Introduction:
Britsafe™ Qualifications UK Limited requires all personnel, including contractors, to fully understand and comply with obligations regarding confidentiality, alongside the procedures established for identifying, monitoring, and managing actual, perceived, and potential conflicts of interest. A conflict of interest arises when an informed and reasonable observer might conclude that an individual has competing interests that could compromise their ability to make objective and unbiased decisions or act in alignment with the best interests of Britsafe™ Qualifications UK Limited, the awarding organization, or its regulatory bodies.
A personal interest constitutes a specific type of conflict of interest directly associated with an individual. It is present when an informed and reasonable observer might determine that a person holds interests in any activity potentially leading them to act in ways contrary to their interests. These personal interests may be financial or non-financial. Examples include:
- An examiner assessing work submitted by a learner with whom they have a personal relationship.
- An individual overseeing an exam for a learner with whom they have a personal connection.
- A tutor acting as an invigilator for their students.
- Any staff member holding a direct or indirect financial interest in the outcome of an assessment.
Declaring Conflicts of Interest:
All staff and stakeholders are required to promptly report any interests that may conflict with their duties and responsibilities to their line manager or another member of the management team. Should there be any uncertainty regarding a potential conflict of interest, staff are expected to discuss the matter with their line manager or a management team member for clarification.
Additionally, staff and stakeholders must complete an annual written Conflict of Interest Declaration, disclosing any actual or potential conflicts of interest. Staff may also be reminded and asked to declare conflicts of interest during formal meetings, such as exam boards and standardization meetings.
Managing Conflicts of Interest:
We are committed to taking all necessary steps to prevent conflicts of interest from causing or having the potential to cause adverse effects. If such a conflict arises, we will take all reasonable measures to minimize its impact and notify the relevant awarding organization accordingly. Staff with a personal interest in an outcome will be excluded from participating in malpractice investigations, appeals, or other related activities.
Ongoing monitoring activities include:
- Regular reviews of declared conflicts of interest.
- Internal quality assurance monitoring of learner assessments, markers, and assessors.
- External quality assurance of learner work by the awarding organization.
Confidentiality:
All staff and stakeholders must safeguard information and uphold the confidentiality of all personal data, activities, meetings, documentation, and records. Staff and stakeholders must not duplicate or share any Britsafe™ Qualifications UK Limited materials, including assessment materials related to qualifications, with external parties unless explicitly authorized.
Personal data of learners or other individuals must not be disclosed or shared without proper authorization. Any breaches of confidentiality must be immediately reported to a management team member. Individuals with a personal interest in the outcome of an investigation into potential privacy violations will be excluded from participating in the investigation process.
Reporting to the Awarding Organization:
Any identified potential or actual conflicts of interest or breaches of confidentiality that may cause or have caused an adverse effect will be reported to the relevant awarding organization. The organization may then provide guidance or instructions on necessary actions to mitigate any such effect.
Retention of Records:
A record of all potential or actual conflicts of interest, along with the actions taken to mitigate any associated risks or adverse effects, will be maintained. These records will remain confidential but may be made available to the regulated organization or its regulators as required.
