Aspire2

Sue McGlynnWilliam Blacklock

Aspire2

We’ve reached ‘the end of the beginning’ Next step

address any outstanding issues complete any action plans due to the regulator

Step after that ensure on-going compliance be prepared to supply evidence to Ofqual at short

notice and respond promptly when asked

Aspire2

Involve the staff, management and Governing Body in all key decisions and keep records

Develop an evidence log against the General Conditions of Recognition (GCR)

Make sure you have easy access to records and reliable data

Be open and transparent and publish information on your website

Aspire2

Commit to an on-going review process Assess and capture how processes and

procedures work in practice Consider GCR when planning new initiatives Develop active risk management across the

board Always be proactive – don’t be reactive

Aspire2

Need to consider compliance with:

Dealing with inactive organisations Issue around guided learning hours (GLH) Regulated qualifications must appear on the

Register Maintenance of confidentiality Fitness of purpose of assessments

Aspire2

Supports prioritisation of resources Most concern raised by academic

qualifications because of the danger of systemic risk

Ofqual will be ‘crawling all over’ the big AOs

Ofqual characterised as ‘Air Traffic Controller’ and not ‘Car Crash investigator’

Aspire2

Learners – performance is not recognised or is evaluated incorrectly through inadequate assessment

Standards – the benchmark demanded by a particular qualification is not aligned with public expectations

Efficiency – cost effectiveness and value for money

Public confidence – possibility of damaging confidence in the whole system

Aspire2

170 AOs offer ‘other’ qualifications - do more bodies create greater risk?

Risk rating for most ‘other’ qualifications is assessed as ‘medium’ or ‘low’ – is this supportable?

What about Level 3 or Level 4 vocational qualifications leading to Foundation Degrees – low risk or high risk?

75% of all ‘other’ achievements come from 8% of qualifications (Ofqual, 2012)

Aspire2

Indications of lack of resource or of expertise

Evidence of lack of effective management and governance

Unsatisfactory self-evaluation procedures Questions around the quality and standards

of qualifications Perceived lack of cooperation

Aspire2

End to end audit of ways of working Full forensic audit Focused investigation by Ofqual team Requirement for analysis of extra data and

information

Aspire2

Tools at Ofqual’s disposal include:

• Imposing conditions of recognition• Applying accreditation requirements• Entry and inspection powers• Giving a direction• Imposing a fine • Withdrawing recognition• Recovering the costs of enforcement

Aspire2

Temptation to try and ‘fly under the radar’ Confusing ‘risk-based’ regulation with ‘light

touch’ regulation Minimising risk in some areas of operation

whilst overlooking others False sense of security Regulatory resources do not align with

needs of ‘other’ qualifications and their AOs We have entered the new regulatory arena!