Learning from audit and proposed new statutory guidance on the General Conditions of Recognition
I recently re-read Ofqual's report on the Spring 2015 audits and came away with a new learning point. The report stresses that if ‘we (Ofqual) incorporate good practice in guidance it will be necessary for all awarding organisations to have regard for it’ which seems fair enough. However, having recently looked at the draft guidance that was out for consultation for me it included some prescriptive ways of working that could be unrealistic for some AOs. For example, guidance that suggested AOs should provide training for centres/individuals on some matters. So all of a sudden written guidance and other support would be insufficient? To address these issues getting some feedback from centre’s /others on the quality, relevance and satisfaction with written guidance would help, or perhaps centre’s prefer that form of guidance?
The other strong signals from the audit report included:
- Don't rely on others
Ofqual don't recognise that some qualifications were developed when AO practices were less developed, or when skills councils etc had a strong hand in things: that was accepted at that time. What Ofqual want is for AOs to satisfy themselves that qualification assessment (for example) is fit for purpose. This could have implications for many AOs to accelerate the timing for review of some qualifications that were originally built on jointly agreed or shared approaches.
- Having named resources, and clear quality assurance and controls that are followed
This seems like a no brainier, including following the procedures in qualification development and logging each and every piece of evidence and progress is the only way. Not having documentary evidence is not an option.
The good thing is you can expect notice from Ofqual if they want an audit visit. My next blog on 26th February will look at some things to help prepare for an audit.
Heather Venis
Principal. Awarding First