Introduction:

Roles and Responsibilities:

IQA Responsibilities:

• Compliance with the quality requirements of the awarding organization, ensuring these standards are met and demonstrable at all times.
• Tutors and assessors are appropriately trained and qualified through rigorous recruitment, induction, and ongoing CPD (Continuing Professional Development).
• Accuracy and completeness of learner records and assessment documentation, readily available for the awarding organization on request.
• Certification claims are accurate and authorized before submission to the awarding organization.
• Monitoring of learner induction processes and application of reasonable adjustment support.
• Ongoing monitoring of learner progression to ensure it aligns with expected timelines.
• Timely provision of advice, guidance, and feedback to tutors and assessors.
• Sampling of assessment activities according to the sampling strategy outlined in this policy.
• Alignment of assessment decisions with qualification and awarding organization standards by leading standardization and promoting best practices.
• Application of RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning), reasonable adjustments, and special consideration in line with awarding organization standards.
• Identification and implementation of CPD needs for tutors and assessors.
• Observation of teaching and assessment practices as per policy requirements.
• Teaching and assessment practices meet equality standards and avoid unnecessary barriers to learner achievement.
• Effective management of conflicts of interest and proactive steps to prevent malpractice.
• Collection and analysis of learner feedback to monitor the assessment process’s quality and suggest improvements for learner progression and experience.
• Prompt and effective response to communications from awarding organizations and EQAs (External Quality Assurers), serving as the primary contact.
• IQA policies and procedures are adequate, regularly reviewed, and understood and implemented by all teaching and assessment team members.

Tutors:

• Delivering learning that accommodates various learning styles and aligns with course/qualification requirements.
• Offering guidance on the types of evidence required in assessments to meet the course/qualification learning outcomes and assessment criteria.
• Providing ongoing support and guidance to learners throughout the course.
• Monitoring learner progress, including the use of formative assessment and feedback, to ensure alignment with course/qualification learning outcomes and criteria.

Assessors:

• Develop tailored assessment plans to meet the specific needs of each cohort or individual learner, fostering relevance and engagement.
• Establish and agree on evidence and assessment plans with learners, providing a clear path to success.
• Conduct assessment judgments with a commitment to program or qualification standards.
• Maintain accurate and thorough assessment records and documentation at each stage.
• Sign and date each assessment record to verify its accuracy and provide a reliable point of reference.
• Provide constructive, criteria-based written feedback to learners.
• Confirm that each learner has fully met the program or qualification requirements.

Sampling Strategy:

• A risk-based approach will guide the frequency and scope of IQA sampling activities.
• Factors include number of learners, assessors’ experience, assessment methods, and range of achievement.

Formative and Summative Sampling:

• Summative Sampling ensures assessment decisions meet awarding organization requirements before certification claims.
• Formative Sampling occurs during the program to provide timely feedback.

Minimum Sampling Requirements:

• New assessor assessing a new qualification: 100% sampling with a minimum of 100 observations annually.
• 60% of all assessors, qualifications, and units.
• Minimum of 100 observations per year.
• All assessments utilizing RPL and/or special consideration.

Induction:

• The IQA is responsible for inducting tutors and assessors on role responsibilities and qualification standards.
• Internal assessment systems, policies, and regulatory requirements are covered.

Standardisation:

• Assessors must attend a minimum of five standardisation sessions annually.
• Sessions include feedback, good practices, and standardisation exercises.
• Declaration of conflicts of interest.

Continuous Professional Development (CPD):

• Tutors and assessors must actively engage in CPD.
• CPD logs must be maintained and submitted annually.
• Records will be available to the awarding organization upon request.

Retention of Records:

• All learner work and related assessment documentation will be retained according to awarding organization requirements.
• Records must be accessible to regulators as needed.