Regulating qualifications to secure standards and value

Fiona PethickFAB National Conference - 11 November 2010

Regulation – our mission

As the independent regulator, Ofqual strives to secure

qualifications, examinations and assessments that are

valued and trusted by learners, users and the wider public

Regulating qualifications to secure standards and value

Why regulate?

What are we regulating?

How will we regulate?

What does this mean for you?

Why we regulate

What we regulate

How we will regulate

Ofqual will:-

– Follow the principles of ‘better regulation’»Transparent»Accountable»Consistent»Proportionate»Targeted

Our principles for regulation

We will:-

– Act in accordance with the principles of better regulation– Base our decisions on evidence– Target our interventions in response to our assessment of risk

posed to standards, learners, efficiency and public confidence– Make sure our staff have the skills and knowledge to undertaken

their roles– Engage with each organisation we regulate in a fair and open

manner– Use proportionate enforcement sanctions where necessary– Contribute evidence-based advice on policy options that affect

regulated activities and organisations

Our principles for regulation

Awarding organisations will:-

– Make sure they behave in accordance with the conditions of recognition to which it is subject, and that it has the expertise and resources to do so

– Be accountable for the quality and standards of the qualifications it awards and the efficiency with which it operates

– Respect our role as a regulator and cooperate with us– Take remedial action if things go wrong and ensure we are

informed promptly

Recognition criteria

Governance

Resources

Operations

Quality assurance

Financial viability

Efficiency

Recognition conditions

Secure efficiency and value for money

Securing standards

Qualification frameworks

Shifting responsibility

Authority with complaints and appeals

From Transition to Transformation – a journey

RITS and the Register

What does this mean for you?

Implications

– Recognise different approach to regulation– Duties for the accountable officer– Final suite of general conditions– Evidence of behaviour – Risk based approach to regulation

Finally – tell us what you think

Please visit www.ofqual.gov.uk– Look for the link to ‘Public Consultations’

Please respond by:-– Online form– Email– Post– Talk to us!

Consultations events:-– 3 December 2010, London– 2 half-day events