Con-qcf Requirements for Approved Centres

Qualifications and credit framework reQuirements for approved centres

JulY2013version 2

2Published by Cskills Awards, CITB-ConstructionSkills, Bircham Newton, Kings Lynn, Norfolk PE31 6RH

First published June 2010, Revised April 2011, September 2012, July 2013

Version 2

Construction Industry Training Board 2010

CITB, CIC and CITB Northern Ireland are working as ConstructionSkills, the Sector Skills Council for Construction. (CITB Registered Charity Number 264289)

Cskills Awards has made every effort to ensure that the information contained within this publication is accurate. This pack has been prepared as a downloadable resource. It may be freely printed without further permission from Cskills Awards on the condition that it is used solely within the purchasing organisation and is not used for profit or gain.

3contents Context and Scope 4

How to become a Cskills Awards approved centre 4

Adding additional qualifications/units 5

Equality of opportunity and diversity 5

Centres enquiries, appeals, complaints and conflicts of interest statement 6

Staff resource for the delivery of qualifications with NVQ in the title 6

Staff resource for the delivery of training qualifications 7

Data requirements for qualifications with NVQ in the title 8

Data requirements for training qualifications 8

Registration and certification 9

Delivery methodologies for qualifications with NVQ in the title 9

Delivery methodologies for training qualifications 10

Use of language in assessment for all qualifications 10

Quality assurance for qualifications with NVQ in the title 11

Quality assurance for training qualifications 11

External quality assurance 11

Malpractice 12

Withdrawal of centre 13

Appendix 1 - Centre approval criteria

Management and systems 14

Resource, equipment and staff 16

Learners 17

Assessment, training and quality assurance 18

Records 19

Appendix 2 - Exemptions for trainers and quality assurance staff working with training qualifications 20

Appendix 3 - Centre status

Centre status methodology 21

Persistence 21

Reoccurrences 21

Appendix 4 - Verb descriptors

Bibliography 22

Glossary 23

4context and scopecontextAs an awarding organisation recognised by Ofqual, Cskills Awards is responsible for the qualifications awarded under the brand of Cskills Awards. This means Cskills Awards must ensure all qualifications issued are safe and the assessment, training and internal quality assurance is robust.

This document has been designed by Cskills Awards to explain and amplify the regulatory publications for the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) and will form Cskills Awards requirements for approved centres. This document, through Appendix 1, will form the written enforceable agreement required by the Ofqual General Conditions of Recognition (November 2012).

scopeThe regulatory and external publications that form the scope of this document are:OfqualGeneralConditionsofRecognition(November2012)(Ofqual/12/5247)OfqualRegulatoryArrangementsfortheQualificationsandCreditFramework(2008)(Ofqual/08/3726)ConstructionSkillsSectorSkillsCouncils(SSCs)ConsolidatedAssessmentStrategyfortheQCF

(December 2010)OfqualOperatingRulesforUsingtheTermNVQinaQCFQualificationTitle(2008)(Ofqual/08/3760)JACQAguidelines(October2009)QCARegulatoryPrinciplesofE-assessment(2007)(QCA/07/3107)

How to become a cskills awards approved centreThis section describes how you become a Cskills Awards approved centre. The Centre approval criteria (Appendix 1) details the documents, processes and staff you will need to meet the requirements of both Cskills Awards and the regulators. To ensure a consistent approval process, Cskills Awards decisions will be based on the published Centre approval criteria (Appendix 1).

1. Your centre approval will allow you to operate in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. If you wish to deliver qualifications outside of these territories a separate approval and centre number will be required. Cskills Awards will apply the same level of quality assurance requirements to centres operating outside of England, Wales and Northern Ireland to ensure the integrity of our qualifications is upheld. By applying to become approved by Cskills Awards, you will accept this document or subsequent documents and agree to operate to the Centre approval criteria (Appendix 1) and Centre status (Appendix 3). Centre approval is subject to there being sufficient management experience required to support and manage the delivery of Cskills Awards qualifications. Centres must take all reasonable steps to comply with the Ofqual General Conditions of Recognition (November 2012).

2. Prior to your application you must ensure that you are registered as a learning provider with the United Kingdom Register of Learning Providers (UKRLP), and have a Provider Registration Number (PRN) (paragraphs 23 and 26).

3. If your centre has a partnership arrangement with another organisation, the roles, responsibilities and accountabilities for each organisation must be clearly documented. This needs to include responsibility for quality assurance, assessments and administration of the qualifications. You must also demonstrate how communication between the two organisations is maintained.

4. Cskills Awards will provide you with guidance and support to enable you to meet the approval requirements. Further support is available through the quality advisor team who are based across the United Kingdom. You can arrange an advisory visit to help you with the approval process by contacting Cskills Awards.

5. Once you have all the documents and processes in place you can complete your approval application online at www.cskills.org/awards. An approval visit will be agreed and arranged with you. Following the visit you will be given either an Action plan or Approval.

Cskills Awards will assign your customer co-ordinator who will be available on 0344 994 4020 as your single point of contact.

You will also receive a unique log-in for the Cskills Awards learner management system Awards Online. This system is used for learner registration, certification and invoicing.

5action plan5a. This is issued when the requirements have not been met in full and further work is required before approval can be given. A written action plan will give clear guidance and advice and realistic timescales for the actions to be completed. You will not be able to register any learners until the action plan has been completed and full approval has been given.

approval5b. This is given when all the requirements have been met and you have a robust quality system. Learners can be registered from the day of approval. If all of the requirements are not met but the fundamental principles of training and assessment are not affected, which are outlined in the Centre approval criteria (Appendix 1), you may be given approval and actions to complete to meet all of the requirements.

direct claims for new qualification/unit approvals (competence)5c. This is given when you have demonstrated an understanding of the assessment and quality processes and can provide evidence of assessment practice (observation of assessment), as well as at least five completed portfolios for sampling.

direct claims for new qualification/unit approvals (training)5d. This will be given when you have demonstrated an understanding of training delivery and internal quality assurance, and provided an opportunity to observe invigilation of synoptic and knowledge tests.

6. You must inform us if you cannot continue to meet Cskills Awards Centre approval criteria (Appendix 1). Notification can be made by contacting your customer co-ordinator.

adding additional qualifications/units7. You can apply for additional qualifications/units once you have been approved as a centre. This is an online process available on the website.

On receipt of your application Cskills Awards will contact you to book a visit or inform you if a desktop approval can be used to process your application. From time-to-time additional qualification/unit approvals may be declined. However, your quality advisor will work with you to resolve any issues.

desktop approval7a. This process is an option if you have been registered as an approved centre with us for more than 12 months, do not have any actions open and can demonstrate a robust quality assurance history. This means you have had no actions identified during the previous 12 months.

additional approval visits7b. If you have outstanding actions or your centre is newly approved, a visit will be required to approve the additional qualifications/units. Your quality assurance history since your centre has been approved will be taken into account.

direct claims for additional qualification/unit approvals (competence)7c. This is given when you have demonstrated an understanding of the assessment and quality processes and can provide evidence of assessment practice (observation of assessment), as well as at least five completed portfolios for sampling.

direct claims for additional qualification/unit approvals (training)7d. This will be given when you have demonstrated an understanding of training delivery and internal quality assurance, and provided an opportunity to observe invigilation of synoptic and knowledge tests.

equality of opportunity and diversityThe Cskills Awards Equality of Opportunity and Diversity and Reasonable Adjustments and Special Considerations policy, is available on the website.

8. You need to ensure you have an equality of opportunity and diversity policy that clearly details how learners can access the policy. The policy needs to take account of the most current legislation in relation to access to fair assessment and equal opportunities.

9. You need to record and evaluate learner data relating to achievement of units, qualifications and early leavers, identifying and monitoring trends between different groups of learners.

6centres enquiries, appeals, complaints and conflicts of interest statement10. You must be able to demonstrate that you have an up to date enquiries, appeals and complaints procedure for learners to enquire/appeal against assessment and testing decisions.

11. You must demonstrate how this is communicated to all learners registered on qualifications/units. The procedure must have a formal process with documented timescales and an opportunity for escalation if the appeal is not resolved. All appeals must be formally acknowledged upon receipt and conclusions formally communicated at the close of the appeal to all those involved.

12. You must have a documented complaints procedure that is made available for sampling during the quality advisor visit, including the individual complaints.

13. You are required to maintain an up to date conflicts of interest policy and log, that details the conflict and mitigation taken to manage conflicts. A conflict or perceived conflict can be defined as a situation in which a person has a private or personal interest sufficient to appear to influence the objective exercise of his or her official duties as, say, an assessor, an IQA, or an employee.

staff resource for the delivery of qualifications with nvQ in the title14. You are responsible for appointing appropriately qualified staff to carry out assessment and internal quality assurance and registering them with Cskills Awards before they carry out any assessment or internal quality assurance duties. To do this you must ensure an appropriate member of staff completes the assessment and training staff registration form available on the website. The assessor/internal quality assurer/trainer who is being registered must not complete the form.

15. You are responsible for demonstrating through written evidence how you have made your decision to appoint and register your assessors, internal quality assurers and trainers. Registration of staff who are not appropriately qualified will be subject to investigation.

assessors16. You must ensure your assessors conducting assessments for qualifications with NVQ in the title are occupationally competent to perform their role and provide them with opportunities for Continuous Professional Development (CPD). Cskills Awards can help through a range of events that can be found on the website.

Assessors must also:holdaLevel3AwardinAssessingCompetenceintheWorkEnvironmentorLevel3CertificateinAssessing

Vocational Achievement, an A1 Award in Assessing Candidates Using a Range of Methods, a D32/33 Assess Candidate Performance Using Differing Sources of Evidence, or achieve an appropriate learning and development qualification for assessment within 12 months of registration

beregisteredonanappropriatelearninganddevelopmentqualificationpriortoanyassessmentworkundertaken with learners if the assessor is unqualified

carryoutassessmentstotheagreedlearninganddevelopmentstandardshaveverifiableknowledgeoftheoccupationalstandardsatorabovethelevelbeingassessedkeepuptodatewithindustrypracticeforthedurationoftheirrolemeettheSSCs Consolidated Assessment Strategy for each qualification being assessed.

17. Unqualified assessors must have their assessment decisions countersigned by an occupationally competent and qualified assessor registered at your centre. The countersigning assessor must be occupationally competent in the relevant qualification/unit being countersigned. There must be a plan in place for the unqualified assessor to achieve their assessment learning and development qualification within set timescales. It is important to note the qualified assessor is making the assessment decision, not just signing the evidence.

7internal quality assurers18. You must ensure your internal quality assurers involved in the internal quality assurance of qualifications with NVQ in the title have the occupational expertise to perform their role, and you must provide them with opportunities for Continuous Professional Development (CPD). Cskills Awards can help through a range of events that can be found on the website.

Internal quality assurers must also:holdaLevel4AwardintheInternalQualityAssuranceofAssessmentProcessesandPracticeorLevel4

Certificate in Leading the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice, a V1 Award in Conducting Internal Quality Assurance of the Assessment Process, a D34 Internally Verify the Assessment Process, or achieve an appropriate learning and development qualification for internal quality assurance within 12 months of registration

carryoutinternalqualityassurancetotheagreedlearninganddevelopmentstandardsunderstandthecontent,structure,assessmentsandtraining/testingrequirementsoftheunitstheyarequality

assuring and any Rules of Combination (RoC) and exemptions that applyhavesufficientandrelevanttechnical/occupationalexpertiseinthequalifications/unitstheyareinternally

quality assuringbefullyconversantwiththestandardsandassessmentcriteriaintheunitstobeassessedmeettheSSCs Consolidated Assessment Strategy for internal quality assurance.

19. Unqualified internal quality assurers must have all quality assurance judgements countersigned by a qualified internal quality assurer with occupational expertise, who is registered at your centre. You must also ensure there is a plan in place for achieving their internal quality assuring learning and development qualification within set timescales but no more than 12 months after registration onto their qualification.

staff resource for the delivery of training qualificationstrainers20. You are responsible for appointing appropriately qualified staff to carry out training, and registering them with Cskills Awards before they are involved with the delivery of training qualifications. Registration of staff who are not appropriately qualified will be subject to investigation. To do this you must complete the assessment and training staff registration form available on the website. The trainer who is being registered must not complete the form. You must ensure trainers are occupationally competent to perform their role and provide them with opportunities for Continuous Professional Development (CPD).

Trainers must also:holdorbeworkingtowardsthelearninganddevelopmentqualificationLevel3AwardAssessingVocationally

Related Achievement, or one of Cskills Awards recognised Exemptions (Appendix 2)keepuptodatewithindustrybestpracticemaintainaContinuousProfessionalDevelopment(CPD)record.

Quality assurance staff21. You are responsible for appointing appropriately qualified staff to carry out quality assurance, and registering them with Cskills Awards before they are involved with the quality assurance process for any training qualifications. To do this you must complete the assessment and training staff registration form available on the website. The quality assurance staff member who is being registered must not complete the form. Staff responsible for quality assuring training qualifications must have occupational expertise (construction) in the subject and hold, as best practice, Level 3 Award Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement, or one of Cskills Awards recognised Exemptions (Appendix 2).

22. Training qualifications must be quality assured by the centre (see paragraph 40). However, there is no requirement for training qualifications to be internally verified.

8data requirements for qualifications with nvQ in the title23. To operate in the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) you will need to be registered with the United Kingdom Register of Learning Providers (UKRLP) and obtain a Provider Registration Number (PRN). You can register at www.ukrlp.co.uk.

24. You must have and maintain a reliable and auditable system for assessment decisions and keep information on assessments, internal quality assurance and training for a minimum period of three years. This information could be used to substantiate any claims for certification or resolve any learners appeals during the three year period.

25. This information must be made available to Cskills Awards and/or the regulatory authorities on request. For qualifications with NVQ in the title the following information must be included.

Lists of all learners registered for qualifications/units offered, including:learnernameCskillsAwardslearnerregistrationnumberUniqueLearnerNumber(ULN)orevidenceofULNoptoutdateofbirthcontactaddressworkplaceaddressandcontactdetailsassessor(s)nameinternalqualityassurer(s)name.

Learner assessment records detailing:assessmentplansassessmentdetailsincludingwhoassessed,what,whereandwhenrecordedassessmentdecisionsrecordsofanyexemptionsusedtheassessmentmethodsusedforeachunit/componentlocationsofsupportingevidenceassessmentreviews.

Records of internal quality assurance activity including:detailsofthesampleselectedandinternalqualityassurancestrategyinternalqualityassurancedetailsincludingwhoverified,what,whereandwhenminutesofinternalqualityassurancestandardisationmeetingsassessorsupportmeetingsrecordsofcertificatesclaimed,includingunitcertificates,whoclaimedthemandwhen.

data requirements for training qualifications26. To operate in the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) you will need to be registered with the United Kingdom Register of Learning Providers (UKRLP) and obtain a Provider Registration Number (PRN). You can register at www.ukrlp.co.uk.

27. You must have and maintain a reliable and auditable system to record learning outcomes, exams, and Synoptic Practical Assignments and record learning hours, quality assurance activity and staff training for a minimum period of three years. This information could be used to substantiate any claims for certification or resolve any learners appeals during the three year period.

28. For training qualifications the following information must be made available to Cskills Awards and/or the regulatory authorities on request.

Lists of all learners registered for qualifications/units offered, including:learnernameCskillsAwardslearnerregistrationnumberUniqueLearnerNumber(ULN)orevidenceofULNoptoutdateofbirthcontactaddressworkplaceaddressandcontactdetailstrainer(s)nameinternalqualityassurancestaffname(s).

9Records of training delivery:learningoutcomeswhichhavebeentrainedandtested,bywhomandwhenarecordofanyexemption/RecognitionofPriorLearning(RPL)usedrecordsofprogress/assessmentcriteriameasuredinGuidedLearningHours(GLH)andLearningTime(LT)recordsofthecompletedunitmultiple-choicetestpapersrecordsoftheonlineknowledgetestrecordsofthePracticalAssignmentsincludinganyevidencegenerateddetailsoftheinternalqualityassurancesamplingactivityinternalqualityassurancesampleplanfortrainingqualifications.

registration and certification29. You must make arrangements to ensure learners are registered prior to any assessment or test, onto the Cskills Awards, Awards Online system within 12 weeks of their induction, for both qualifications with NVQ in the title and training qualifications. This can be an electronic or manual process depending on your centre systems.

30. For qualifications with NVQ in the title assessments must not be carried out prior to the registration date, as they will be invalid.

31. For all training qualifications, learners must not sit any test prior to registration.

32. You must offer learners the opportunity for unit certification and credit accumulation for all types of qualifications. This process must be documented and available upon request.

delivery methodologies for qualifications with nvQ in the title33. You must ensure your assessment teams are working to the most up to date learning and development standards and the appropriate current SSCs Consolidated Assessment Strategy for all qualifications with NVQ in the title. You will be responsible and accountable for the following:

Manageandretainasuitablequalifiedandcompetentworkforcetoeffectivelydeliverassessmentandinternalquality assurance

Managingadocumentedandauditableassessmentsystem,forassessmentplanning,assessmentdecisions, and review/feedback

Ensuretheassessmentprocessiscarriedoutbyimpartialassessorsandinternalqualityassurerstoavoid conflicts of interest

WheretheconflictcannotbeavoidedCskillsAwardsisinformedpriortoassessmentandanindependentassessor signs off the assessment decisions. If the conflict links to the internal quality assurance process an independent internal quality assurer signs off the internal quality assurance judgement

Ensuringtheappropriateresourcesareinplacetosupportallelementsofthedeliveryofthequalificationasrequired by the qualification specification

Assessingevidenceoflearnerscompetenceagainstthequalificationspecificationforqualifications/unitstothe agreed learning outcomes and assessment criteria

EnsurethatanyuseofRecognitionofPriorLearning(RPL)candemonstrablyidentifyhowtheassessmentcriteria has been met

Ensuringlearnersevidenceisvalid,authenticandsufficientMaintainingaccurateandverifiablelearnerassessmentandachievementrecordsasdetailedintheCentre

approval criteria (Appendix 1)Ensureanoccupationallycompetentandqualifiedassessorcountersignsassessmentdecisionsmadebyan

unqualified assessorEnsureassessorsuseandrecordallopportunitiesforassessmentincludingRecognitionofPriorLearning

(RPL) and exemptions listed in the Cskills Awards qualification specifications available on the website.

34. For qualifications/units with NVQ in the title, assessors and learners must provide a signed written declaration that all evidence is authentic and the assessments are based on the conditions or context set out in the assessment specification. This declaration must be completed at the end of the assessment process and include:learnernamequalificationtitleandlevelendorsement(ifapplicable)unitnumbersdatesofachievement.

Failure to provide this document will lead to suspension of your registration and certification status.

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35. If you have an e-portfolio system you must be able to demonstrate how it meets the QCA Regulatory Principles of E-assessment (2007), and include any necessary safeguards in place to ensure that evidence is authentic.

Cskills Awards e-portfolio system Skillsfile meets the regulatory requirements for e-assessment and works with the learner management system Awards Online. More information can be found on the website www.skillsfile.org or telephone on 0344 944 4020.

Your assessment strategies must detail how you use e-portfolio systems with learners for assessment.

delivery methodologies for training qualifications36. You must ensure your trainers are working to the occupational standards for learning and development or the Cskills Awards recognised Exemptions (Appendix 2). You will also be responsible for ensuring the following:

Manageandretainasuitablequalifiedandcompetentworkforcetodelivertrainingandinternalqualityassurance

Theappropriateamountofspaceisavailableforeachlearnerasdetailedforeachqualificationforpracticaltraining, demonstration and measurement of learning outcomes

Thereareappropriatefacilitiesincludingwatersupplies,drainage,washingdownareas,wastedisposalandmixing areas, as well as specific equipment required by the qualification

Classroomareasareappropriatefortheorytrainingincludingadeskforeachlearnerwithaviewofthetrainer,lecture boards, stationery and appropriate classroom equipment during each session

Recordingofprogressagainstlearningoutcomesandassessmentcriteria,includingthenumberofGuidedLearning Hours and Learning Time for each learner

Ensurethatanyuseofrecognitionofpriorlearning(RPL)candemonstrablyidentifyhowtheassessmentcriteria has been met

AllexaminationsareinvigilatedasrequiredbyCskills Awards Invigilation policy for Training Qualifications available on the website

PracticalassignmentsaredeliveredunderexaminationconditionsoutlinedintheCskills Awards Invigilation policy for Training Qualifications

Ensurethattrainingprocessiscarriedoutbyanimpartialtrainerandinternalqualityassurertoavoidaconflict of interest

WheretheconflictcannotbeavoidedCskillsAwardsisinformedpriortotrainingdeliveryandanindependenttrainer signs off the training process.

use of language in assessment for all qualifications37. All qualifications (competence and training) must be delivered in English, Welsh or Irish (Gaeilge), learners must therefore have an appropriate level of understanding of these languages before their qualification commences. Interpreters and translators are not acceptable for any part of the qualification or examination.

38. If a learner is assessed in Welsh (in Wales) or Gaeilge (in Northern Ireland) Cskills Awards must be notified prior to commencement to ensure certificates are endorsed with the assessment language.

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Quality assurance for qualifications with nvQ in the title39. Qualifications that use NVQ in the title must be internally quality assured. You must ensure your internal quality assurance teams are working to the most current learning and development standards and the appropriate SSCs Consolidated Assessment Strategy for all qualifications with NVQ in the title.

You will be responsible and accountable for:ensuringyouhaveadocumentedinternalqualityassurancestrategythatassiststheriskmanagementofthe

delivery team and demonstrates how you will ensure a safe and robust delivery and claims for certificationensuringyouhaveadocumentedsampleplanthatcoversallaspectsoftheassessmentprocessaswellasall

learner types, all assessors, all units, and all qualifications over a measured time period detailed in your internal quality assurance strategy

ensuringinternalqualityassuranceisplanned,documentedandoccursthroughouttheassessmentprocessand provide support to the assessor following all internal quality assurance activity

ensuringstandardisationactivitiesareplannedanddocumentedforallassessorsbyinternalquality assurance staff

ensuringanoccupationallyexpertandqualifiedinternalqualityassurerwhoisregisteredwiththecentreandCskills Awards countersigns all unqualified internal quality assurers

ensuringallunqualifiedinternalqualityassurersachievetheappropriateinternalqualityassurancequalificationwithin 12 months of commencement of their qualification registration

providingContinuousProfessionalDevelopment(CPD)opportunitiesfortheassessmentteamensuringallclaimsforcertificationareauthenticatedbyalearninganddevelopmentqualified,orequivalent,

occupationally expert internal quality assurer prior to the claim being madeprovidinginformationto,andfacilitatingvisitsfrom,thequalityadvisorasrequiredagreeingandimplementinganyactionsandtimescalesidentifiedduringyourqualityadvisorvisits.

Quality assurance for training qualifications40. You are responsible for:havingsystemsinplacetomanagethedeliveryoftheprogramme.Thismustincludedeliveryandquality

assurance strategies that document the processes for delivery and quality assurance arrangementsdevelopingasamplingplanthatqualityassuresallaspectsofthequalificationensuringthattrainingqualificationsarebeingdeliveredbyfollowingdocumentedlessonplansthatmeetall

learning outcomes and assessment criteriaensuringallexaminationandtestpapers,bothelectronicandhardcopy,arekeptinasecureenvironmentuntil

they are required for a unit test, as detailed in Cskills Awards Invigilation policy for Training QualificationsensuringalltestsandexamsfollowtheCskills Awards Invigilation policy for Training Qualifications requirements,

available on the websiteensuringanappointedoccupationalexpertqualityassuresandauthenticatesallclaimsforcertificationpriorto

any claim being madeprovidinginformationto,andfacilitatingvisitsfrom,thequalityadvisorasrequiredagreeingandimplementinganyactionsandtimescalesidentifiedduringyourqualityadvisorvisits.

external quality assurance41. All centres approved to deliver Cskills Awards qualifications will receive external quality assurance visits from Cskills Awards quality advisors. Quality advisors will quality assure qualifications with NVQ in the title as well as training qualifications.

42. The frequency of these visits will be determined by the Cskills Awards visit planning tool and strategy, but will be no less than one visit per annum.

43. The visit planning is an inclusive process that will start with a telephone call from your quality advisor to discuss the forthcoming visit not more than 21 days prior to the visit. This has been designed to give you the opportunity to discuss your centres activities and final arrangements for the visit. Following this discussion you will receive not less than 14 days prior to the visit an electronic visit planning e-card. If your quality advisor is unable to contact you by telephone, a confirmation of the telephone call attempt will be detailed in the e-card.

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44. Throughout each visit the quality advisor will discuss their findings and give you an opportunity to resolve any prevailing issues as the day progresses. At the conclusion of the visit the quality advisor will feedback to you and the management team and if required provide further clarity. You will also be given sight of the full report at the end of the visit, as well as receiving an electronic report by email within 48 hours of the visit (the report will not be changed at any point after the quality advisor has left the centre). The report will detail the visit findings including any action plans referenced to the Centre approval criteria (Appendix 1). If your quality advisor is unable to provide you with an electronic copy, you will receive a paper copy of the report at the end of the visit.

45. As part of your approval to offer Cskills Awards qualifications you are obliged to comply with any requests for access to premises, people and records for the purpose of quality assurance. Failure to comply will result in registration and certification being withheld until access is granted.

46. If you wish to cancel a pre-arranged quality advisor visit, you must be able to demonstrate the cancellation request is reasonable. Any cancellations made within 14 days of the planned visit will be charged at the standard daily rate detailed in Cskills Awards Fees listing which is available on the website. Direct claims for certification will be withheld until another quality advisor visit takes place.

47. Cskills Awards reserves the right to request visits at short or no notice to minimise the risk of unsubstantiated claims for certification.

48. The quality advisor is responsible for monitoring the centre against the Centre approval criteria (Appendix 1) and providing you with support, advice, guidance and actions if required.

49. Cskills Awards reserves the right to moderate the quality advisor visit reports and reduce or escalate their decisions. Any changes to the visit report or actions required will be communicated in writing following the moderation of the visit reports.

malpractice50. Malpractice is a deliberate or reckless act of an individual or business to dishonestly claim learning outcomes and/or certificates for learners. Furthermore, malpractice is an act that does not comply with Cskills Awards or regulatory authorities conditions and brings the authenticity, reliability and integrity of a Cskills Awards qualification into question.

51. You must have in place, and review at least annually, arrangements for preventing and investigating malpratice/maladministration, which include how you will deal with and report all occurrences.

52. You are required as an approved centre to report all cases of alleged and proven malpractice that you identify in your centre to Cskills Awards by emailing your customer co-ordinator. All staff including assessors, trainers, internal quality assurers, quality assurance staff and administrators must have detailed knowledge of your centres malpractice policy.

53. You must have in place a documented whistle blowing policy that has been communicated to all centre staff to enable them to safely report malpractice.

54. Upon receipt of any alleged malpractice complaints, Cskills Awards will withdraw registration and certification from the centre to protect any future investigation and prevent learners being disadvantaged.

55. Cskills Awards will notify the appropriate regulator and any other awarding organisation that may be affected by the alleged malpractice, and appoint an independent quality advisor to carry out the compliance investigation. This may include centre visits, staff interviews, learner interviews and investigation of all relevant paperwork (paragraphs 25 and 28).

56. A letter of the investigation will be sent to the centre manager, Cskills Awards quality assurance manager and the appropriate regulatory authority. This will include any conclusions, evidence presented and recommendations of action required to resolve the matter.

57. In the event of any withdrawal of approval (voluntary or not) you must make all reasonable efforts to ensure learners are not disadvantaged. You must make provisions for all paperwork to be stored and accessible for a period of three years, and Cskills Awards can help you with this. You must make provisions for learners that are still active and who have not achieved their qualification, and ensure that they have given permission for their personal details to be passed to a new provider, prior to the withdrawal.

58. If you fail to co-operate with Cskills Awards at any stage of the investigation process this will result in a centre suspension.

59. If you are implicated in a case of malpractice that is upheld by Cskills Awards; your Cskills Awards approval will be removed for all centres.

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withdrawal of centre60. If you wish to withdraw from qualification delivery or centre approval, you must ensure:CskillsAwardshavebeennotifiedinwritingpriortotakinganyactionyouclaimallcompletedunitsalllearnersagreetobetransferredtoanewproviderandkeeparecordoftheirpermissiontoshare

personal datayoumakeprovisiontostoreallrecordsforaperiodofthreeyearsyouallowaclosurevisitwithCskillsAwards.

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appendix 1 - centre approval criteriaThis table details Cskills Awards requirements for approved centres. It has been designed for you to use as a referencing sheet for your quality manual and shows how the quality advisor will apply corrective actions if there are any areas of non-compliance.

management and systems

Cskills Awards

approved criteria

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.4

1.5

1.6

1.7

Criteria

The management understands and communicates policies to the assessment, quality assurance and training teams and reviews all policies appropriately.

Evaluation of the equality and opportunity data gathered by the centre takes place periodically and changes are made based on the findings.

The roles and responsibilities are understood by all staff involved in assessment and training.

Assessors/trainers/quality assurers have sufficient time, resources and authority to perform their roles.

Centre communication with the assessment/training/verification/internal quality assurance teams and Cskills Awards is effective.

Technical and general queries from assessment/training/quality assurance teams and learners to the centre quality assurance team are resolved, recorded or reported to Cskills Awards.

Changes to personnel involved in assessment, training and internal quality assurance are notified to Cskills Awards.

Examples

PoliciesConflicts of interestInvigilationEqual opportunitiesMalpracticeAppealsTraining strategyAssessment strategyQuality assurance strategyFair access to assessmentMeeting minutes

Evaluation of equal opportunities dataChanges made

Organisational chartCVsJob descriptions

Job descriptionsCase loads

Meeting minutesCommunication evidence with Cskills Awards

Question and resolution processRecords of questions and resolutions

Records of updates to Cskills AwardsAssessment and training staffRegistration applications

Action Plan

Action Plan

Action Plan

Cskills Awards Steer

Action Plan


Action Plan

Cen

tre

stat

us

Ref

eren

ceFo

r ce

ntre

use

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appendix 1 - centre approval criteria (continued)management and systems (continued)

Cskills Awards

approved criteria

1.8

1.9

1.10

1.11

1.12

1.13

1.14

1.15

1.16

Criteria

Unit certification is made available to learners.

There is regular standardisation of assessment and training between centre staff.

Claims for exemption identified by learners are considered and recorded by the centre.

A ULN is obtained for each learner unless the learner opts out.

Service level agreements are adequate to demonstrate partner organisation responsibilities.

Conflicts of interest within a centre are dealt with appropriately

Centre has the facilities to pass information on credit accumulation and credit transfers to LRS.

The centre complies with requests for access to records, information, staff and premises for the purpose of external quality assurance and quality assurance.

Cskills Awards quality advisor visit reports are disseminated to all the assessment and training teams and corrective actions completed.

Examples

Policy for early leaversEvidence of communication for unit certification

Minutes of standardisation meetings

Evidence of exemptions madeEvidence of communication with Cskills Awards for exemptions

Each learner has a ULNEvidence of opt out

Copies of agreements

Conflict report

UKPRNLRS contract3rd party agreement

Meeting minutes


Action Plan



Action Plan

Action Plan

Action Plan

suspension


Cen

tre

stat

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Ref

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use

16

appendix 1 - centre approval criteria (continued)resource, equipment and staff

* Subject to the risk caused by non-compliance

Cskills Awards

approved criteria

2.1

2.2

2.3

2.4

2.5

2.6

Criteria

Staff training and development needs are identified and recorded, to meet the requirements of assessment, quality assurance and training.

Manage and retain a suitably qualified workforce for the management, assessment, training and quality assurance of the centre.

The resources available for assessment and training meet the requirements as set out in the relevant health and safety acts.

Centre resources i.e. schemes of work, lesson plans and handouts are in place and produced to acceptable quality standards.

There are the appropriate insurances to protect learners, staff and visitors as deemed by law.

Examples

Job descriptionsCase loadsQuality assurance and quality assurance strategyContract/service level agreements

Staff inductionMinutes of meetings and briefings ortraining coursesCPD recordsAction plans for development

Evidence of the staff resource being availableRecords of staff availability

Public liability insuranceMaintenance schedules and recordsHealth and safety policy

Lesson plansHandouts

Insurance certificatesEmployers liability insurancePublic liability insuranceIndemnity insurance

suspension

Action Plan


action plan to

suspension

Action Plan

Action Plan

Cen

tre

stat

us

Ref

eren

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ntre

use

For qualifications with NVQ in the title there are sufficient assessors and internal quality assurers to ensure the assessment process is supported and the qualification delivery is robust.

For training qualifications there are sufficient qualified training and internal quality assurance staff (at least one per occupation) registered with Cskills Awards.

17

appendix 1 - centre approval criteria (continued)learners

Cskills Awards

approved criteria

3.1

3.2

3.3

3.4

3.5

3.6

Criteria

Learners are fully inducted on to the qualification prior to any assessment or training. Learners and potential learners are given appropriate guidance and advice to support the qualification.

Initial assessment process identifies support and development for the learner and is recorded in the assessment plan.

For qualifications with NVQ in the title the assessment process must involve the learner and allow two-way written feedback on progress between the assessor and learner.

Assessment and training is managed and the most appropriate method of assessment or training is used to prevent any barriers to entry.

The qualification requirements are used to ensure valid assessment and training methods are used.

Learners are aware of their rights, e.g. appeals, equal opportunities policies, registration, induction and health and safety.

Examples

Induction materialsConfirmation verbally by learnerAppeals procedure

Initial assessment document (profiling)Assessment plans

Review documentationUpdated assessment plans

Assessment and training plansPolicy for learners with particularassessment requirements

Meeting minutesCommunication evidence with Cskills Awards

Induction paperworkRegistration numberAppeals procedureEqual opportunities policyHealth and safety policy

Action Plan



Action Plan to Cskills Awards Steer

cskills awards steer to

suspension


Cen

tre

stat

us

Ref

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18

appendix 1 - centre approval criteria (continued)assessment, training and quality assurance

Cskills Awards

approved criteria

4.1

4.2

4.3

4.4

4.5

4.6

4.7

4.8

4.9

4.10

Criteria

Internal quality assurance procedures and activities are clearly documented and assessment decisions are sampled to ensure consistency and compliance.

Assessment/testing decisions are consistent and sampled for all assessors and trainers working and registered at the centre. Records of standardisation activity are identified and acted upon appropriately.

Internal quality assurance processes ensure assessments/training cover all learning outcomes and assessment criteria prior to any claims for certification.

There is sufficient assessment/training planning with learners.

Assessors for qualifications with NVQ in the title are occupationally competent and meet the SSC strategy for conducting assessment activity.

Trainers are occupationally competent and hold the appropriate qualifications.

Internal quality assurers for qualifications with NVQ in the title meet the SSC strategy for conducting internal verification.

Qualified assessors/internal quality assurers as appropriate, countersign decisions of unqualified assessors/internal quality assurers.

The range of assessment/training methods is sufficient to progress learner including RPL.

A review of the internal quality assurance process to ensure it is appropriate must be carried out and reviewed against the quality advisor reports.

Examples

Internal Quality Assurance strategiesWritten sample planQuality assurance risk assessmentMinutes of quality assurance team meetings

Evidence from portfoliosRecords of standardisation activityMinutes of assessor team meetingsInternal quality assurance plans and records of all internal quality assurance activityRecords of assessment samplingstrategies

Learners assessment documentsportfolio/data requirements(paragraphs 23 and 26)

Centre assessment strategyInternal quality assurance reportsAssessment plans and reviews

Evidence from assessment records

Centre assessment strategyAchievement ratesRPL process used

Action Plan


suspension


suspension

Action Plan

suspension or removal of assessor

suspension or removal of trainer

suspension or removal of internal

Quality assurer



Action Plan to Cskills Awards Steer

Cen

tre

stat

us

Ref

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19

appendix 1 - centre approval criteria (continued)records

Cskills Awards

approved criteria

5.1

5.2

5.3

5.4

Criteria

Formal feedback is sought from learners and employers to evaluate the delivery of the assessment or training.

Records are sufficient to allow audit of assessment/training.

Records of training and testing meet the requirements set out by Cskills Awards.

Examples

Feedback documentationEvaluation of feedbackReportsActions taken from feedback

Learners assessment documentsportfolio/data requirements(paragraphs 22 and 25)

Evidence of the assessment processPlanning, assessment, review and feedback

Lesson plansInvigilation policySpace normsExamination security

Action Plan


suspension


Cen

tre

stat

us

Ref

eren

ceFo

r ce

ntre

use

For qualifications with NVQ in the title the records of assessment meet the requirements listed in the Cskills Awards qualification specification and the SSC assessment strategy.

20

appendix 2 - exemptions for trainers and quality assurance staff working with training qualifications

Qualifications

PTLLS Level 3

CTLLS Level 3

DTLLS Level 5

PGCE

C&G 7302

C&G 7303

C&G 7307

C&G 7407

PCET

Construction Plant Competence Scheme Instructor card

Certificate of Training Achievement Instructor card

L Unit 9 (L9)

L Unit 10 (L10)

L Unit 11 (L11)

L Unit 12 (L12)

Full Titles

Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector

Certificate to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector

Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector

Postgraduate Certificate in Education

Certificate in Delivering Learning

Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector

Certificate in Delivering Learning/Teaching Adults

Certificate in Further Education Teaching

Post Compulsory Education and Training

Construction Plant Competence Scheme Instructor card

Certificate of Training Achievement Instructor card

Create climate that promotes learning

Enable learning through presentations

Enable learning through demonstrations and instruction

Enable learning through coaching/mentoring

21

appendix 3 - centre status centre status methodologyCskills Awards is required by Ofqual to have a methodology that ensures the delivery of qualifications is robust and claims made for certification are safe. In the interest of maintaining consistency Cskills Awards has developed a process that will ensure centres are compliant with its requirements.

Appendix 1 contains all of the requirements your centre must meet as part of your ongoing approval. If your centre fails to meet these requirements, the quality advisor will agree an action plan and sufficient number of days to address the issue(s).

Appendix 1 also highlights a number of key requirements essential to the robust delivery and safe claiming of certificates. Centres failing to meet these key requirements will be suspended from registration and certification activities. Your quality advisor will help guide and support you in meeting these key requirements.

This methodology has been developed to ensure that you receive a fully supported, timely and efficient approach to maintaining or returning to full approval status.

persistenceIf you fail to implement an agreed action plan, your quality advisor will recommend the next level of action is applied to your centre.

reoccurrencesIf you fail to rectify and maintain an agreed level of action your quality advisor will recommend a higher level of action for the reoccurrence.

Action Plan

Suspension


Non compliance of awarding organisation requirements. However, assessment decisions and quality assurance is robust and has a minimal impact on the learner

Failure to address a Cskills Awards steer or fundamental requirement not met as detailed in Appendix 1.

An Action Plan that requires urgent attention within agreed timescales which will not normally be more than 28 days.

22

BibliographyExtracts in this document have been taken from:

Ofqual Regulatory Arrangements for the Qualifications and Credit Framework (2008) (Ofqual/08/3726)

QCA NVQ Code of Practice (2006) (QCA/06/2888)

ConstructionSkills Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) Consolidated Assessment Strategy for the QCF (December 2010)

Ofqual Operating Rules for Using the Term NVQ in a QCF Qualification Title (2008) (Ofqual/08/3760)

JACQA guidelines (October 2009)

QCA Regulatory Principles of E-assessment (2007) (QCA/07/3107)

Ofqual General Conditions of Recognition (November 2012) (Ofqual/12/5247)

appendix 4verb descriptorsCskills Awards reserves the right to withdraw scheme or centre approval for persistent failure to meet the requirements detailed in this document, or proven malpractice.

The table shown below identifies the differences between each of the verbs that describe how each assessment criterion should be covered.

Descriptor

Describe

Explain

State

Identify

Use

Interpret

Assess

Collect

Examine

Confirm

Communicate

Select

Protect

Knowledge

Knowledge

Knowledge

Performance

Performance

Performance

Performance

Performance

Performance

Performance

Performance

Performance

Performance

Definition

Give an account of something or someone in words

Make a clear and intelligible account, (More detail than would be expected for describe)

Express in words (normally less detail than describe)

Prove or recognise a person or a thing

Put in to service or action

Explain the meaning of; e.g. understand and act on a drawing

Judge the worth or importance of

Gather information together

Look at closely, test the knowledge of, ask the question of

Prove to be true, re-affirm, strengthen

Discuss face-to face, in writing or with body language

Choose a method, tool

Carry out an action to make safe or eliminate the risk

Performance or Knowledge

23

GlossaryTerm

A1 qualification

Assessor

Award

Award of credits or qualifications

Awarding organisation

Awards Online

Additional qualification approval

Accreditation

Appeal

Approved centre

Assessment

Assessor qualifications

Centre approval

Authentication

CCEA

Certificate (1)

Certificate (2)

Competence

CPD

Customer co-ordinator

D32, D33 qualifications

D34 qualification

DCELLS

Diploma

E-portfolio

Guided Learning Hours (GLH)

Internal verifier/Internal quality assurer

Exemption

Credit

Centre contact

Corrective action

Definition

Assessor qualification

A person who is qualified to assess learners work and make decisions about competence

A qualification with a credit value between 1 and 12

A certificate issued to an individual that recognises achievement

An organisation recognised by Ofqual to award qualifications and units

Cskills Awards registration and certification management information system

The process required to add additional qualifications to the centres approval status

The process through which regulators of a qualification confirm that a qualification conforms to the requirements of the QCF regulatory arrangements

A process through which a decision may be challenged on the outcome of an enquiry about results or, where appropriate, other procedural decisions affecting a centre or individual learner

A company that is accountable to an awarding organisation for the assessment arrangements leading to the issue of qualifications or units

A process of making decisions about the extent to which a learners work meets the assessment criteria for a unit or qualification

Level 3 Award in Assessing Competence in the Work Environment and Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement

The process required for companies wishing to deliver Cskills Awards qualifications or units that has committed itself to hold and maintain the required quality and consistency of assessments and comply with other expectations of Cskills Awards

The process that confirms the work being put forward for assessment is the learners and has been produced under the conditions set out in the qualification

Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment regulator for qualifications in Northern Ireland

A record of attainment of qualifications/units issued by an awarding organisation

A qualification with a credit value between 13 and 36 credits

The ability to carry out activities to the standard required

Continuous Professional Development

A member of Cskills Awards staff assigned to centres to give a single point of contact

Assessor qualifications prior to A1

Internal verifier qualification prior to V1

Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills - regulator for qualifications in Wales

A qualification with a credit value of 37 and above

An electronic evidence storage system

The number of direct contact hours required to teach a qualification or unit of a qualification

An individual appointed by the centre to ensure accurate and consistent standards of assessments, both between assessors operating in the centre and between differing awards offered by the centre

The process for a learner to claim an exemption from some of the achievement requirements of a QCF qualification, using evidence of a certificated, non QCF achievement deemed to be an equivalent value

An award made to a learner in recognition of the achievement of the designated learning outcomes of a unit

A named individual in the centre responsible for the overall quality assurance, management and administration of awards

A methodology to ensure the quality of assessment and training delivery is upheld and meets Cskills Awards Centre approval criteria

24

Glossary (continued)Term

JACQA

LRS

NQF

Ofqual

PRN

QCF

Learner

L9, L11, L12, L13

Learner record

Learning time

Level

Malpractice

Quality advisor

National Occupational Standards (NOS)

Qualification specification

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Regulatory authorities

Rule of Combination (RoC)

Senior quality advisor

Standardisation

UKRLP

Unique Learner Number (ULN)

Unit

Unqualified

V1 qualification

Whistle blowing

Verifier qualification

Skillsfile

Recognition

Sector Skills Council (SSC)

Definition

Joint Awarding Council for Qualification Approval

Learner Registration Service

National Qualification Framework

The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation - regulator for qualifications in England

Provider Registration Number

Qualifications and Credit Framework

A person who is registered with Cskills Awards to complete a qualification or unit

Qualification units for trainer qualifications

An authoritative record of all credit and qualification achievements made by an individual

The amount of time a learner at the level of the unit is expected to take, on average, to complete the learning outcomes of the unit to the standard determined by the assessment criteria

An indication of the relative demand, complexity and/or depth of achievement and/or the autonomy of the learner in demonstrating that achievement

The deliberate or reckless act of an individual or business to dishonestly claim learning outcomes and/or certificates for learners

A member of Cskills Awards staff who advises and guides centres on how they meet Cskills Awards Centre approval criteria. To recommend appropriate corrective actions when required. Quality advisors will work to current internal quality assurance standards

Statements that describe the outcomes of competence work in an occupational field

A pack containing the assessment requirements for the delivery of a unit or qualification

A method of assessment that considers whether a learner can demonstrate that they can meet the assessment requirements for a unit through knowledge, or skills they already possess and do not need to develop through a course of learning

Government bodies required to establish national standards for qualifications and ensure consistent compliance. The regulatory authorities listed in this document are Ofqual, DCELLS and CCEA

A description of the credit accumulation requirements for the achievement of a named qualification

A member of Cskills Awards staff who manages the quality advisor team

A process to ensure assessment decisions for qualification units or components are applied consistently between assessors and internal quality assurers

United Kingdom Register of Learning Providers

The unique number that is used to identify an individual learner

The smallest part of the qualification that is capable of certification in its own right

An assessor/internal verifier who is working towards achieving an assessment/internal quality assurance qualification

Internal quality assurers qualification

A process for reporting inappropriate practice in the assessment process

Level 4 Award in the Internal Quality Assurance of Assessment Processes and Practice

Cskills Awards learner and assessment management e-portfolio system

The process for awarding organisations to be recognised by the regulator to operate in the QCF

A body approved by the regulatory authorities as responsible for formulating and reviewing standard occupational competence for an employment sector

www.cskills.org/awards

Cskills Awards contactsThere are various ways to keep up-to-date which what is happening within the industry and here at Cskills Awards.We have:

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If you would like to give us any feedback on any of the above or any of our services, please contact your customer co-ordinator on 0344 994 4020 or email us at [email protected]

Documents

Con-qcf Requirements for Approved Centres