Internal Quality Assurance Centre Process – First Aid (3 Pages)
Internal quality assurance has now become a mandatory component of the new first aid
qualifications as stipulated by the following regulatory organisations/agencies:
Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual)
Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
Skills for Health - the Sector Skills Council for health.
We are aware that internal quality assurance may be a new concept for some trainers that have
delivered first aid qualifications under the old system. We have therefore written this additional
guidance to support all concerned with this process.
The internal quality assurance of first aid qualifications is the responsibility of the Internal Quality
Assurance (IQA) officer. The IQA should meet the associated criteria within the qualification
specification and should monitor both the delivery and assessment of the qualification.
The IQA should not contribute to the delivery or complete any assessment of the course they are
sampling.
The IQA should:
ensure the completion of the delivery and assessment is in line with the qualification
requirements
ensure all assessment paperwork is completed accurately
ensure all Tutors/Assessors are sampled over time
support and offer development for Tutors/Assessors
provide an audit trail of internal quality assurance.
It is important to note that the IQA officer role is one of support and, as a result, should improve the
delivery and assessment programme over time. IQA samples can be completed in a number of ways,
however, the main two methods are live observation of course delivery/assessment (visit to an
active course) and desk-based sampling of course assessment material (either during a visit or
remote check of completed assessment packs).
It is important to note that it is not a requirement that every course is internally quality
assured via live observation visits, and desk based samples should be used to support this process.
In addition to the above, we have provided an example, of how we will effectively implement
Internal quality assurance for all first aid qualifications that we deliver.
Internal Quality Assurance Centre Process – First Aid (3 Pages)
Observation Visits
We have implemented a system for the frequency of live visits based on risk. This risk
should be indicated by identifying and agreeing the risk level of Tutors/Assessors.
We have selected the following system for doing this using the following traffic light system:
Green: Tutors/Assessors who have a significant amount of experience and competence in
the delivery and/or assessment of the qualification (e.g. have delivered over 30 courses
with no outstanding actions from quality assurance checks).
Amber: Tutors/Assessors who have a moderate amount of experience and competence in
the delivery and/or assessment of the qualification (e.g. have delivered over 15 courses
with minor outstanding actions from quality assurance checks).
Red: Tutors/Assessors who have little or no experience in the delivery and/or assessment of
the qualification.
Once the grade is agreed with Tutors/Assessors, the next stage is to identify the volume of support
visits that are required based on the grade.
Below is an example of volume for our tutors:
GREEN Tutors/Assessors would require an IQA support visit for every 20 courses registered
AMBER Tutors/Assessors would require an IQA support visit for every 10 courses
registered
RED Tutors/Assessors would require an IQA support visit for every course registered
Note: For those Tutors/Assessors who do not meet the above registered learner
numbers, a minimum of one annual observation visit is required.
During these live observation visits IQAs can sample a number of aspects of the course including the
delivery, assessment, learner engagement and so on. It is also important to note that these samples
are a great way of sharing good practice.
Desk Based Reviews
As an approved centre we will carry out an internal quality assurance sample prior to the
certification request for every course at the time of inputting certificate requests. This sampling will
ensure that all paperwork is completed to the required standard as well as sampling aspects of the
learner assessment content.
Standardisation Activities
Standardisation activities are centre-led and used as a method of sharing good practice across the
delivery, assessment and quality assurance of the qualification. These activities should be completed
on a periodic basis and include members of the centre’s delivery, assessment and quality assurance
team.
Note: Our standardisation meetings will take place on the first Tuesday of the
following months:- November – February – May - August
All records of the above activities will be stored by ourselves for quality assurance purpose for a
minimum of 3 years. This is in-line with the regulators guidance.
Course Folder: includes all course assessment material
IQA Folder: includes all centre’s quality assurance paperwork e.g. IQA Sample Plans and IQA
Reports
Internal Quality Assurance Centre Process – First Aid (3 Pages)
Standardisation Folder: includes all minutes and meeting related paperwork.
Note: The HSE & Skills for Health have set minimum standards for resources and
training equipment to be found during all first aid training delivery & assessments
these are:
Training resources
Tutors are expected to provide the following as a minimum in first aid training delivery:
One manikin per four learners
One each of the following, dressing, gloves, CPR barrier, Triangular bandage per learner
Recognised support manual one per learner meeting current Resuscitation Guidelines
Additionally if delivering Defibrillator (AED) training
One AED per 3 learners
One per learner recognised support materials