Quality Assurance
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. iPET Network ensures that quality is embedded in the design and delivery of qualifications and programmes, and work with Centres to ensure this. The robust quality assurance process helps to prevent, deter and identify malpractice and maladministration.
iPET Network and its approved Centres must operate highly effective and robust quality assurance management processes to support the delivery and awarding of iPET Network 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 Training Providers access to experienced and qualified Internal Quality Assurers. iPET Network have an experienced team of occupationally competent and qualified External Quality Assurers to support all Centres through each stage of the quality assurance process. There are also regular CPD and standardisation activities and events held throughout the year by iPET Network to offer support in quality assurance. 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
• Centres have adequate resources, management and administration of 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
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 tutors
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 annually. 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.
Training Provider 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 Application Form. Centre approval includes one qualification approval. Once approved, Centres are able to add to the iPET Network qualifications they offer by completing the qualification approval process found on www.ipetnetwork.co.uk.
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 organisations 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 requested from iPET Network info@ipetnetwork.co.uk. All applications will be risk rated according to their ability to meet regulatory recognition and any specific qualification requirements set out within the qualification guides.
Training Provider 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 Networks approval requirements.
Written and enforceable agreement
Where organisations are approved to offer iPET Network qualifications, the written and enforceable agreement must be signed by the Centre and iPET Network. This agreement consists of:
• Centre Application Form
• Conflicts of Interest Disclosure Form
• Centre Agreement with Terms and Conditions
• Centre Manual
• The appropriate Qualification Handbooks
The policies, procedures and regulations including, but not limited to:
• Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy
• Artificial Intelligence and Protecting the Integrity of Qualifications Policy
• Authentication and Identification Policy
• Complaints Policy
• Conflicts of interest Policy, Procedure and Disclosure Form
• Data Encryption Policy
• Diversity and Equal Opportunities Policy
• Enquiries and Appeals Policy and Procedure
• GDPR Policy
• Language Policy
• Malpractice and Maladministration Policy and Procedure (including Sanctions)
• Payment and Invoicing Policy
• Professional Code of Conduct Policy
• Quality Assurance Requirements
• Reasonable Adjustments Policy
• Recognition of Prior Learning Policy
• Risk Rating of Investigators for Malpractice and Maladministration
• Whistleblowing Policy
Qualification approval(s)
Where a Centre application is accepted by iPET Network it will form an agreement between the Centre and iPET Network qualifications (which shall come into force on the date that iPET Network accepts the Training Provider's application for its first qualification approval for an iPET Network qualification).
Internal Quality Assurance
iPET Network approved Training Providers 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 or contact quality@ipetnetwork.co.uk.
Standardisation
Standardisation is a fundamental component to offering consist assessment processes for iPET Network’s qualifications. Where more than one tutor and/or assessment location operate and delivery the same qualifications, the Centre must carry out and document standardisation activity. Standardisation must also be carried out between the tutors and internal quality assurers, this may occur through routine sampling or trends of actions / feedback through cohorts of candidates.
iPET Network regularly hold standardisation activities for its approved Centres to participate in.
Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
As part of iPET Network’s approval process for Centres, all Tutors and IQAs must document a minimum of 30 hours CPD per year. CPD is key to ensuring that they are up to date with current industry standards and any relevant subject area such as teaching and assessing.
iPET Network also offer regular CPD activities, courses and events for Centres to participate in.