Whether accreditating a qualification or endorsing a short course, you must show as part of your submission evidence that you have in place an effective and thorough internal quality assurance process, to include tutor and assessor standardisation training, programme staff meetings with minutes, learner feedback forms, observations, etc. There are many ways to quality assure but as long as you can evidence how you are internally checking and recording the quality of decision making when assessing and standardising best practice when delivering the accredited qualification/s, you will meet the criteria.
PD:Approval provides on-going external quality assurance for all its approved training providers to provide support to help you to maintain the quality of your delivery throughout each annual approval period.
Endorsement of CPD - Pay As You Go only
After your approval, you will be part of an annual sampling process and may be contacted by a member of our Quality Assurance team to take part in a virtual review of your programme, systems and processes.
Accreditation of qualifications, Foundation and Unlimited endorsements
After your Approval has been confirmed, your allocated External Quality Assurer (EQA) will get in touch to introduce themselves and, if accredited for an entry qualification, organise a virtual review when your first assessment is taking place. The review will focus on the practical skills of the team as well as the assessments/assessment portfolio and internal quality assurance; you will receive full guidance before it takes place. If approved for Foundation or Unlimited training, you will be asked to provide specific evidence for the EQA to review.
Your EQA will provide an annual virtual Grading review report, which is included in the cost of your accreditation renewal fee. However, if a visit is required, a fee of 1400 USD plus 460 USD* per day will be invoiced to you.
If training needs are identified during a quality assurance review, this will be actioned in the EQA's report for training to take place virtually (fees will apply).
Grade Characteristics: Outcomes for Learners
Your EQA will review and evaluate the overall effectiveness of the qualification, including the quality and effectiveness of teaching, learning and assessment and align their judgement and grading to the UK’s Ofsted grading characteristics**
EQAs will evaluate the evidence seen using the following grading scale:
1. Outstanding
The quality and consistency of the teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding. The content is highly relevant and there is evidence of a commitment to continuous improvement. All learners are achieving and are actively encouraged, through leadership, teaching and management to achieve their full potential.
2. Good
The quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good or better. There is evidence of a positive and conducive learning environment. Most learners are achieving and learning outcomes are being met and there are measures in place to support learner achievement.
3. Requires improvement
The quality of teaching, learning and assessment, although it may good in places, is inconsistent in its overall quality. Some learners may be meeting the outcomes, and some learning and outcomes may require improvement.
4. Unsatisfactory
In general, the effectiveness of the programme is inadequate. The quality of teaching, learning and assessment and the outcomes for learners are inadequate. There are weaknesses in leadership and management and learners’ ability to succeed is impaired.
Full details of our Sanctions Policy can be found here.
Please note that if your quality status is Unsatisfactory or Requires Improvement, an additional fee of 530 USD will be payable for the additional support. If a visit is required, expenses will also be incurred. Additionally, there may be the cost of any training that your EQA has specified.
Areas that we quality assure:
- Delivery of training – an observed visit against robust criteria
- Assessment – an observation of learners undertaking the practical assessment
- Systems and processes – desk based and observational
- Certification - your process for providing the official certificates to your learners.
If you have any questions about quality assurance before being approved please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. However, if you have already been approved please contact your EQA.
* Relevant national taxes will be attributed to fees where they apply.
**Ofsted, Handbook for the inspection of further education and skills, January 2015.
