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 Training Providers to ensure this. The robust quality assurance process helps to prevent, deter and identify malpractice and maladministration.
iPET Network and its approved Training Providers 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 Training Providers 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 Assurer’s. iPET Network have an experienced team of occupationally competent and qualified External Quality Assurers to support all Training Providers 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 Training Providers to ensure they are:
• Compliant with the conditions of recognition set out by the relevant regulators and conditions off Training Provider approval set out by iPET Network
• Training Providers 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 Training Provider 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, Training Providers must:
• Monitor and maintain the quality, consistency and integrity of the delivery and assessment of iPET Network qualifications within the Training Provider (including Training Provider 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 Training Provider 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
• Training Provider
• Qualification
For more information please refer to iPET Network’s ‘Quality Assurance Requirements’ policy available for approved Training Providers.
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 (Training Provider), relating to Condition H2. iPET Network have communicated their CASS strategy to its approved Training Providers which sets out the process of moderation for internally marked assessments. This monitoring process will replace direct claims status for any approved Training Providers 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 Training Provider approval process, refer to Training Provider Approval Flow Chart. The approval is based upon the ability to meet the Training Provider approval criteria, which is specified in the iPET Network Application Form. Training Provider approval includes one qualification approval. Once approved, Training Providers are able to add to the iPET Network qualifications they offer by completing the qualification approval process found on www.ipetnetwork.co.uk.
The Training Provider Agreement with Terms and Conditions apply once approval has been agreed.
Please note that iPET Network reserve 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 Training Provider 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 Training Provider as an organisation, such as a college, school, Training Provider 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 Training Provider. 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 Training Provider and iPET Network. This agreement consists of:
• Training Provider Application Form
• Conflicts of Interest Disclosure Form
• Training Provider Agreement with Terms and Conditions
• Training Provider 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 Training Provider application is accepted by iPET Network it will form an agreement between the Training Provider 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 a iPET Network qualification).
Internal Quality Assurance
iPET Network approved Training Providers must operate effective and robust internal quality assurance processes. To support our Training Providers 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 Training Providers 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 Training Provider 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 Training Providers to participate in.
Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
As part of iPET Network’s approval process for Training Providers, all Tutors and IQA’s 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 Training Providers to participate in.