QUALITY
Quality Assurance
At iPET Network, quality assurance is fundamental to all our processes, products and services as an Awarding Organisation. It guarantees the integrity and value of qualifications and assessments throughout their life cycle. Quality is built into every stage of our work, from qualification design to delivery and certification, and it is embedded in the way we collaborate with our approved Centres.
How Can iPET Network Help Your Centre Meet Quality Standards
Our quality assurance processes are designed to prevent, identify and resolve malpractice or maladministration while promoting consistency, fairness and professional excellence.Both iPET Network and our approved Centres operate robust quality management systems that support the effective delivery and awarding of all qualifications.In order to support all types of Centres both large and small, iPET Network offer a range of unique services to include Internal Quality Assurance to allow smaller Centres access to experienced and qualified Internal Quality Assurers.Our team of experienced, occupationally competent External Quality Assurers works closely with every Centre, providing guidance and support throughout the entire quality cycle. Regular continuing professional development and standardisation activities are held across the year to promote best practice and strengthen assessment standards.
What Steps Does iPET Network Take to Ensure Centre Compliance?
iPET Network are required to monitor all approved Centres to ensure they are:
- Compliant with the conditions of recognition set out by the relevant regulators and conditions of Centre approval set out by iPET Network
- Adequate resources are in place to support the effective management and administration of delivering qualifications
- Policies and procedures are current and relevant in line with up to date legislation
- Security of the awarding of qualifications through Centre monitoring of assessments and delivery, Internal Quality Assurance processes through the sampling of candidate portfolios and assessment practices by the External Quality Assurer
What Responsibilities Do Centres Have for Quality Assurance?
Under iPET Network’s Quality Assurance Strategy, Centres must:
- Monitor and maintain the quality, consistency and integrity of the delivery and assessment of iPET Network qualifications within the Centre (including Centre Branches, additional assessment sites and subcontracted providers)
- Ensure a standardised approach to quality assurance practice, under a single documented quality assurance strategy
- Review the strategy regularly and act on the findings of those reviews, taking all reasonable steps to protect the interest of the candidate(s), in case of withdrawal of qualification and/or Centre approval
- Provide records of standardisation activities for Internal Quality Assurers and Assessors
What is the Risk Rating Process?
iPET Network will determine the level of support and sampling by the IQA and EQA through a ‘Risk Rating’ process which is established at the point of approval and then reviewed on a regular basis. The following areas are reviewed as part of the risk rating:
- Tutor / Assessor
- Qualification
For more information please refer to iPET Network’s ‘Quality Assurance Requirements’ policy available for approved Centres.
Centre Assessment Standards Scrutiny (CASS)
Following the introduction of Centre Assessment Standards Scrutiny (CASS) from Ofqual. This approach forms part of Ofqual’s overall strategy to improve the controls Awarding Organisations have in place where an assessment is marked by a centre, relating to Condition H2. iPET Network have communicated their CASS strategy to its approved Centres which sets out the process of moderation for internally marked assessments. This monitoring process will replace direct claims status for any approved Centres that are offering qualifications which require assessments to be marked internally.
Centre and Qualification Approval
Organisations that are considering offering iPET Network qualifications, must go through the Centre approval process. The approval is based upon the ability to meet the Centre approval criteria, which is specified in the iPET Network Centre Application Form. Centre approval includes approval for up to four qualifications.
Once approved, Centres are able to add to the iPET Network qualifications they offer by completing the qualification approval process.
The Centre Agreement with Terms and Conditions apply once approval has been agreed.
Please note that iPET Network reserves the right to not progress with an approval application at any stage prior to approval being confirmed in writing by iPET Network. This is at iPET Network’s discretion and there is no obligation to let an organisation know the reasons, nor is there a right of appeal.
Application Forms
All relevant application forms and documents relating to Centre and qualification approval can be found on the iPET Network website following the link below.
All applications will be risk rated according to their ability to meet regulatory recognition and any specific qualification requirements set out within the qualification specifications.
Centre Definition
iPET Network defines a Centre as an organisation, such as a college, school, Centre or employer approved by one or more Awarding Organisation for the delivery of training programmes and qualifications. Providing that the organisation meets the approval criteria, Quality Assurance Requirements and receives formal written approval from iPET Network, it is defined as a Centre. The location for quality assurance and assessment will vary depending on the organisation. This could be a college site, workplace or even a private residence but must meet iPET Network’s approval requirements.
Written and Enforceable Agreement
All approved Centres must hold a signed, enforceable agreement with iPET Network.
This includes the Centre Application Form, Conflicts of Interest Disclosure, Centre Agreement with Terms and Conditions, the Centre Manual, and all relevant qualification handbooks.
Centres must also adhere to the full suite of iPET Network policies and procedures, including those covering anti-bribery, artificial intelligence and qualification integrity, authentication and identification, complaints, conflicts of interest, data protection, diversity and equal opportunities, appeals, GDPR, malpractice and maladministration, reasonable adjustments, recognition of prior learning, professional conduct, and whistleblowing.
These documents ensure consistent, transparent governance and regulatory compliance across all Centres.
Qualification Approval
Once a Centre application has been accepted, a formal agreement is established between iPET Network and the Centre. This agreement takes effect from the date iPET Network confirms approval for the Centre’s first qualification. The agreement outlines all responsibilities for quality assurance, delivery and certification.
Internal Quality Assurance
iPET Network approved Centres must operate effective and robust Internal Quality Assurance processes. To support our Centres and to establish consistency iPET Network adopt a unique approach to Internal Quality Assurance, each qualification has an IQA strategy detailing the specific IQA requirements such as sampling activity required, recommended tracking and reporting documentation and standardisation requirements.
For more information on quality assurance approved Centres can refer to iPET Network’s ‘Quality Assurance Requirements Policy’.
Standardisation
Standardisation is essential to ensure fair and consistent assessment across multiple Assessors, Tutors or delivery sites. Where more than one Assessor delivers a qualification, the Centre must schedule and document regular standardisation meetings. These sessions align marking practices, identify trends, and share feedback from sampling. iPET Network also hosts national standardisation events for Centres throughout the year, providing an additional opportunity for collaboration and alignment.
Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
As part of iPET Network’s approval process for Centres, all Assessors, Tutors and IQAs must document their CPD completed per year.
Continuous Professional Development ensures that teaching and assessing staff remain current with industry developments, pedagogy, and regulatory updates. iPET Network supports this by offering regular CPD events, training courses and online sessions for approved Centres.
Commitment to Excellence
Quality Assurance at iPET Network is more than a compliance requirement, it is a culture of continuous improvement. Through collaborative partnerships, strong governance and transparent processes, we ensure that every qualification carries genuine credibility and that every learner achieves success based on consistent, fair and professional assessment.
For more information, approved Centres can refer to iPET Network’s Quality Assurance Requirements policy or email the EQA Team at eqa@ipetnetwork.co.uk
