Using Ofqual Regulations to Work Effectively with Awarding Organisations, Improve Quality & Reduce Bureaucracy (WS5925)

Thursday, 20th September 2012, London Euston

Overview

Ofqual’s role is now strategic and their remit is to focus on regulating the awarding organisations. You will have seen the impact of this in the recent investigations of some awarding organisations and the information they appear to have given in training about exam content. The action Ofqual has taken is through their new regulation "General Conditions of Recognition". This regulation applies across all QCF and Ofqual regulated qualifications and it is only a matter of time before Ofqual's attention turns to the post-16 sector and qualification routes.

There are many benefits to this new regulation; it brings increased flexibility and opportunities for centres to drop bureaucracy and spend more time on practice rather than paperwork.

Changes mean:

• Awarding Organisations (AOs) now have the responsibility for establishing the detail of what they require from their centres.
• The NVQ Code of Practice only applies to NVQs in the NQF.
• Ofqual’s new regulations General Conditions of Recognition (May 2011) state that AOs must “set out all the requirements with which the centre must comply…”

This means you can ask your AO representative to show you where the AO states you must do what they ask. This is your opportunity to examine your existing procedures and documentation and make appropriate challenges in areas that are burdensome (signatures and dates on evidence, for example).

This event will cover how the QCF is different from the NQF and will illustrate the flexibility it offers; it will explain the new regulatory model and tell you who is responsible for what. The practice required for assessment and quality assurance and the associated records will also be confirmed. You will leave the event knowing precisely what awarding organisations are responsible for, the service you can expect from them and how to work with your EQA, including making positive challenges to any requests.

Objectives

By the end of this event, you will be able to:

• Explain the strategic role of Ofqual and the responsibilities of Awarding Organisations
• State key changes and implications of the new regulations
• Know what expertise and/or qualifications your staff may need
• Review your organisation’s assessment and QA processes
• Rationalise your current documentation.

Content

The following themes will be covered during the day:

Introduction: Understanding how the QCF changes practice

• Learning outcomes and assessment criteria
• Learning domains and taxonomies
• Holistic delivery of units and efficient use of guided learning hours (GLH)

The role of Ofqual and the new regulations

• Ofqual’s remit
• Awarding organisations and their centres - how things have changed
• Making the most of your External Quality Assurer (EQA)
• Where does it say that? (Page and paragraph references to help you reduce bureaucracy)
• Assessment and quality assurance
• Bringing assessors and IQAs up-to-date
• Who needs which qualification?
• Where PTLLS, CTLLS and DTLLS fit.

What delegates have said about this topic:

"Thank you this was very valuable"
Quality Development Manager - Leicester College

"Very useful, would recommend to all quality staff and assessors/trainers"
Information Systems Quality Auditor - Stephenson College

"Very useful, excellent presenter"
Quality Performance and Standards Verification Officer - Kirklees College

"Very informative and well delivered"
Regional Officer Accreditation - Workers Educational Association

Who Should Attend?

This event is for anyone involved in the management or delivery of QCF or NQF qualifications. It will be particularly useful for quality managers and internal quality assurers (IQAs) responsible for systems and procedures, and for liaising with the Awarding Organisation.

Programme

View Programme

Facilitator

The facilitator was formerly a LLUK Policy Advisor who managed the review of qualifications aimed at assessors and quality assurers. She is one of only a handful of people nationally with a detailed, in-depth knowledge of the units and the approaches needed to develop staff and assess competence in this area. She is a highly experienced trainer and will cover the facts about the new qualifications; their content, delivery and assessment. The facilitator is experienced at designing and delivering training that promotes active learning, using practical exercises and resources to equip delegates to implement the learning from the event. She is best placed to highlight the benefits and challenges these qualifications bring and explain the right ways way to prepare staff and organisations for their introduction.

Venue and Travel

Venue details and travel information will be included in your confirmation email. If the venue has not been confirmed at the time of booking, then the information will be emailed to you closer to the event.

Booking & Confirmation

Bookings will only be accepted on receipt of full payment PRIOR to the event via cheque, BACS or credit card.  Cheques to be made payable to ‘National Training Resources Limited’.

All reservations will be confirmed by email within two days of receipt of your completed booking form and payment in full and will include venue details and times.

Please direct all conference queries to the Conference Team.
Tel:  0845 130 6152 or 01827 63919.
Fax:  01827 60836 or 01827 61428. 
Email: conferences@national-training.co.uk

Terms & Conditions

Please read our full terms and conditions. Completion and return of the Booking Form constitutes a contract between yourselves and National Training Resources Limited.  Delegate cancellations/transfers are only accepted up to 3 weeks prior to the event and are subject to a small administration charge. Delegate substitutions can be made at any time.  We reserve the right to cancel or alter the event at any time.