Centre Handbook
Version 2.1
September 2013
Open Awards Centre Handbook (Version 2.1)
Page 1 of 36
Date Authorised: September 13
Contents
Please click on the page title below to be taken to the relevant
page.
Contents ............................................................................................... 1
1.
Introduction ................................................................................. 3
2.
Open Awards Centre Recognition .............................................. 4
3.
New Qualification and New Course Notification Forms ........... 5
New Qualification Forms ........................................................................ 5
New Course Notification Forms ............................................................. 6
Units ...................................................................................................... 7
4.
Qualification Credit Framework (QCF) ....................................... 8
4.1 Exemptions, Equivalents, Credit Transfer and RPL .................... 8
5.
Quality Assurance System ......................................................... 9
Centre Staff Requirements .................................................................... 9
Assessment ..........................................................................................10
Internal Quality Assurance ....................................................................10
5.1 Internal Verification ......................................................................11
Definition and Purpose..........................................................................11
Guidance on Internal Verification ..........................................................11
Implementing Internal Verification .........................................................12
Models of Internal Verification ...............................................................13
Model 1 – Single Internal Verifier ..........................................................13
Model 2 – Designated Assessors act as Internal Verifiers.....................13
Model 3 – All Assessors act as Internal Verifiers – “Round Robin”........13
Internal Verification Activities ................................................................14
Planning for Internal Verification ...........................................................14
Induction and Updating for Tutors/Assessors........................................14
Planning and Managing Assessment ....................................................15
Sampling Assessment ..........................................................................16
5.2 Awarding Credit ............................................................................17
Recommendation for Award of Credit: Role of External Verifier ............17
Direct Claims Status .............................................................................18
Multi-Run Programme Verification Sign Off...........................................18
5.3 Approved Internal Verifier Status (AIVS) .....................................18
What are the Benefits of AIVS? ............................................................19
Routes to AIVS .....................................................................................19
Role of the Quality Reviewer in Monitoring AIV Status ..........................19
www.openawards.org.uk
Phone: 0151 494 2072
Open Awards Centre Handbook (Version 2.1)
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Withdrawal of AIVS ...............................................................................19
5.4 Centre Quality Review ..................................................................20
Initial Quality Review Visit .....................................................................20
Quality Improvement Action Plan ..........................................................20
Continuous Quality Improvement of all Centres ....................................20
External Verification Preparation...........................................................21
Remote Monitoring ...............................................................................22
E-Portfolios ...........................................................................................22
5.5 Standardisation .............................................................................23
Internal Standardisation Provides: ........................................................23
Regional/National Standardisation ........................................................23
Evidence for Standardisation ................................................................23
5.6 Retaining Evidence .......................................................................24
Centre Evidence ...................................................................................24
5.7 Group & Large Scale Recognised Centre Quality Assurance
Guidelines ...........................................................................................24
Centre Documentation ..........................................................................25
Centre Training .....................................................................................25
Quality Reviewer/External Verifier Allocation ........................................26
5.8 Centre Closure/Centres who choose to withdraw their Centre
Recognition Status with Open Awards .............................................26
6.
Registration and Awards ...........................................................27
6.1 Registering Learners ....................................................................27
Online Registration ...............................................................................27
Fair Processing Notices/Privacy Notice ................................................27
Extended Text Privacy Notice ...............................................................28
Exemptions, Equivalents, Credit Transfer and RPL ..............................28
Amending Course Runs ........................................................................29
6.2 Recommendation for the Award of Credit (RAC) .......................29
Recommending Credit ..........................................................................29
Internal Verifier/External Verifier Authorisation......................................30
Amending RACs ...................................................................................30
6.3 Issuing Certificates .......................................................................31
Re-issue and Replacement Certificates ................................................31
7.
Fees and Charges.......................................................................32
8.
Qualification and Unit Review ...................................................33
9.
Glossary of Terms ......................................................................34
www.openawards.org.uk
Phone: 0151 494 2072
Open Awards Centre Handbook (Version 2.1)
Page 3 of 36
Date Authorised: September 13
1. Introduction
The Open Awards Centre Handbook has been produced to help you understand our
systems and processes and so that you can use our Qualifications and units to meet
the needs of your learners.
(Please note there is a separate Centre Handbook relating to Open Awards
Functional Sills).
Open Awards QCF Qualifications and units afford the opportunity to deliver Ofqual
nationally accredited regulated provision at a level and size to suit your needs. Open
Awards locally validated non-regulated courses offer the opportunity for
organisations to design courses to suit their specific needs. The two options ensure
flexibly of provision and progression for a wide range of learners and across many
contexts.
The administration of our QCF Qualifications and units and Open Awards locally
validated units/courses is simple and straightforward. Once you have agreed your
Open Awards provision you will need to register your learners with us. Details of
how to complete the New Course or New Qualification Notification Forms are
provided in the Registration and Awards Section. The forms and learner data then go
forward ready for the award of credit and the production of certificates to learners.
All Centres will receive support from Open Awards to help with every stage of the
process. Staff are trained to respond to your needs and work with you to help you
use Open Awards Qualifications and units effectively.
www.openawards.org.uk
Phone: 0151 494 2072
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2. Open Awards Centre Recognition
Centre Recognition is an agreement made between you as the Centre and Open
Awards, specifying the minimum requirements your organisation must commit to in
relation to curriculum, quality and administration. It provides Open Awards with
information about your Centre and its structure and contacts. It sets out the terms
and conditions for Recognition and the obligations on the Centre when using Open
Awards provision.
Open Awards will assign a Business Relationship Manager to your organisation and
support you in the Centre Recognition process.
As part of the Open Awards quality assurance process a Recognised Centre will be
monitored regularly by an assigned Quality Reviewer (QR) who will report on your
organisation’s on-going commitment and continued Recognition as an Open Awards
Centre.
www.openawards.org.uk
Phone: 0151 494 2072
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3. New Qualification and New Course Notification Forms
New Qualification Forms
A New Qualification Notification Form must be completed when a centre wishes to
offer learners a full qualification and can be completed to request approval for your
Open Awards Qualifications. These forms are available to download from the
‘Documents’ section of the secure portal. A centre should complete a number of
mandatory fields:
Recognised Centre Name
Centre Contact
Centre Contact Role
Email Address for Centre Contact
Telephone Number for Centre Contact
Qualification Details – The qualification that the centre wishes to offer
should be selected from the drop-down menu. If the centre wishes to offer the
qualification at more than one level the highest level required should be
selected as the lower levels will automatically be made available. Repeat this
exercise if more qualifications are required.
Similar Existing Qualifications Offered – Information about any
qualifications already offered by the centre via another awarding organisation
should be entered in this area to support the assessment of the centres
suitability to offer the Open Awards qualification.
Declaration - This section must be completed to enable the form to be
processed.
Completed New Qualification Notification Forms should be submitted via the
‘Documents’ section of the secure portal.
www.openawards.org.uk
Phone: 0151 494 2072
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New Course Notification Forms
A New Course Notification form should be completed if you wish to package Open
Awards units into a course.
These forms are available to download from the ‘Documents’ section of the secure
portal. A centre should complete a number of mandatory fields:
Centre Name
Curriculum Development Contact
Course Title - A centre must not use the words ‘Open Awards, Award,
Certificate or Diploma’ or any terms that could be confused with a
Qualification e.g. Functional Skills or ESOL Speaking and Listening. Also the
centre must avoid using ‘Access to …’ except where a course is a QAA
recognised Access to HE Diploma.
Approved Internal Verifier – If a centre has an Approved Internal Verifier
(AIV) and that AIV will be asked to verify the course their name should be
entered in this field. If a centre does not have an AIV this field should be left
blank.
Intended Credit Value (ICV) – The total number of credits that a learner is
expected to achieve on the course must be entered here. This may be the
credit total of all of the units listed on the form if learners are expected to
achieve them all or may be the credit total of a combination of units. Open
Awards use the intended credit value to levy charges for local courses and so
it is very important that you complete this accurately. Learners should not be
awarded more credits than the ICV on the course. Open Awards will monitor
achievement of the learners against the ICV.
Age(s) of Learners – The age range of learners should be marked on the
form so that Open Awards can make sure that the units entered are
appropriate for the age of the learners.
Qualification – If you wish to offer learners any of the Open Awards
‘Progression’ or ‘Skills for Further Learning and Employment’ this box should
be completed with the name and Qualification Accreditation number of the
appropriate qualification.
Total Number of units offered – This information is required so that Open
Awards can ensure that no units have been missed off the course form.
Units – All unit details (Unit Title, Unit Level, Credit Value and Unit Code)
should be entered for each unit offered on the course in the table provided.
Confirmation – The person who has completed the form should complete
this section so that any queries can be fed back to the correct person.
Completed New Course Notification Forms should be submitted via the ‘Documents’
section of the secure portal.
www.openawards.org.uk
Phone: 0151 494 2072
Open Awards Centre Handbook (Version 2.1)
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Units
Open Awards have a variety of units available in our unit bank which can be
accesses via the Open Awards website www.openawards.org.uk. This includes
qualification units regulated by Ofqual, non-regulated units and Access to Higher
Education Units.
If you are unable to locate the units you require then Open Awards can help by
guiding you in writing an unregulated local unit which meets your specific needs.
Open Awards has extensive experience in writing units and approving them. Units
can be written for specific learning requirements and to support employers and
training providers.
Please contact your Open Awards Business Relationship Manager for more
information and guidance on writing units.
www.openawards.org.uk
Phone: 0151 494 2072
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Date Authorised: September 13
4. Qualification Credit Framework (QCF)
When delivering Open Awards QCF Qualifications centres should ensure that the
rules of combination are fully adhered to, including the use of mandatory and
optional units. The rules of combination enable the learners to benefit from the
flexibility of the qualification whilst enabling full qualification achievement. The rules
of combination specific to the qualifications are outlined in the Qualification Guides.
4.1 Exemptions, Equivalents, Credit Transfer and RPL
With the introduction of the QCF it now enables learners to avoid duplication of
learning and assessment through equivalences or exemptions as follows:
For achievements within the QCF it is possible to transfer credits (equivalent)
Individuals with certificated achievements outside the QCF can claim
exemption from the requirement to achieve credits for designated units
If a learner has previously achieved the same unit through another awarding
organisation this will be classed as a credit transfer.
In all these cases as the learner has already had their achievement recognised, and
will have received a certificate to confirm this, their achievement towards this specific
qualification MUST be shown as an exemption, equivalent or credit transfer and
MUST NOT be allocated any credit achievement.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a method of assessment that considers
whether a learner can demonstrate that they can meet the assessment requirements
for a unit through knowledge, understanding or skills they already possess and do
not need to develop through a course of learning. Therefore the learner is awarded
the unit, so it will show as a unit achievement on the certificate.
For any learner who has previously achieved units that have been approved as
Exemptions, Equivalents, and Credit Transfer or will be achieved through RPL it is
the provider’s responsibility to inform Open Awards at registration, through the use of
the Learner Past Achievement Form. Information about approved exemptions and
equivalents can be found within the Qualification Guide and in Open Awards’
Recognition of Prior Learning Policy available via the Open Awards website
www.openawards.org.uk.
A copy of the form (along with copies of certificates as applicable) must be made
available to the centre internal verifier and the AIV or Quality Reviewer or External
Verifier during quality assurance sampling as part of claiming the award of credit.
www.openawards.org.uk
Phone: 0151 494 2072
Open Awards Centre Handbook (Version 2.1)
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5. Quality Assurance System
Centre Staff Requirements
Open Awards do not generally specify the experience individuals need to deliver its
units/qualifications but it is expected centres will have the necessary facilities,
equipment to deliver, appropriate Quality Assurance systems in place, and
appropriate occupationally competent staff with relevant sector experience for their
role in the delivery of the units/qualifications being offered.
Where Open Awards units/qualifications are developed that have specific
requirements, these are clearly outlined in the relevant Qualification Guide, based on
information specified by the regulators and/or Sector Assessment Strategies.
“Best practice” would be for Assessors to hold the relevant D32/D33/A1/AQA unit(s)
and PTLLS (but Open Awards do not mandate this).
Likewise “best practice” would be for Internal Verifiers to hold the relevant
D34/V1/IQA unit(s) and PTLLS (but Open Awards do not mandate this).
Centres are responsible for ensuring that their staff are occupationally competent
and have access to appropriate training and support. Centres will be encouraged to
take advantage of the Administration, Delivery and Assessment and Quality
Assurance Training opportunities available through Open Awards.
Recognised centres are responsible for notifying Open Awards of staff changes. A
form is available on the website and Portal for this purpose (“Changes to Centre
Staff Request Form”). Completed forms should be submitted to your Customer
Service Administrator either by email or through the Portal.
www.openawards.org.uk
Phone: 0151 494 2072
Open Awards Centre Handbook (Version 2.1)
Page 10 of 36
Date Authorised: September 13
Assessment
Open Awards units and qualifications have been designed around the principle that
the learner will build evidence towards the achievement of the assessment criteria
over a period of time.
Each learner is required to build a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate that all the
assessment criteria associated with each unit has been met. Portfolios could include
a variety of evidence including:
Practical demonstrations
Reflection log/diary
Notes from group discussions
Witness statements
Worksheets
Professional discussion
Record of questions and answers
Peer reports
Assignments – this list is not exhaustive
Tutors and Assessors need to ensure that all evidence presented in a portfolio is:
Valid: it should be clearly demonstrating the knowledge or skills that are set out in
the assessment criteria. It should be clearly the work of the learner.
Reliable: which means that it will in general, produce the same range of responses
from learners, as long as they are used in similar circumstances and with similar
groups of learners.
Inclusive: so that no individual learner is excluded from the opportunity to show their
achievement because of their individual background or experience.
Assessors are required to review and assess all learner evidence and must be
satisfied that learners have achieved all learning outcomes and assessment criteria
relating to the unit being assessed prior to deciding the learner has completed the
unit. Assessors will also ensure that the evidence produced by the learner is their
own work.
Assessors retain records (e.g. Feedback Sheets, Individual Progress Record, Group
Progress Record) on behalf of the centre which are made available and used by the
centre’s internal verifier and Open Awards Quality Reviewer/External Verifier.
Exemplars of assessor documents are available from Open Awards website for use.
Internal Quality Assurance
As a recognised Centre you have undertaken to meet certain requirements regarding
internal quality assurance arrangements as detailed in the Centre Recognition
Application. Compliance with these requirements will be monitored regularly by
your allocated Open Awards Quality Reviewer, who will report on the progress of any
agreed actions for quality improvement.
www.openawards.org.uk
Phone: 0151 494 2072
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5.1 Internal Verification
Definition and Purpose
An effective Internal Verification system ensures assessment practices and
decisions are regularly reviewed and evaluated to ensure the validity of the award of
credit.
Guidance on Internal Verification
Any Centre delivering Open Awards or Open Awards provision must have quality
systems in place to underpin that delivery. Systems will vary between Centres
according to what is appropriate in the particular situation. Practices that work in a
large Centre will not necessarily work in a small one and the context of, for example,
an employer-based provider may mean that there are different requirements from
that of a College. Whatever the situation there are two key points –
1. there must be an appropriate system in place, and
2. There must be evidence that it is implemented effectively.
“Quality System” is an umbrella term that includes a number of key aspects of the
way in which a Centre operates its quality assurance. In reviewing the system that
any Centre has in place we are looking for it to deliver a range of outcomes,
including:
A team of well-informed committed and supported tutors, sufficient in number
for the planned provision
Adequate resources to support learners study
Guidance and support for learners and provision for individual needs
Equal opportunities in practice that help to maximise the participation of
learners
Assessment procedures which are inclusive and offer participation, equity and
reliable standardisation
Systems which provide efficient recording and evaluation.
Real progression routes for learners, and preparation for work and/or further
study including confidence building and basic/key skills achievements.
www.openawards.org.uk
Phone: 0151 494 2072
Open Awards Centre Handbook (Version 2.1)
Page 12 of 36
Date Authorised: September 13
Implementing Internal Verification
Internal Verification is the means by which a Centre ensures that many of these
outcomes are achieved. It is a process by which the Centre regularly samples and
evaluates its assessment practices and decisions and acts on the findings, to ensure
consistency and fairness. It involves two key processes – verification and
standardisation – and is carried out by one or more internal verifier.
The role of the internal verifier is to ensure that:
Assessment is appropriate, consistent, fair and transparent and does not
unintentionally discriminate against any learner
Tutors/assessors receive ongoing advice and support, for example in
designing assessment activities
Learners clearly understand assessment requirements and are given
opportunities to achieve against the assessment criteria by completing
appropriate assessment tasks
Learners’ work is presented in a manner that enables effective verification to
take place
Learners’ assessed work presented as evidence for the award of credit is
authentic
Evidence of learner achievement is clearly mapped to the assessment criteria
Recommendations for the award of credit are valid, reliable and consistent.
Internal Verification arrangements must include as a minimum:
An identified individual responsible for co-ordinating the Internal Verification
process
A planned structure for Internal Verification that incorporates all of a Centre’s
Open Awards provision
An agreed and published annual timetable for Internal Verification, including
Internal Verification meetings
Clear and documented roles and responsibilities for all those involved
A forum for discussion of borderline cases and good practice in assessment
Sampling of assessment tasks and assessed work
Standardisation of assessed work
Full and clear records and action plans
Regular evaluation of the process.
An internal verifier therefore has a central role in the operation of the Centre’s quality
system. A Centre may have one or more internal verifier(s), according to the size
and variety of its provision. All must have experience relevant to the area(s) for
which they have responsibility. They should also have an understanding of quality
assurance and improvement, and the Centre must ensure that they develop their
practice in this field. Open Awards offer introductory and refresher training for
internal verifiers and the Open Awards Approved Internal Verifier (AIV) training
covers both the theory and practice of the role in more detail.
www.openawards.org.uk
Phone: 0151 494 2072
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Centres must take all reasonable steps to avoid any part of the assessment of a
Learner being undertaken by any person who has a personal interest in the result of
the assessment, such as assessing a family member or friend.
To maintain the integrity of the assessment process, internal verifiers must scrutinise
the assessment practices and assessment decisions of any tutor/assessor who has
a conflict of interest, such as assessing a family member or friend, or who has
assessed their own learners, before awards are made. Equally, an internal verifier
must declare any similar conflict of interest to the Quality Reviewer or Specialist
External Verifier.
Models of Internal Verification
There are a number of models of Internal Verification that the Centre can operate,
depending on their particular situation. Some key points underpin all models:
All tutors/assessors must be involved
All Open Awards provision must be included
Nobody can internally verify work that they have themselves assessed.
Model 1 – Single Internal Verifier
This is the simplest arrangement, in which there is one internal verifier who verifies
the work of all of a Centre’s assessors. This model would be particularly appropriate
for a small Centre.
Model 2 – Designated Assessors act as Internal Verifiers
In this model a number of a Centre’s assessors are identified as internal verifiers,
and each is responsible for verifying the work of one or more other assessors. There
must be an identified co-ordinating internal verifier, who has overall responsibility for
ensuring that the verification process operates effectively. S/he would normally
verify assessment carried out by the other internal verifiers.
This model would be appropriate for a larger Centre, particularly where there is
provision across a number of sectors. In this case the co-ordinating internal verifier
is likely to have significant experience in quality assurance that enables him/her to
verify across the range of the centre’s provision.
Model 3 – All Assessors act as Internal Verifiers – “Round Robin”
This model involves a ”circle‟ of assessors each verifying another’s work – for
example assessor A verifies for assessor B, assessor B for assessor C and assessor
C for assessor A. In theory there is no upper limit to the size of the “circle‟, although
in practice it must remain manageable.
One member of staff must act as co-ordinating internal verifier to ensure that the
process operates effectively.
www.openawards.org.uk
Phone: 0151 494 2072
Open Awards Centre Handbook (Version 2.1)
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Date Authorised: September 13
Internal Verification Activities
The following activities must take place during the course of an Internal Verification
cycle. The length of this cycle will vary according to a Centre’s provision. In many
cases this will be based on an academic year, but some will use the calendar year
and others will operate on a “rolling‟ basis with a succession of short courses for
which the start and finish of a “year‟ could be set at any agreed point.
Planning for Internal Verification
A plan of the proposed Internal Verification activity must be developed before the
cycle begins. This must indicate what will happen, when it will happen, who is to be
involved and how it is to be recorded.
Induction and Updating for Tutors/Assessors
All new tutors/assessors must be introduced to the Centre’s Open Awards provision,
processes and practice. It is essential that they:
Have all the relevant units, assessment materials and other course
documents
Clearly understand the assessment requirements and procedures
Have information about, and access to, training opportunities and support
materials, both within the Centre and as provided by Open Awards.
All tutors/assessors must know who is managing the Internal Verification process
and who will actually carry out the Internal Verification of the work they will be
assessing. They need to know what is in the verification plan and about any issues
relevant to their work that may have arisen from previous Internal or External
Verification or from evaluation of the verification process.
Please refer to the Open Awards website www.openawards.org.uk for more
information and suggested documentation to support assessment activities within
your centre. Follow the link to Providers, then select the Quality Assurance,
Assessing Learners link.
www.openawards.org.uk
Phone: 0151 494 2072
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Date Authorised: September 13
Planning and Managing Assessment
It is essential that assessment is carried out in a structured way, both for the benefit
of the learners and in order that effective Internal Verification can take place.
The internal verifier will therefore need to work with tutors/assessors before a course
begins to ensure that:
Assessment tasks allow learners to meet all the necessary assessment
criteria
Wherever possible a range of assessment methods is used
Where more than one tutor/assessor works with a learner group the
assessment tasks form a coherent whole across the course in terms of
content, style and timescale
Where more than one learner group is following the same course the
assessment tasks are either the same for each group or, if the diversity of the
groups requires differing tasks, consistent with each other in terms of fairness
to the learners
Learners are made aware at the beginning of the course what the assessment
requirement will be
A process is in place that incorporates constructive individual feedback to
learners on their assessed work.
Over the course of the year the internal verifier will need to ensure that assessment
is being carried out as planned. This will involve holding regular Internal Verification
meetings with tutors/assessors. These meetings should be specific to the Internal
Verification process to allow it to receive the necessary focus – even if all those
involved work closely together and discuss assessment and verification informally in
the course of their work.
The internal verifier will also need to meet with learners at some point during their
course to ensure that their experience of assessment is positive. In particular it is
important that they:
Understand the assessment requirements
Are receiving clear and constructive feedback on their assessed work
Are making progress towards meeting all the required assessment criteria.
The timing of a meeting with learners should be appropriate to the particular course
and group. It should be far enough into the course for some meaningful assessment
to have taken place, but early enough for any issues to be addressed before the
learners‟ chances of achievement are compromised.
www.openawards.org.uk
Phone: 0151 494 2072
Open Awards Centre Handbook (Version 2.1)
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Date Authorised: September 13
Sampling Assessment
It is the internal verifier’s responsibility to monitor the quality of assessment through
the sampling of assessment practices and decisions. The internal verifier – not the
assessor – should specify the sample of assessed work that s/he wants to see, and
it is important that the sample is sufficient for the internal verifier to form a view on
the consistency and validity of the assessment. The minimum sample size is 10% or
five portfolios, whichever is the greater.
In sampling assessed work the internal verifier must look for evidence that:
Assessment tasks are standard and appropriate for the course and the
learners
Assessment tasks are authentic and belong to the learner
Assessment decisions are fair and consistent, both across provision and over
time
Assessors are providing learners with clear and constructive feedback on their
work
Clear and accurate assessment records are maintained.
It is not usually possible, or necessary, to verify every aspect of assessment at each
Internal Verification exercise or event. A properly selected representative sample
should identify any issues with assessment practices and decisions. To ensure that
a sample is representative, the internal verifier must take into account all variable
factors that may impact on the quality of assessment.
These factors, on the basis of which the verifier defines a sampling strategy, include:
Delivery sites
Tutors/assessors
Number of units
Unit level and credit value
Delivery methods
Assessment methods
Borderline cases
Reasonable adjustments
Issues arising from previous verification.
The internal verifier must check the selected sample in three ways:
All assessment for an individual learner – to ensure assessment is
appropriate, consistent and complete
Specific learning outcomes across a number of learners – to ensure that
assessment is consistent for all learners
Level and credit value – to establish that standards are maintained across
units, assessors and sites, and over time, and continue to reflect the
requirements of the assessment criteria.
www.openawards.org.uk
Phone: 0151 494 2072
Open Awards Centre Handbook (Version 2.1)
Page 17 of 36
Date Authorised: September 13
Please refer to the Open Awards website www.openawards.org.uk for more
information and suggested documentation to support internal verification and
standardisation activities within your centre. Follow the link to Providers, then select
the Quality Assurance, Internal Verification and Standardisation links.
5.2 Awarding Credit
Open Awards supports two ways in which credit can be awarded to learners; through
the role of the External Verifier, or through Direct Claims Status.
Recommendation for Award of Credit: Role of External Verifier
In cases where the internal verifier is not approved (AIV), and for all new Centres,
you will need to arrange for the verification of the Recommendation of the Award of
Credit through your Open Awards External Verifier.
The person from Open Awards who is carrying this out may need, amongst other
things:
Sample the assessment strategy and the assessment evidence provided by
the learners
In the case of qualifications confirm that all elements of the qualification
assessment requirements have been met in order to verify the award
Check that a robust internal verification has taken place and ensure that any
outcomes of this process are included in a quality improvement cycle
Support the development of the provision by making recommendations for
improvement and highlighting good practice in the curriculum area
Ensure that any recommendations for improvement are incorporated into the
Quality Improvement Plan.
www.openawards.org.uk
Phone: 0151 494 2072
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Direct Claims Status
Direct Claims Status (DCS) can be given to a Centre where there is evidence of a
rigorous internal verification system and one or more Approved Internal Verifier (AIV)
for the sector or course(s) where learners are being recommended for the award of
credit.
A Centre where there is one or a number of Internal Verifier(s) holding the Approved
Internal Verifiers status will be able to sign off and claim the award of credit direct for
that Centre’s learners from the Open Awards. This should only be done when the
internal verifier is satisfied, on the basis of their verification activities, that the
learners have met the appropriate assessment criteria. Approved status is
monitored by the Quality Reviewer and can be withdrawn by the Open Awards if
quality systems are not operating effectively.
Should an Approved Internal Verifier leave the Centre it is important that Open
Awards are advised immediately.
Multi-Run Programme Verification Sign Off
A MuIti-Run Programme Verification Sign off Sheet may be completed by the Quality
Reviewer/External Verifier and is intended for organisations that run a large number
of courses/short roll on roll off courses, but who do not yet have DCS/AIV status.
After a minimum of 2 satisfactory centre visits, where quality procedures are found to
be acceptable at the centre, the External Verifier can arrange up to 3 visits in
advance (documented on the MuIti-Run Programme Verification Sign off Sheet
which allows the Customer Service Team to accept RACs between the dates given
without the verifier’s signature/visit.
5.3 Approved Internal Verifier Status (AIVS)
AIVS are only approved following completion of the appropriate Open Awards
training and after providing evidence of good practice (after a minimum of 2
satisfactory EV visits). They are approved individually, for a particular Centre and, in
larger Centres, normally for a particular curriculum area/sector.
AIVS relates only to an individual verifier within a particular Centre and is not in any
way transferable, either between verifiers or between Centres. It can be withdrawn
at any time if either the practice of the verifier or the structure and support provided
by the Centre falls below the expected standard.
All Centres should seek to achieve AIVS for their Open Awards provision in order to
both ensure and measure the rigour and robustness of internal quality systems and
to avoid potential future increases in the cost of quality review.
Please note that AIVs cannot sign off the award of credit in a limited number of
cases, such as externally marked assessments.
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What are the Benefits of AIVS?
Where a Centre has one or more AIV then it is possible, for those courses for which
the AIV is able to verify the RAC, for the award of credit to be approved immediately
on completion of a course and therefore allowing prompt certification. Secondly, the
records required by Open Awards provide an audit trail of internal quality assurance
and improvement. Other benefits include ongoing monitoring and advice by the
Open Awards Quality Reviewer and the opportunity for Centre staff to access
training and professional development.
Routes to AIVS
Role of the Quality Reviewer in Monitoring AIV Status
AIV status can only be recommended by the External Verifier and confirmed by the
Quality Reviewer in an existing Centre that has demonstrated robust internal quality
systems and whose internal verifiers have met the minimum requirements for the
role.
Once an AIV has been approved the Quality Reviewer will monitor their practice by
sampling the Internal Verification documentation and practice. In addition they may
from time to time wish an External Verifier to sample the assessment evidence of the
learners for whom the award of credit is claimed.
Withdrawal of AIVS
Where there is evidence that the required standards have not been met Open
Awards may decide to withdraw approved status of an individual verifier.
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5.4 Centre Quality Review
Once recognised as a Centre Open Awards will allocate a Quality Reviewer and
External Verifier(s).
The Quality Reviewer will have on going responsibility for monitoring your Centre’s
compliance with the requirements of Centre Recognised Status.
The External Verifier(s) will have on going responsibility for externally verifying and
confirming the award of credit.
Initial Quality Review Visit
Following Centre Recognition the Quality Reviewer will contact your Centre to
arrange a visit. The focus of this visit will be to monitor any areas identified for
development in the initial risk assessment process. The Quality Reviewer will
communicate in writing to you using the Centre Report the outcome of this visit.
You should prepare for the visit by collecting together all the evidence of further
development against the identified priorities to show the progress that has been
made since Centre Recognition. This will almost certainly have included a
commitment to attend introductory training offered by Open Awards for key identified
personnel.
Quality Improvement Action Plan
Following the initial quality review visit a Quality Improvement Action Plan will be
drawn up by the Quality Reviewer. This will identify any areas for improvement that
Open Awards requires the Centre to address with allocated responsibility and target
dates for completion being clearly identified.
Continuous Quality Improvement of all Centres
Quality Reviewers will make regular visits to all Centres. During these visits he/she
will:
Monitor the Centre’s compliance with the Centre Recognition agreement by
reviewing course documentation, meeting managers, tutors, internal
moderators, learners and administrative staff
Identify any staff development needs
Through an audit trail ensure that all procedures are being complied with, and
that the award of credit/qualifications to learners is secure
Authorise Approved Internal Verifiers to sign off the award of credit as
appropriate (AIVS)
Monitor the work of AIVS to ensure that the award of credit is secure
Report to the Open Awards on all visits/meetings and update the Quality
Improvement Action Plan.
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A summative report of a Centre’s progress against the plan will be produced as
required and this may form the basis of a further risk assessment of the Centre.
Centres are encouraged to strive for continuous quality improvement and to develop
the skills and experience of staff through appropriate training and CPD.
Where a Centre is demonstrating a robust internal quality system the frequency of
review visits will decrease. Where a Centre is giving cause for concern additional
visits may be deemed necessary and Open Awards may impose additional charges.
In cases where a Centre is giving serious cause for concern sanctions may be
imposed leading to the ultimate withdrawal of Centre Recognition.
External Verification Preparation
In preparation for your centre visit your External Verifier may supply you with a Visit
Planner for you to complete and return to them at least one week before the agreed
visit date.
In preparation you should also prepare responses to the following questions:
1. Do the learning outcomes and assessment criteria provide sufficient detail on
which to base assessment decisions in the unit(s)? If not, why not?
2. Is the credit value and level of the unit(s) appropriate? If not, why not?
3. Is there evidence of a robust well documented internal moderation system
operating across the provision being verified? If not, why not?
4. Is the evidence sampled sufficient, valid and appropriate to support the award of
credit. If not, why not?
5. Have there been any borderline cases?
6. Unit specification and agreed assessment strategy for the unit(s) as detailed in the
qualification guide complied with? If not, why not?
7. Security arrangements for internal and external assessment for the qualification
are appropriate? If not, why not?
8. Any other comments you wish to make about the qualification or the
moderation/verification process.
You will also need to make arrangements for the External Verifier to see all relevant
documentation in relation to the following:
1. Resources, systems and staffing appropriate to support the qualifications provided
2. Evidence staff have access to appropriate training, guidance and support
3. Appeals and complaints procedures that learners are made aware of
4. Valid and reliable assessment of learners’ achievements are conducted and
recorded
5. Assessment standardisation arrangements
6. Internal verification strategy/procedures/sampling
7. Recognition of Prior Learning - Exemptions, Credit Transfer and Equivalent claims
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Remote Monitoring
In order to make the best use of verification time/visits and time of centre staff, Quality
Reviewers and External Verifiers will consider, in conjunction with Open Awards, whether
it is appropriate to visit a centre or carry out the external quality assurance remotely
instead.
It may be considered appropriate where:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
The centre is inactive
The evidence sampled during the previous visit was satisfactory
The External Verifier was satisfied with all aspects of the centre operation
The claim for the Award of Credit only involves a small number of learners
The centre is in a remote geographic location
The centre has a large throughput of learners and/or roll-on roll-off courses
It may be appropriate to use remote monitoring to confirm that:
The centre has implemented the actions/recommendations in their action plan
Evidence has been assessed, internal quality assured and recorded to Open
Awards requirements.
Where remote monitoring is considered appropriate you will be notified of this by your
Quality Reviewer/External Verifier
Where remote external verification sampling is to take place, centres must securely
package, label and distribute learner evidence and associated documentation/records to
their External Verifier by a secure, traceable postal service. Please ensure a return
address is also supplied on the package. Likewise when the External Verifier returns the
work to the centre, they will do so by a secure, traceable postal service. Centres are
expected to bear the cost of any postage incurred.
Lost work - in the event of work being lost in the post between the centre and the
External Verifier, Open Awards will take the following action:
request the centre to make the appropriate investigations with the carrier;
Request alternative evidence from the centre upon which an assessment
decision may be made. If alternative evidence is not available Open Awards
may be unable to certificate.
E-Portfolios – traditionally learner evidence and associated documentation/records
have been paper based. However electronic portfolios/record keeping is now being
supported. Open Awards accepts and endorses “OneFile” e-portfolio online,
paperless, assessment management system and is committed to supporting the use
of paperless/online e-portfolio systems provided they are secure, complete (i.e.
evidence is clearly cross-referenced to the learning outcomes/assessment criteria
and all associated assessment/IV documents and tracking is available) and allow for
External Verifier access.
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5.5 Standardisation
Centres are required to contribute to national standardisation as requested by Open
Awards and also to carry out appropriate internal standardisation.
Internal standardisation involves ensuring that, where there is more than one
tutor/assessor delivering Open Awards provision or more than one site, internally set
tasks and the outcomes of internal assessment are consistent across the range of
courses. It is recommended that internal standardisation meetings include all tutors
and internal verifiers concerned and that action plans are produced and followed up.
Open Awards Quality Reviewers and External Verifiers will ask to see evidence of
internal standardisation activity and of how the Centre identifies and disseminates
good practice.
Internal Standardisation Provides:
Evidence of consistency and a common understanding of credit value and
level
Opportunities for staff to share good practice in assessment, including writing
assignment briefs, benchmarking, evidencing, providing feedback to learners
and record keeping
Opportunities for self-assessment and action planning towards quality
improvement.
Regional/National Standardisation
Open Awards will hold standardisation events by sector on a rolling basis. External
Verifiers will identify samples of learners’ work that they wish to retain for
standardisation purposes during verification visits. Centres will need to retain records
of the assessment and Internal Verification process. Centres will be required to
contribute to standardisation events, and in Centres where AIVS are in place they
will normally be expected to attend meetings.
Evidence for Standardisation
Centre standardisation events will consider evidence produced in the last year,
minimum three from every/tutor assessor, representing the full range of provision.
For Open Awards standardisation events External Verifiers are responsible for
identifying and collecting evidence from Centres.
Following standardisation, for Awarding Organisation purposes, Centres are not
required to retain samples of learner evidence.
Open Awards will decide which of these samples to retain for its own use and for
national standardisation events.
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Standardisation sample must include:
Unit
Assessment Task
Learner’s Work
Tutor Feedback
IV Feedback
5.6 Retaining Evidence
Centre Evidence
Centres must keep complete and accurate records, for at least three years from the
end of year to which they relate, for all qualifications and make these available to
Open Awards on request.
Centres are required to retain the following records:
Name of learner, date of birth and contact address
Title and accreditation number of each qualification and unit studied
Name(s) of assessor(s)
Assessment records, including assessment decision and reason for decision
Name(s) of internal verifier(s)
Internal Verification reports.
Centres must retain all learner evidence at least until the next external verification
visit takes place following certification to allow for appropriate external verifier
sampling of evidence and/or selection of evidence to be used for standardisation
purposes.
Following a successful external verification visit, evidence will be able to be returned
to learners.
5.7 Group & Large Scale Recognised Centre Quality
Assurance Guidelines
What is the definition of a group/large scale recognised centre?
A group/large scale recognition could be:
1. A main (lead) Centre, with over 2 local satellite centre locations attached
2. A single main (lead) Centre with numerous geographically dispersed centre
locations connected
3. A Partnership arrangement of independent sites affiliated to a single Centre
Recognition
4. National Organisation with a sub-regional structure
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In all cases there must be a single named person who takes overall responsibility for
the operation of the Recognised Centre against the Centre Agreement Conditions
based at the main (lead) centre, a named Lead Internal Verifier with overall
responsibility for Quality Assurance and Standardisation across all sites, and a single
named person who takes local responsibility at each of its satellite site(s).
The main (lead) centre plus a pre-selected number of satellite sites may be visited to
ensure a Quality Reviewer/External Verifier visits them over time as part of the
annual Centre Approval Compliance Monitoring visit to ensure QA arrangements
established at the main (lead) centre are in place and being consistently and
satisfactorily adopted at the dispersed/satellite sites.
All learner evidence and associated records/documentation must be made available
to the External Verifier to allow for a representative sample of evidence to be
selected by the External Verifier for external scrutiny, preferably at the main (lead)
centre. This could, for example, be via the use of an e-portfolio. Where this is not
possible and additional visits are required, Open Awards may reserve the right to
pass on the cost of carrying out additional visits to the main (lead) centre.
Centre Documentation
Standardised Assessor and IV documentation must be consistently adopted and
used by the main (lead) centre and all dispersed/satellite centre locations.
Centre Training
Centres are responsible for ensuring that their staff have access to appropriate
training and support. Group/Large Scale Recognised Centres will be strongly
encouraged to take advantage of the Administration, Delivery and Assessment and
Quality Assurance Training opportunities available through Open Awards.
This could be through:
The main (lead) Centre utilising its 3 free training places, attending training at
the current venues offered by Open Awards and taking responsibility to
appropriately cascade the training to its satellite sites.
Contacting Open Awards to arrange for the training to take place at the main
(lead) Centre and/or national satellite sites, at a negotiated cost.
National/International training is available upon request.
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Quality Reviewer/External Verifier Allocation
To ensure a consistent approach, a specific QR and EV will be allocated to the
centre, based on the location of where the main (lead) centre is situated. The same
QR and EV will carry out the visit to the main (lead) centre as well as to the selected
representative sample of satellite sites (as necessary). The representative sample of
satellite sites will be selected by Open Awards, not by the Recognised Centre.
Business Relationship Managers will be encouraged to engage with the Quality
Reviewer and External Verifier at the setting up stages of the Group/Large Scale
Centre Recognition to allow them to provide support and advice on matters relating
to Quality Assurance aspects.
5.8 Centre Closure/Centres who choose to withdraw their
Centre Recognition Status with Open Awards
If a centre wishes to withdraw from Open Awards recognised centre status or have
ceased trading, Open Awards must be notified, preferably in writing (by post or via
email to enquiries@openawards.org.uk)
You may be required to participate in a closing visit to ensure that quality assurance
requirements have been met.
You will be asked to ensure that:
Any RACs for outstanding learners who have achieved their unit/qualification
are submitted and their evidence externally quality assured by your External
Verifier
Your approved centre certificate is returned to Open Awards
Any Open Awards certificates you have been unable to issue to learners are
returned to Open Awards
Open Awards reserves the right to close a centre if it fails to pay monies owing to
Open Awards within the standard payment period outlined in our Invoicing Policy.
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6. Registration and Awards
6.1 Registering Learners
In order to register learners all Centres must have received formal Centre
Recognition confirmation from Open Awards and completed the New
Course/Qualification Notification process which is detailed at Section 3. This enables
Centres to identify the courses/qualifications that they intend to deliver.
Centres should ensure that where Open Awards Qualifications are selected for a
course, learners are registered prior to the Qualification accreditation end date
and/or unit expiry date, and also meet the minimum age requirements (see the
appropriate Qualification guide for this information).
For short courses (less than 15 weeks duration) centres are required to register
learners within 25 working days of the start date of the course. For all other
courses, centres are required to register learners within 60 working days of the start
date. If centres register learners after these times a late registration fee may be
charged and centres will be required to take action to prevent further late
registrations.
All learner registrations submitted to Open Awards will be charged in accordance
with our published charge. Please refer to the ‘Fees and Charges’ section of our
website.
Online Registration
To register learners the Administration Contact should create a new Course Run via
the Secure Portal. For full guidance on this process please refer to the “Web Portal User Guidance Document”.
Fair Processing Notices/Privacy Notice
The Centre must make learners aware that their information will be passed to Open
Awards for registration purposes. You should also provide a copy of the Privacy
Notice to their learners so that they understand how their data is used.
Centres must also make learners aware that upon achievement of Qualifications
and/or Qualification units - if a ULN is present for that learner, achievement details
will be passed by Open Awards to The Learning Records Service for the purpose of
creating/updating their Personal Learning Record.
.
Learners may choose not to share their PLR data and can opt-out as follows:
As part the enrolment process with their learning provider.
By contacting the LRS Customer Helpdesk on 0845 602 2589. They will need
to provide some personal details to confirm their identity, which may
include their Unique Learner Number (ULN), if known.
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Extended Text Privacy Notice
As an awarding body we have a responsibility under the Data Protection Act to
ensure that Learners are informed of how their information is processed and shared.
We strongly recommend that you encourage them to visit the Learning Record
Service website to view the Extended Text Privacy Notice which will explain how
their data may be shared. See link below:
Extended Privacy Notice
Exemptions, Equivalents, Credit Transfer and RPL
With the introduction of the QCF, learners are now able to use past achievement
against units within the QCF to achieve a Qualification. It now enables learners to
avoid duplication of learning and assessment through equivalences or exemptions
as follows:
For achievements within the QCF it is possible to transfer credits
(equivalent).
Individuals with certificated achievements outside the QCF can claim
exemption from the requirement to achieve credits for designated units.
If a learner has previously achieved the same unit through another awarding
organisation this will be classed as a credit transfer.
In all these cases as the learner has already had their achievement recognised, and
will have received a certificate to confirm this, their achievement towards this specific
qualification MUST be shown as an exemption, equivalent or credit transfer and
MUST NOT be allocated any credit achievement.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a method of assessment that considers
whether a learner can demonstrate that they can meet the assessment requirements
for a unit through knowledge, understanding or skills they already possess and do
not need to develop through a course of learning. Therefore the learner is awarded
the unit, so it will show as a unit achievement on the certificate.
PLEASE NOTE: For any learner who has previously achieved units that have been
approved as Exemptions, Equivalents, Credit Transfer or will be achieved through
RPL it is the provider’s responsibility to inform the Awarding Organisation at
registration, through the use of the Learner Past Achievement Form. The
information about approved exemptions and equivalents can be found within the
Qualification Guide.
For Exemptions / Equivalents and Credit Transfer requests, the learner will need to
present the original certificate to the tutor, to show previous achievement. The tutor
will need to take a copy of the certificate and sign and date to verify they have seen
the original certificate. The copy of the certificate must be made available to the
Internal Verifier, along with the Learner Past Achievement Form, as part of the
verification process.
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Amending Course Runs
After registrations have been submitted, the Administration Contact should contact
their Open Awards Customer Services Administrator to discuss any requests for
changes.
Once the course run has been submitted, you may register Additional Learners at
any time prior to the end date of the course (for guidance please refer to the “Web
Portal - User Guidance Document”.). Should you identify learners that have been
missed following the end date of the course; you will need to contact your Customer
Service Administrator for assistance.
An Administration Charge may be applied for amendments made following the initial
registration of learners to a course.
6.2 Recommendation for the Award of Credit (RAC)
The Recommendation for Award of Credit (RAC) form contains details of the course
run (i.e. start and end dates of the course, learner information, units included in the
course/Qualification) and will be available to download once learners have been
registered on a run.
Recommending Credit
Before award of credit can be claimed the Administration Contact is expected to:
Download RACs from the Secure Portal
Distribute RAC to relevant tutors for completion
Receive completed RACs from tutors
Check the RAC is fully completed
Upload the RAC to Open Awards within 3 months of the end date
Retain copies of the RACs
Ensure that the AIV/EV (named on the course run page on the Secure Portal)
has confirmed achievement by verification via the Secure Portal within 3
months of the end date
Tutors are responsible for ensuring that the RAC is completed accurately. Credit
must only be recommended when a learner has achieved all of the learning
outcomes for a unit. This is done by selecting “achieved” against each learner and
the unit they have achieved. If a learner has previously been awarded credit for the
unit(s) this will be shown on the RAC and cannot be re-awarded (Please note; there
is no requirement to mark learners as “not achieved” as this will be logged
automatically by default)
If a unit is to be exempted for a learner according to guidance provided in the Open
Awards RPLA policy the centre should contact Open Awards to discuss.
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Internal Verifier/External Verifier Authorisation
RACs must be fully completed and verified by an Open Awards Approved Internal
Verifier (AIV) or an Open Awards External Verifier.
If the Internal Verifier assigned to verify the course has AIV status (Approved Internal
Verifier Status) then they are able to authorise the Award of Credit. If centres do not
have an Approved Internal Verifier for the course then the award of credit must be
authorised by your Open Awards External Verifier.
If amendments are required to the RAC, these must be organised by the
centre. The External Verifier is not authorised to make any amendment to
RACs presented to them for verification.
If units have been identified as being exempt for a learner (see Open Awards RPLA
policy for more information) then any requests made by the centre to exempt units
for learners must be checked against this form at the point of verification. The
External Verifier/Approved Internal Verifier needs to check that verified copies of the
relevant certificate(s) are included in the learner’s portfolio. If the relevant certificate
is not present in the portfolio, this needs to be raised with the Tutor before
authorisation can take place. If the relevant certificate(s) are present, checks must
be made against the Rules of Combination for the identified Qualification on the
Learner Past Achievement Form. This should include checking that the Unit being
used as an exemption or equivalent is stated as being eligible within the Rules of
Combination for the qualification. If the relevant information is not stated within the
Rules of Combination, this needs to be raised with the Tutor. If the RAC has been
completed accurately, any requests for exemptions have been considered and
agreed and all relevant checks have been carried out on the portfolio/evidence, the
RAC can be authorised by the Approved Internal Verifier/External Verifier and
submitted to Open Awards for processing.
Further information on the assessment and quality assurance processes leading up
to the recommendation for the award of credit can be found in Section 5.
Amending RACs
Before claiming award of credit, please check all pre-printed information is accurate,
including the spelling of learners’ names. The Administration Contact should contact
the appropriate Open Awards Customer Services Administrator to discuss any
requests for changes.
A charge will be applied for amendments made following the award of credit.
www.openawards.org.uk
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6.3 Issuing Certificates
Open Awards will issue certificates for learners who they have recorded on their
systems as successfully completing unit(s), within 35 working days of receipt of
the duly completed and signed RAC form.
For learners registered against Qualifications using the NQNF;
 Upon successful completion of the rules of combination learners will be
awarded the full qualification they were registered for (e.g. L1 Diploma) and a
unit certificate listing units achieved.
 If a learner does not meet the rules of combination for the L1 Diploma they
may, if rules of combination are met, be awarded the L1 Certificate OR L1
Award and a unit certificate.
 Where learners do NOT meet the rules of combination for the award of the
qualification they will receive a unit certificate listing any units they have
achieved.
For learners registered against Courses using the NCNF;
 Upon successful completion of the course learners will receive a course
certificate detailing the course title and listing the units achieved.
 Where the award of credit on a course leads to learners meeting the rules of
combination for a full Qualification they will also receive a Qualification
certificate.
All certificates will be forwarded to your Centre, via recorded delivery, for the
attention of the Administration Contact. Please notify us as soon as possible if you
identify any problems with the certificates that you receive.
Once you have checked that all certificates are present and correct, you must return
a signed copy of the Open Awards Qualifications Certificate Receipt Form to Open
Awards within 5 working days of receipt of certificates. This will acknowledge that
they have been received and will be sent to you with your certificates.
Re-issue and Replacement Certificates
A replacement certificate will be issued within 20 working days of receipt of all
authenticated claims. A charge will be made for each replacement certificate. Where
possible the original certificate(s) must be returned to Open Awards before a
replacement can be issued. Please complete the request form, this is available on
the ‘Provider’ section of our website, and upload this to Open Awards via the Secure
Portal.
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7. Fees and Charges
Open Awards publish charges annually from 1st August. Our Fees and Charges
leaflet is available on our website www.openawards.org.uk and outlines the
following charges:
Centre Recognition Fee
Annual Fee
Development and Quality Assurance Charges (if additional to that specified
under Annual Fee)
Leaner Registration Fees
Late Registration and Administration Fees
Late or no return of RAC
Certificate Re-issue
Training
A copy is also enclosed with your annual membership invoice, or available on
request from Open Awards.
Please refer to our Invoicing Policy for details of how and when your Centre will be
invoiced.
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8. Qualification and Unit Review
Open Awards reviews its Qualifications and units through an Annual Quality and
Standards Review and a Three Year Review of Qualifications and units. The two
processes run concurrently on all Open Awards Qualifications depending on the life
cycle of the qualifications and serve different purposes.
Overall the two review cycles aim to ensure that:
Decisions about the continued need for Qualifications, Rules of Combination
and units are evidence-based,
There is continuing compliance with the design features of QCF
Qualifications, Rules of Combination and units remain fit for purpose and can
be assessed consistently and appropriately
QCF Qualifications and units are mapped to NOS
The Three Year Review cycle is designed to evaluate Qualifications and units
approximately three years after accreditation/local validation so that informed
proposals can be made about their future prior to expiry or withdrawal. The three
year period enables proposals to be evidence-based, and leaves sufficient time for
consultation with external sector experts before action is taken.
The Annual Review is a quality and standards review, designed to ensure that units
remain fit for purpose and that assessment is valid and reliable. Evidence to inform
the review is gathered from the delivery, assessment and awarding of Qualifications
and units and regional standardisation events.
Centres are invited to contribute to the Annual Review process. If you have any
feedback regarding the quality and standards of any of the Open Awards
Qualifications and units please contact Open Awards to request the relevant
Qualification and Unit Review documentation.
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9. Glossary of Terms
Term
Description
Accreditation
Confirmation that learners’ evidence meets the assessment criteria.
Appeal
Procedure through which an Awarding Organisation/Centre may be challenged on the outcome of
an enquiry about results or, where appropriate, other procedural decisions affecting an individual
learner.
Approval Internal Verifier Mechanism whereby Open Awards approves named individuals to authorise the award of credit
(AIVS)
Assessment
The process of making judgements about the extent to which a learner’s work meets the
assessment criteria for a unit or part of a unit. Formative assessment provides feedback to
learners to help improve their performance/achievement. Summative assessment takes place at
the end of a defined period of learning.
Assessment Criteria
The requirements that learners need to meet in order to achieve success for a unit or part of a unit.
Assessment Evidence
Proof that the learner has achieved or is working towards the achievement of assessment criteria.
Satisfactory evidence for all assessment criteria enables the Internal and External Verifier to
confirm the award of credit.
Assessor
Person who assess a learner’s work.
Awarding Organisation
An organisation that awards qualifications. An Awarding Organisation must meet the criteria laid
down by the regulators, e.g. Ofqual.
Benchmark Assessment
Provides a set of tasks that should be used to assess the unit. Tasks can be designed by the
centre, but these must use the benchmark assessments as a guide and must cover all the
assessment criteria.
Centre Recognition
Process through which a Centre wishing to offer accreditation is confirmed as being able to
maintain the required quality and consistency of assessment and comply with other expectations of
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the Awarding Organisation.
Certification
The procedure by which Open Awards recognises the award of credit to learners and issues
certificates and credit transfers.
Certification End Date
The last date on which a certificate can be issued
Credit Value
All units have a credit value. The minimum credit value that may be determined for a unit is one,
and credits can only be awarded in whole numbers. Learners will be awarded credits for the
successful completion of whole unit.
Direct Claims Status
(DCS)
Provides a recognised centre the ability to claim certification from Open Awards directly. Status
conferred on recognised
Evidence Portfolio
Usually a file or folder in which evidence is presented for assessment. An index should be included
showing where each evidence requirement has been met.
External Assessment
Form of independent assessment, where assessment tasks are set (externally to the centre) and a
learner’s work is assessed by the Awarding Organisation. This can either be internally or externally
marked depending on the qualification assessment specification.
External Verifier (EV)
An individual appointed by Open Awards to externally verify and sample learner evidence to ensure
accurate and consistent standards or assessment between assessors operating within a centre and
confirm that all recommendations for the award of credit have been subjected to a rigorous internal
verification process.
Functional Skills
The core elements of English, Mathematics and ICT which provide the essential knowledge, skills
and understanding needed to operate confidently, effectively and independently in life and at work.
Internal Verifier (IV)
An individual appointed by the centre to ensure accurate and consistent standards or assessment,
between assessors operating within a centre.
Learning Outcomes
Express the knowledge, skills and understanding learners are expected to acquire.
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Date Authorised: September 13
Policy
Provides the principles and system on which procedures can be built, it is fixed and concise. A
policy reflects philosophy, values and fundamental aims. A policy tends to be established and
agreed at a higher executive or managerial level.
Procedures
A set of step by step instructions to enable a task or job to be completed.
Quality Reviewer (QR)
Open Awards role responsible for the compliance monitoring of centres.
Quality Systems
Overarching term that includes the keys aspects of the way in which a centre is operated.
Recognised Centre
Process through which a centre wishing to offer accreditation is confirmed as being able to
maintain the required quality and consistency of assessment and comply with other expectations of
the Awarding Organisation.
Recognition of Prior
Learning (RPL)
Method of assessment that considers whether a learner can demonstrate that they can meet the
assessment requirements for a unit through knowledge, understanding or skills they already
possess and do not need to develop through a course of learning.
Standardisation
A process to ensure that the assessment criteria for a qualification, unit or part of a unit are applied
consistently by assessors and verifiers. Standardisation is carried out within centres as well as
across centres.
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Phone: 0151 494 2072
Tel: 0151 494 2072
Email: info@openawards.org.uk
Open Awards
17 De Havilland Drive, Speke
Estuary Commerce Park
Liverpool
L24 8RN