CIS Assessment – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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CIS Assessment FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
FAQ Index - click on the question to go to the answer
Am I entitled to use the online assessments without charge?
How can I access the online assessments if I am not entitled to free or funded access?
How does the system save us money?
How much does it cost?
Can we access more assessment modules?
CQC ask for training certificates so how can I reduce training course attendance?
How do we organise user names and passwords for our staff?
How do we login?
What happens if I forget my password?
How easy is it to use?
What happens if people have learning needs?
What if people need additional support to use IT?
Are there any user instructions?
Can some people do the assessments on paper if computers are really an issue?
Some of the questions don’t fit my situation
How can managers find out when staff have taken assessments or added evidence to assessment results?
Is there a certificate?
What reports can I have?
Can you provide assessments for new subjects?
Can we develop our own assessments?
I am concerned that we have to spend time reviewing assessment results
What happens if people don’t understand the questions
Do you provide assessments in different languages?
Can we take assessments on smart phones and smaller devices like Netbooks and iPads?
info@cis-assessment.co.uk
0845 873 0373
www.cis-assessment.co.uk
CIS Assessment – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Am I entitled to use the online assessments without charge?
Some people will be able to access our system without charge as it is funded through Local Authorities, Care
Associations, national organisations and charities. If you complete the “contact us” form on the website www.cisassessment.co.uk, we will check and let you know. Alternatively, you can email support@cis-assessment.co.uk or
give us a call on 0845 873 0373. (Click here to go back to FAQ index)
How can I access the online assessments if I am not entitled to free or funded access?
It is always worth checking if you are entitled to funded access first. If not, complete our “contact us” form on the
website www.cis-assessment.co.uk and we will check and let you know. Alternatively, you can email
support@cis-assessment.co.uk or give us a call on 0845 873 0373. If you let us know what assessments you are
interested in and the number of staff you have, we will be able to advise you of our user license prices and any
current offers we have available. (Click here to go back to FAQ index)
How does the system save us money?
CQC have clearly stated that managers must assess workers’ knowledge against the required training standards.
Attending training courses is not an excuse for not assessing knowledge. Managers must assess workers and
check that they meet the standards irrespective of whether they have attended a training course or not.
If you use our system before sending qualified and experienced workers to training courses, in many cases you
will identify they already have all or some of the knowledge required and this means they do not need to attend
training courses. The assessment results will show you areas for discussion and development. You can then
decide if they need some coaching during supervision to make sure they meet the standards. They may need to
do some learning but this could be by using experienced members of staff as mentors through shadowing in the
workplace. They could use e-learning or many of the free learning resources available on the internet, for
example, via www.scie.org.uk. We provide workbooks for the Common Induction Standards and these can be
used to help individuals to learn. These methods of learning are far more cost effective than training courses and
also gives you the flexibility of enabling people to learn at a convenient time, for example, when you are fully
staffed without sickness. Training courses mean people spend time out of the work place at a fixed time and you
are likely to need to provide replacement cover staff. You may have to take them off the course at the last
minute if someone is sick but still pay the course cost.
You send people on training courses to get the knowledge to do the job but if you can evidence they already have
the knowledge and that they are putting it into practice through observations, then they don’t need to attend
induction or refresher training as this would be a waste of time, effort, backfill, money and other resources.
Case studies on our website evidence how organisations have saved money using the assessments. Bracknell
Forest Borough Council have saved thousands of pounds by reducing their staff turnover by almost 50% by using
our system to value the existing knowledge of staff. West Berkshire Council saved thousands of pounds by using
assessments to evidence staff met training standards, removing the need to send people to training courses.
Case studies are on our website at: http://www.cis-assessment.co.uk/default.asp?p=cs
There is also a cost benefit analysis on our website showing how organisations can save money by reducing the
costs associated with training courses at:
http://www.cis-assessment.co.uk/docs/pdf/Cost%20Benefit%20Analysis.pdf.
(Click here to go back to FAQ index)
info@cis-assessment.co.uk
0845 873 0373
www.cis-assessment.co.uk
CIS Assessment – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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How much does it cost?
If you are not entitled to free or funded access, we can send you our current price list. Prices vary depending on
the size of the assessment module and the number of users. The more user licenses bought, the lower the price
per person. Prices start from £3.50 per person.
From the second year onwards, you will only pay 20% of the initial cost to maintain access and for us to support
you. This is because most of the set up and costs are incurred during the first year. Larger organisations can
choose to pay a 40% renewal fee and we will provide an enhanced administration function with additional
workshops.
If you use the system to cut down the amount of training courses, the cost will be recovered many times over.
See under “How does the system save us money?” (Click here to go back to FAQ index)
Can we access more assessment modules?
Yes you can. It is worth checking what modules you are entitled to under your account. You can buy access to as
many modules as you want. (Click here to go back to FAQ index)
CQC ask for training certificates so how can I reduce training course attendance?
CQC want evidence that staff have the right knowledge and skills to do the job. CQC have stated clearly to us that
managers must still assess the knowledge and skills of staff even if they have attended training courses because
training certificates alone do not provide evidence of knowledge and competence. This is also stated by Skills for
Care in their induction guides and April 2011 document entitled “Meeting the workforce regulations: Skills for
Care advice on CQC’s workforce specific outcomes; 12,14 and 25.” Inspectors will still ask to see training
certificates to check you are using training as one of the methods for evidencing that you are providing your staff
with the right knowledge. An effective response to CQC’s request for training certificates is to produce evidence
that you have assessed and recorded workers’ knowledge using our system and that you use assessment results
to train workers to meet their specific learning needs using a variety of methods to suit their learning style and
your available resources. You can give examples like workbooks, internet research, e-learning, shadowing,
coaching, mentoring and training courses and show them evidence of what you use alongside formal observation
of practice and ensuring the best outcomes are delivered for the individuals you support. If you explain that you
add evidence into the online assessment system once learning has taken place to check the worker has learnt
from their learning activity and through observations of their practice, you are also checking they are applying this
in the workplace. We have already received feedback that inspectors are impressed by this where it is properly
implemented. If this is not what you experience, CQC recommend that you (or we) content that confidentially via
their website so they can make sure this is the approach that all of the inspectors are taking. (Click here to go
back to FAQ index)
How do we organise user names and passwords for our staff?
If you send us an email with staff names, we will set them up for you. We can set up small numbers of staff over
the phone and show you how to set up your own individual users. We will set staff up in a way that the manager
can see the assessments they have taken and their results. Tell us about your structure and we will set the system
up so it meets your needs. (Click here to go back to FAQ index)
info@cis-assessment.co.uk
0845 873 0373
www.cis-assessment.co.uk
CIS Assessment – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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How do we login?
Once you have a user name and password, go to www.cis-assessment.co.uk and click on the “login” button on the
top right side of the website. Type in the user name and password you have been given and click on the “login”
button below. When you login for the first time, the system will ask you to choose your own personal and secure
password. Once logged in, staff can take assessments and view their results. Managers can also view the results
of their staff. If you have access to the Adults Common Induction Standards assessments, you will also have
access to the online workbooks to support the learning in this area. (Click here to go back to FAQ index)
What happens if I forget my password?
The most effective way to reset your password is to go to the website www.cis-assessment.co.uk. Click on the
“login” button in the top right corner. Then click on the green button in the middle of the screen that says
“Forgot password? Click here”. You will be emailed your reset password as soon as a member of our team
checks it. During office hours, this is usually within 30 minutes. It may take a little longer out of office hours. You
can also telephone us during office hours. (Click here to go back to FAQ index)
How easy is it to use?
Most of our customers have confirmed that the system is very easy and straight-forward to use. Even people
without previous IT experience have become enthusiastic about computers after using our assessments.
Testimonies from people using the system are on our website:
http://www.cis-assessment.co.uk/default.asp?p=ct. (Click here to go back to FAQ index)
What happens if people have learning needs?
When you login into the system and take an assessment for the first time, you can set you accessibility options.
These can be changed at any time but once set, the settings will apply every time you login. Options include
larger font sizes, different text colours and backgrounds. As everyone is different, if there is a setting we haven’t
included, let us know and we will add it for you. It is also acceptable for someone to sit with an individual who
needs to take an assessment to drive the computer asking them the questions and telling them the answer
options. The computer driver must not prompt the individual on how to answer the question. This may help for
people with learning needs or impairments who cannot use computers or paper based assessments. Paper based
assessments could also be used by a mentor or during supervision by the manager to assess knowledge although
this will take much longer. (Click here to go back to FAQ index)
What if people need additional support to use IT?
When you login into the system and before you take an assessment for the first time, you can set your screen
options. Once set, they will apply every time you login (although these can be changed at any time). Options
include larger font sizes, different text colours and backgrounds. As everyone is different, if there is a setting we
haven’t included, let us know and we will add it for you. It is also acceptable for someone to sit with an individual
who needs to take an assessment to drive the computer asking them the questions and telling them the answer
options. The computer driver must not prompt the individual on how to answer the question. This may help for
people with learning needs or impairments who cannot use computers or paper based assessments. Paper based
assessments could also be used by a mentor or during supervision by the manager to assess knowledge although
this will take much longer. (Click here to go back to FAQ index)
info@cis-assessment.co.uk
0845 873 0373
www.cis-assessment.co.uk
CIS Assessment – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Are there any user instructions?
Yes. Once logged in. Click “support” in the menu on the left of the website then click on “support guides” to view
or download step by step instructions for carrying out various tasks. We are also developing video instructions so
you can watch and be guided.
We also publish a “Manager’s Guide to using the assessments” on our website which gives both managers and
users information about using the assessments.
We provide workshops for managers for organisations purchasing 100+ user licenses of induction assessments
and 500+ other assessments. Alternatively, workshops can be purchased at £350 for half day and £600 for 2 half
day sessions in one day. (Click here to go back to FAQ index)
Can some people do the assessments on paper if computers are really an issue?
Yes. We have written a paper based assessment version (new May 2011) where online assessment is impossible.
This does mean that someone (an administrator or manager) has to enter the results into the system in order to
be able to use the system as a supervision tool and evidence portfolio for the worker. The worker will still need to
have an account set up and someone will need to generate their paper based assessment and print it because the
assessment questions are randomised so no two paper assessments are the same. The results can be entered
onto the system within a few minutes. (Click here to go back to FAQ index)
Some of the questions don’t fit my situation
In some work settings, in some situations, it may be appropriate to touch people, for example if they have
sensory impairment, to support them to walk, if they are upset. In other work settings or with some individuals, it
may not be appropriate to touch them at any time. The assessments cannot cover each individual situation or
work setting but are designed to stimulate discussion to make sure you know what is right for your work setting.
If you answer correctly, but the system marks the answer correct, you can add evidence that the situation is
different for circumstances during your work and your manager can mark the outcome correct if they are happy
you have the right knowledge to meet it. (Click here to go back to FAQ index)
How can managers find out when staff have taken assessments or added evidence to assessment results?
Managers can login at any time and view their staff’s results and add evidence. We are working on a future
function where managers can request email alerts for this. (Click here to go back to FAQ index)
Is there a certificate?
Yes, we could provide you with a one page certificate to use if you need one which the manager can sign to show
they have met their responsibility in checking the worker’s knowledge.
However, we recommend you use the results pages instead. They are much better than a certificate because
they evidence knowledge which a certificate or training course does not do. You can show CQC these online to
save printing paper or you can print them if needed. (Click here to go back to FAQ index)
info@cis-assessment.co.uk
0845 873 0373
www.cis-assessment.co.uk
CIS Assessment – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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What reports can I have?
The system currently provides basic reporting information. If you would like any kind of report, please contact us
via support@cis-assessment.co.uk or telephone 0845 873 0373 and explain what you need and we will be able to
provide it within a few days. It is useful for us to know what reports you would like. We are currently consulting
with our customers on what additional reports would be of use for you to run and access immediately yourselves.
We are writing a new function so you can run different reports depending on your organisation’s needs.
(Click here to go back to FAQ index)
Can you provide assessments for new subjects?
Yes we can. If we are developing the subject already, you might want to receive discount in return for helping us
to test them. If we are not developing the subject already, we would be happy to work with you to develop it.
Depending on your level of involvement, we would give you fully funded access for an agreed number of licenses
for an agreed period of time. (Click here to go back to FAQ index)
Can we develop our own assessments?
Yes you can. You need to have a set of standards to measure knowledge against, then several sets of questions
and answers for each standard. We work on an average of 8 questions with a minimum of 5 but no maximum for
each outcome. The more questions, the better the randomisation. If we cannot or you do not wish us to sell the
assessments you create, then you will can pay for licenses to have exclusive use of the assessment module. If we
can sell the assessments you create to another organisation, we would give you fully funded access.
(Click here to go back to FAQ index)
I am concerned that we have to spend time reviewing assessment results
Managers have to assess workers’ knowledge irrespective of whether they attend training, undertake other
learning, have qualifications or have experience and even if they have already undertaken an induction at a
previous organisation. See more information under “CQC ask for training certificates so how can I reduce training
course attendance?” In order to meet the Skills for Care requirements, managers should already either be asking
questions about each outcome which is extremely time consuming or using our system to evidence and record
that this has been done, which is significantly faster, saving hours of supervision time.
(Click here to go back to FAQ index)
What happens if people don’t understand the questions
The questions have been written by qualified trainers and are reviewed regularly. We have had lots of feedback
from customers and managers that the questions are appropriate and many, as intended, provoke thought and
discussion. People will have different levels of knowledge, different comprehension of knowledge and different
ways of learning. If people don’t understand some of the questions, they are likely to need more attention during
their induction period and to meet the required standards. It might be that English is not their first language and
that they need some support with their English language skills. See more information under “What happens if
English is not a person’s first language”. If you feel specific questions are unreasonable, we would welcome this
feedback and the opportunity to discuss this with you so that we can ensure our assessments provide the best
possible quality. (Click here to go back to FAQ index)
info@cis-assessment.co.uk
0845 873 0373
www.cis-assessment.co.uk
CIS Assessment – FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Do you provide assessments in different languages?
We do not do this for organisations in England because Skills for Care do not produce the induction or training
standards in other languages. It is essential that people working in care are able to communicate reasonably well
in English for many reasons. Some examples are: so they can read policies and procedures, participate in training
activities, recognise and respond to abuse and record information in care plans that others can understand.
We can provide assessments in different languages where organisations outside of England wish to use the
standards used in England or standards that apply to their specific country or region.
(Click here to go back to FAQ index)
Can we take assessments on smart phones and smaller devices like Netbooks and iPads?
Yes you can. We are continually working to keep up with new and improved technology available. If you come
across a device where the assessments do not work well, please let us know and we will make sure this is
reviewed by our technical team. (Click here to go back to FAQ index)
info@cis-assessment.co.uk
0845 873 0373
www.cis-assessment.co.uk