporting

• Data export approach: A wide range of data can be exported in bulk from the system, and imported into external systems. This includes, but is not limited to, user data, questions, exam papers, results, grades, scores and outcomes.; ; This data is available in XLSX, CSV and PDF formats, as well as QTI and other file formats where appropriate, on an on-demand basis. Additionally data is available in JSON format via the Risr API. All data entered by the customer remains the property of the customer, and a full export of this can be provided on request.
• Data export formats:
  • CSV
  • Other
• Other data export formats:
  • PDF
  • XLSX
  • QTI
  • DOCX
• Data import formats:
  • CSV
  • Other
• Other data import formats:
  • PDF
  • QTI
  • XLSX
  • JSON

Data-in-transit protection

• Data protection between buyer and supplier networks: TLS (version 1.2 or above)
• Data protection within supplier network: TLS (version 1.2 or above)

Availability and resilience

• Guaranteed availability: Risr's eAssessment Platform Service Modules are delivered with our standard support service included as part of the Service Module Licence Fees. Our standard support includes:; - Standard Monitored Service Desk Support (UK Business Hours); - Standard Service Module Knowledge Base Support (24x7x365); - Service Module User Group Access; - Service Management Reviews ; - Continuous Product/Service Development Releases; ; The Service is hosted on AWS and has a 99.9% availability SLA and 99.999999999% durability SLA, excluding UK public and bank holidays and scheduled downtime. Scheduled downtime affecting system availability will not exceed 8 hours per month and must be done outside customer UK business hours Mon-Fri unless otherwise agreed with the Customer.; ; In the event that risr/ does not meet the service level availability Uptime Percentage commitment, Risr will provide the customer with applicable SLA Credits. The SLA Credit shall be for each period of downtime lasting longer than [one hour]. Risr will credit the Customer the percentage (%) of Service fees (on a monthly basis) for each period of 60 or more consecutive; minutes of downtime; provided that no more than one such credit will accrue per day. All other warranties as provided in the Master Services Agreement (MSA) remain.
• Approach to resilience: Risr Assess question banking is hosted on a resilient, cloud-based architecture designed for high availability and consistent performance. The service is engineered to tolerate component failures through redundant infrastructure and managed cloud services, helping ensure that authoring, review, and administration activities remain available during unexpected disruption. Continuous monitoring is in place across key platform services, with automated alerting thresholds to support rapid detection and response to incidents. Data protection is supported through routine backups and controlled restore procedures, and operational resilience is reinforced through documented business continuity and incident management processes.; ; Resilience is also supported through disciplined engineering controls. Changes to application code and configuration are managed through formal change control and release management, reducing the risk of unplanned outages caused by updates. Performance and stability are validated through regular testing and monitoring of real-world usage metrics, supporting reliable access for concurrent users working within the question bank.
• Outage reporting: Risr uses continuous monitoring across its platform to detect potential outages or performance issues, with automated alarms and threshold-based alerts in place. These monitoring systems track key service indicators in real time and are designed to identify issues before they impact users, supporting rapid response and resolution.; ; In the event of a service incident, communication with the customer is initiated promptly by the assigned Account and Relationship Manager via email. This ensures that designated contacts are informed about the nature of the issue, the current status, and any actions being taken to resolve it.; ; Customers can also raise tickets at any time through the standard support channels. These are triaged and tracked according to defined priority levels, ensuring incidents are logged and responded to appropriately.; ; In addition to direct communication, Risr offers API endpoints for selected platform services that allow customers to monitor system availability programmatically. These can be integrated into the customer’s own monitoring tools to support internal visibility and alerting workflows.; ; All incidents are reviewed internally, with follow-up actions and root cause analysis carried out where appropriate.

Identity and authentication

• User authentication needed: Yes
• User authentication:
  • Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
  • Identity federation with existing provider (for example Google Apps)
  • Username or password
• Access restrictions in management interfaces and support channels: Risr Assess uses role-based access controls to restrict management functionality to authorised users. Customer administrators configure user permissions and define who can access specific areas of the system. Access to support channels is limited to local organisation administrators, and all user actions are recorded in the audit trail. Access can be revoked at any time by the customer or by an authorised administrator. The system also supports secure authentication methods for infrastructure management, including public key authentication and TLS client certificates, ensuring that only verified users can access sensitive functions and data.
• Access restriction testing frequency: At least once a year
• Management access authentication:
  • Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
  • Public key authentication (including by TLS client certificate)
  • Username or password

Audit information for users

• Access to user activity audit information: Users have access to real-time audit information
• How long user audit data is stored for: At least 12 months
• Access to supplier activity audit information: Users contact the support team to get audit information
• How long supplier audit data is stored for: At least 12 months
• How long system logs are stored for: At least 12 months

Security governance

• Named board-level person responsible for service security: Yes
• Security governance certified: Yes
• Security governance standards: ISO/IEC 27001
• Information security policies and processes: Risr maintains a mature and independently certified information security framework aligned with ISO/IEC 27001, Cybersecurity Essentials Plus, CSA STAR Level 2, and SSAE-18/SOC 2. Security and data protection are led at board level, with accountability embedded into corporate governance. Policies and controls are regularly reviewed through formal audit and penetration testing programmes, with findings tracked through a risk management framework.; ; We operate a full Information Security Management System (ISMS) that includes policies covering access control, encryption, acceptable use, endpoint protection, vulnerability management, business continuity, incident response, and media disposal. These policies are mapped to GDPR and ISO27001 requirements. Key safeguards include encryption of data in transit and at rest, secure development practices following OWASP principles, regular vulnerability scanning, remote logging, and structured change control.; ; Continuous compliance monitoring is also in place to ensure that controls remain aligned with the required frameworks over time, not just at audit points. Risr uses tools directly integrated with our infrastructure to monitor control effectiveness, complementing SIEM capabilities to provide comprehensive oversight across technical, procedural, and governance layers throughout the contract lifecycle.; ; Detailed guidance and information can be provided on request, and more information can be found at trust.risr.global
• Software Security Code of Practice: Yes

Operational security

• Configuration and change management standard: Complies with a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v4.0 or SSAE-18 / ISAE 3402
• Configuration and change management approach: As part of the Software as a Service offering, configuration and changes are managed and tracked in-line with our standard process via change requests raised in the ticketing system, including bug fixes, configuration changes, source code changes.; Changes are tracked and monitored, via secure role-based approval processes and reported on at regular development and service change reviews. Changes are fully auditable and tested and must include, who raised the change, the reason, security risk (in-line with ISMS and GDPR) and the output expected. Changes also include responsibility / impact / value of the change along with the assigned resource.
• Vulnerability management type: Complies with a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v4.0 or SSAE-18 / ISAE 3402
• Vulnerability management approach: Initial identification of assets to be protected takes place and the threats that may exist to them. Each asset is assigned a risk and impact assessment, and this is used to develop a risk treatment plan (where risks are mitigated, accepted, eliminated, or transferred). We have a fast track release procedure for critical fixes and patches, that allows low risk fixes to be rapidly deployed. We subscribe to industry standard security notification sources. A standardised vulnerability scoring framework is used to prioritise vulnerabilities.
• Protective monitoring type: Complies with a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v4.0 or SSAE-18 / ISAE 3402
• Protective monitoring approach: A range of methods are used to identify potential compromises. All access to servers is centrally logged and monitored in a SIEM system, and intelligent threat detection systems such as AWS Guard Duty are used to detect anomalous activity on the system. Alerts are configured, and administrators notified. After a potential compromise has been detected, the information security manager is notified. There will then be an investigation and analysis of the severity of the compromise and a plan of action decided. Internally, security incidents are highly prioritised, and we make all reasonable efforts to address them immediately.
• Incident management type: Complies with a recognised standard, for example, CSA CCM v4.0 or ISO/IEC 27035:2011 or SSAE-18 / ISAE 3402
• Incident management approach: An incident management and breach response plan is in place. These are tested against prospective incidents, and specify roles and responsibilities. This includes a communications and contacts plan, and notification to affected customers in an appropriate time frame. Users can report incidents through the service desk, and indicate a severity level. Our response to the incident will be through the service desk, and other appropriate communication channels. Incident reports and root cause analysis is performed for severe and critical incidents.
• Post-quantum cryptography secure: No

Secure development

• Approach to secure software development best practice: Independent review of processes (for example CESG CPA Build Standard, ISO/IEC 27034, ISO/IEC 27001 or CSA CCM v4.0)

Public sector networks

• Connection to public sector networks: No

Pricing

• Discount for educational organisations: Yes
• Free trial available: No

Discount percentage by annual call-off contract value (excluding VAT)

• Less than £250,000: 2%
• Between £250,000 and £500,000: 4%
• Between £500,001 and £1,000,000: 6%
• Between £1,000,001 and £2,500,000: 8%
• Between £2,500,001 and £5,000,000: 10%
• Over £5,000,001: 12%

Standards and certifications

• ISO/IEC 27001 certification: Yes
• ISO/IEC 27001 accredited by: Intercert
• ISO/IEC 27001 accreditation date: Thursday 26 December 2024
• What the ISO/IEC 27001 doesn’t cover: Information Security Management System at Fry-IT Limited applies to technical infrastructure, applications and systems that ensure delivery of its cloud-based product services to its customers. It also includes technical activities which holds, obtain, share or manage customer and business data; and the business functions of HR, Engineering, Product management, Customer Support, Sales & Marketing, and Finance.
• ISO 28000:2022 certification: No
• ISO 9001 certification: No
• Quality management systems (QMS): Yes
• CSA STAR certification: Yes
• CSA STAR accreditation date: Tuesday 7 January 2025
• CSA STAR certification level: Level 2: CSA STAR Attestation
• What the CSA STAR doesn’t cover: The risr/ platform and associated professional services; all business functions; including HR, Engineering, Product management, Customer Support, Sales &; Marketing, and Finance are all within scope.
• PCI certification: No
• Cyber essentials: No
• Cyber Essentials Alternative: In relation to the services you do not have a current and valid Cyber Essentials certificate which has been awarded by one of the government approved Cyber Essentials accreditation bodies but you are working towards gaining it, and will be in a position to confirm that you have been awarded a current and valid Cyber Essentials certificate by one of the government approved accreditation bodies within 12 months of the date of award.
• Cyber essentials plus: No
• Cyber Essentials Alternative: In relation to the services you do not have a current and valid Cyber Essentials Plus certificate which has been awarded by one of the government approved Cyber Essentials accreditation bodies but you are working towards gaining it, and will be in a position to confirm that you have been awarded a current and valid Cyber Essentials Plus certificate by one of the government approved accreditation bodies within 12 months of the date of award.
• Other security certifications: Yes
• Any other security certifications: SSAE-18 / SOC 2

Social value

• Mission: Kick start economic growth:

  To secure the highest sustained growth in the G7 - with good jobs and productivity growth in every part of the country making everyone, not just a few, better off.

  Policy Outcome 1: Fair work: That offers fair wages and good working conditions. Help people get a job, stay in work, and progress in their careers, with good employment opportunities across the country. Notes: Where there is a large proportion of labour costs in the contract, commercial teams should consider MAC in Outcome 1 as a priority

  • New or retained jobs on the contract workforce in the relevant area that meet the criteria set out in MAC 1b, 1c and 1d
  • Providing opportunities for, and measuring and monitoring of, staff workforce conditions over time, including employee engagement, involvement in decision-making and satisfaction and adapting to any changes in the results, with clear processes for acting on issues identified
  • Plans to engage the contract workforce in deciding the most important workplace issues to address
  • Ensuring new workers are informed of their right to join a trade union
  • Monitoring of employee engagement rates (by protected characteristic) and, where necessary, the development of actions to ensure all voices are heard across the diversity of the workforce
  • Employment contracts that reflect actual hours worked; steps taken to ensure employees understand their contracts and have the ability to review and adjust them if actual hours regularly exceed contracted hours
  • Activities that support an environment where staff are educated about, and feel empowered to, address their physical wellbeing
  • Activities that support an environment where staff are educated about and feel empowered to report and address bullying and harassment
  • Offer a pay and leave entitlement to all eligible staff who become kinship carers, ideally equivalent to statutory adoption pay and leave
  • Payment of more than the National Minimum Wage or National Living Wage (as appropriate) to the contract workforce
  • Monitoring and reporting of gender and ethnicity pay gaps and plans to address them where necessary
  • Entitlement to sick pay for the contract workforce, with provision in place for any staff who do not meet the earnings threshold for statutory sick pay, payment of sick pay from day one of absence and payment of staff on the contract workforce who are off sick a replacement income of 100% of their usual earnings for as long as possible
  • Understanding of in-work progression issues affecting the market, industry or sector relevant to the contract, and in the supplier’s own organisation and those of its key sub-contractors
  • Measures to support in-work progression to help people in the contract workforce, to move into higher paid work by developing new skills relevant to the contract
  • Support for the contract workforce by providing career advice, and providing opportunities for staff working on the contract with in-work progression career development into known skills shortages or high growth areas
  • Support for educational attainment relevant to the contract, including training schemes that address skills gaps and result in recognised qualifications
  • Volunteering opportunities for staff
  • Understanding of the modern slavery risks and issues affecting the market, industry, sector or country (of origin or of source) relevant to the contract, and the workforce in the supplier’s own organisation and those of its key subcontractors
  • Outline policies and practices to be applied to or put in place for the contract to mitigate and manage modern slavery risks, including: Pre-employment checks, recruitment practices. Workplace conditions, safeguarding plans and processes in place and regular monitoring with relevant groups considered, which may include sampling
  • How to ensure business decisions re: price/cost, short lead times, payment timescales do not create modern slavery risks in the supply chain

  Policy Outcome 2: Skills for growth: Supporting growth sectors and addressing skills gaps.

  • Understanding of employment and relevant skills issues, and of the education and training issues relating to the contract. Illustrative examples: demographics, skills shortages, new opportunities in high growth sectors, geographic/local community and skills/employment challenges
  • Activities to support relevant sector related skills growth and sustainability in the contract workforce. Illustrative examples: careers talks, curriculum support, literacy support, safety talks and volunteering

  Policy Outcome 3: Resilient, innovative and flexible supply chains: Support economic growth through enabling resilient businesses, opportunities for small businesses and voluntary, community and social enterprises

  • Understanding of the types of businesses in the market and the level of participation by new businesses, entrepreneurs, start-ups, SMEs, VCSEs and mutuals
  • Activities to identify opportunities to open up sub-contracts under the prime contract to a diverse range of businesses, including new businesses, entrepreneurs, start-ups, SMEs, VCSEs and mutuals
  • Activities that demonstrate a collaborative way to work with a diverse range of businesses as part of the supply chain
  • Ensuring accessibility to contracting and subcontracting opportunities for disabled business owners and employees
  • Structuring of the supply chain selection process to ensure fairness (e.g. anti-corruption) and encourages participation by a diverse range of businesses, including with regard to new businesses, entrepreneurs, start-ups, SMEs, VCSEs and mutual
  • Methods for engaging with different parts of the community (including the education system and charities representing the community) and how communities come together to inform decisions, strategy and projects to leave a positive legacy for future generations
  • Plans to respond flexibly and adapt approaches to community engagement and initiatives
  • Collaborating with anchor institutions and community groups to make facilities available for education, training or community events
• Mission: Make Britain a clean energy superpower:

  To cut bills, create jobs and deliver security with cheaper, zero-carbon electricity by 2030, accelerating to net zero

  Policy Outcome 4: Sustainable procurement practices: Reducing carbon footprints, minimising waste, and promoting the use of clean energy and green technologies.

  • Understanding of opportunities for additional environmental benefits delivery in the performance of the contract, including working towards net zero carbon emissions and use of clean energy and green technologies
  • Collaborative ways of working with the supply chain to deliver additional environmental benefits in the performance of the contract, including working towards net zero carbon emissions and use of clean energy and green technologies
  • Delivery of additional environmental benefits through the performance of the contract, including working towards net zero carbon emissions and use of clean energy and green technologies
  • Understanding of how to influence staff, suppliers, customers, communities and/or any other appropriate stakeholders through the delivery of the contract to support climate and nature protection and improvement
• Mission: Break down barriers to opportunity:

  By reforming our childcare and education systems, to make sure there is no class ceiling on the ambitions of young people in Britain

  Policy Outcome 6: Employment and training: For those who face barriers to employment

  • Understanding of employment and skills issues, and of the skills and employment shortages of high growth sectors relating to the contract
  • Advertising, promotional and outreach activities designed to raise awareness of the offer to reach the target cohort
  • Understanding of the issues affecting the representation of disabled people in the workforce in the market, industry or sector relevant to the contract, and in the supplier’s own organisation and those of its key sub-contractors
  • Collection of the views and expertise of disabled people and their representative organisations on successfully supporting disabled employees or applicants
  • Inclusive and accessible recruitment practices, and retention-focused activities, including those provided in the Guide for line managers on recruiting, managing and developing people with a disability or health condition
  • Introducing transparency to pay and reward processes
  • Working conditions which promote an inclusive working environment and promote retention and progression
  • Other measures to provide equality of opportunity for disabled people and those with health conditions into employment, including becoming a Disability Confident employer and inclusion of supported businesses in the contract supply chain
  • Understanding of the issues affecting inequality in employment, skills and pay in the market, industry or sector relevant to the contract, and in the supplier’s own organisation and those of its key sub-contractors. Measures to tackle inequality in employment, skills and pay in the contract workforce
  • Inclusive and accessible development practices, including guidance for line managers on recruiting, managing and developing people with a disability or health condition

  Policy Outcome 7: Creating a pipeline of opportunities: For the contract workforce, reducing barriers to entry for under-represented groups.

  • Advertising, promotional and outreach activities designed to raise awareness of the offer to reach the target cohort
  • Understanding of issues relating to entering the contract workforce
  • Creation of outreach activities to create a pipeline of employees for the future contract delivery
  • Content of the outreach activity is designed to suit the target cohort
• Mission: Build an NHS fit for the future:

  That is there when people need it; with fewer lives lost to the biggest killers; in a fairer Britain, where everyone lives well for longer.

  Policy Outcome 8: Increasing productivity through physical and mental wellbeing: In the supply chain and communities in the relevant area.

  • Understanding of issues relating to health and wellbeing, including physical and mental health, in the contract workforce
  • Understanding barriers to access to health and social care services or employment opportunities e.g. digital inclusion
  • Inclusive and accessible recruitment practices, development practices and retention policies that support-focused activities including those provided in the Guide for line managers on recruiting, managing and developing which support people with a disability or health condition
  • Actions to invest in the physical and mental health and wellbeing of the contract workforce

Service documents

• Pricing document

  PDF

• Service definition document

  PDF

• Terms and conditions

  PDF

Request an accessible format

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need versions of these documents in a more accessible format, email the supplier at sales@risr.global. Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.