PASSING

What is PASSING?

A TOOL FOR ANALYZING SERVICE QUALITY ACCORDING TO SOCIAL ROLE VALORIZATION – PASSING is an instrument for evaluating the quality of any human service according to how well it implements Social Role Valorization theory. The following text from the Training Institute for Human Service Planning, Leadership and Change Agentry describes the latest version of the PASSING tool.

Full text of Overview_of_PASSING

Passing Manual 2007 – excerpt-sample

To purchase the PASSING Manual

History of PASSING

PASSING – A Tool For Analyzing Service Quality According to Social Role Valorization Criteria – is a program evaluation tool with a venerable history.  In the following article, published in 2007, Susan Thomas and Wolf Wolfensberger review this history and describe the features of the latest version of assessment method.

Full text of History of PASSING – Thomas & Wolfensberger 2007

Passing Workshop

There are different ways of teaching PASSING. The attached text is a description of a typical 4 ½ ‐ 5 day introductory PASSING workshop that involves participants in field experiences with two practicum service sites, as explained below.

Description of a PASSING workshop – 2015.pdf

PASSING serves as an evaluation instrument which analyzes the quality of a human service from an SRV perspective. Using 42 different ratings which examine in great detail aspects the service’s success at using measures that enhance both the image and the competencies of the people it serves. PASSING is conducted using a team approach by highly trained and qualified PASSING raters, and uses intensive data collection methods of observation, interview, and records review, over a multi-day evaluation period.

PASSING workshops are conducted as a means to teach and clarify SRV to those who have completed an intensive 3 or 4 day theory course, in addition to preparing potential PASSING evaluators. Completion of a PASSING course can be considered a practicum to SRV, illustrating the principles of SRV within human services. The workshop and evaluation structure encourages each participant to view the service from a perspective of identification with the people served, and asks that evaluators put aside service allegiance to focus on the identity of the people served, their needs and in what ways those needs are being met.

Attending a PASSING workshop is often an important development activity for those who are interested and impassioned by what they have learned in SRV theory workshops. For services committed to using SRV to help the people they serve have full, rich, and meaningful lives, arranging for a PASSING evaluation workshop to evaluate service quality and make recommendations for improvement can be very illuminating and helpful.


Wolf Wolfensberger - In honor of a Man & His Life's Work
SRV Journal - A helpful addition to the International SRV Training Culture