Introduction to Quality Assurance Standards Date May 2012

Skills Development Scotland Contents Welcome introduction Quality Assurance Framework Coffee Break/Handouts Support from SDS Questions and Answers Introduction to Quality Scotland

Skills Development Scotland Introduction The three main aims of today: Provide information on the updated SDS quality standards for the delivery of training. Offer an opportunity to ask questions about the standards and how they will be implemented. Explain details of support SDS will offer Providers to work towards and continually improve against SDS quality standards.

Skills Development Scotland SDS Quality Framework The Framework is designed to take assurance from other sources where possible. SDS do not want to increase the burden placed on Providers therefore SDS QA Assessors will work with providers to match evidence already held for alternative measures to SDS Standards. Providers can use the SDS Quality Framework as a stepping stone to wider European quality awards that could be of benefit to their organisation beyond that of NTP/ILA delivery.

Skills Development Scotland How the model was developed The Model was developed following review of available models and approaches taken by organisations such as: –Quality Scotland - EFQM; –The Improvement Service - PSIF; –HMIE; and –Training Quality Standards The SDS Quality Standards are based on the EFQM and HMIE approach. The model takes account of: –survey completed by Providers –general feedback from Providers

Skills Development Scotland SDS Quality Standards The new SDS Quality Standards are applicable from April 2011 and the framework will be rolled out during the 2011/12 contract year. Providers are required to work towards the new standards and to complete a self-assessment to provide details of how they meet them. During 2011 Providers will be consulted and given the opportunity to comment on the Framework to ensure it provides suitable benefits to all involved. SDS will conduct a review during 2011 and any necessary revisions or updates will be made by the end of March 2012 for the 2012/13 contract year.

Skills Development Scotland Quality Accreditation Team Karen Walker Manager Christine Young / Iain Brown Team Leaders and QA Assessors Quality Assurance Assessors: Richard Wilmanski Carol Robertson Valerie Murray Margaret McGroarty Keith Spalding Administration: Yvonne MacEachan / Pamela McAskill SIA Champions: Cindy Cannon Pauline Burns Alison Hamilton

Skills Development Scotland Role of Provider From 2011/12 SDS requires all Providers to demonstrate: They are working towards the new standards. The extent to which they are meeting the quality standards. Steps they are taking to improve the quality of training they deliver and the support they are providing to the learner. Submit annually a Self-Assessment to SDS.

Skills Development Scotland Quality Assurance Process Providers will submit annually a Self Assessment and Action Plan to SDS via central SDS mailbox. SDS Quality Assessors will review each Self Assessment and visit Providers to examine supporting evidence. Providers will update their Action Plan and prioritise areas for improvement. SDS Quality Assessors will visit Providers on a cyclical basis to review evidence held. SDS will adopt a consistent scoring model and moderation process when reviewing achievement and allocating levels reached.

Skills Development Scotland Self-Assessment A primary component of the SDS Quality Framework, in line with other quality models, is self assessment. The Framework requires Providers to: –take ownership of assessing how well they are meeting the SDS Standards. –Identify own strengths. –Identify priority areas for improvement.

Skills Development Scotland Quality Assurance Standards There are 9 standards that focus on the learner and outcomes achieved.

Skills Development Scotland Quality Assurance Standards 5 Activity or Enablers Leadership Planning of Training Delivery Staffing Partnerships and Resources Delivery of Training 4 Outcomes or results Learner Outcomes Staff Outcomes Partnership Outcomes Organisational Outcomes

Skills Development Scotland 1. Leadership 1.1 Leaders of the Provider set a clear mission, vision and values for the organisation. 1.2 Leaders take responsibility for the development of the Provider’s training services. 1.3 The Provider actively encourages continuous improvement in training service development and delivery. 1.4 Leaders ensure that the organisation is flexible enough to cope with internal and external drivers for change including changes in the needs and expectations of learners.

Skills Development Scotland 2. Planning of Training Delivery 2.1 Provider plans to deliver training services in line with its Strategic and Operating Plans. 2.2 The Provider takes appropriate action to achieve the aims, objectives and targets of its plans. 2.3 The Provider responds appropriately to changes in its external and internal environment. 2.4 The Provider engages with employers to ensure their needs are met. 2.5 The Provider engages with learners to ensure their needs are met.

Skills Development Scotland 3. Staffing 3.1 The Provider has effective workforce planning for staff involved in training delivery. 3.2 Training staff are appropriately competent. 3.3 There is productive working relationships between staff, learners and partners 3.4 The Provider is effective in recruiting, selecting and retaining the right quality of staff. 3.5 The Provider effectively develops staff involved in training delivery.

Skills Development Scotland 4. Partnership and Resources 4.1 The Provider has appropriate partnerships with local communities, other Providers, employers and public sector agencies. 4.2 The Provider provides potential and current placement providers/employers with appropriate information, advice and support. 4.3 The Provider manages and uses its resources and learning environment for the benefit of learners. 4.4 Effective contracting process is in place.

Skills Development Scotland 5. Delivery of training 5.1 The Provider develops and delivers programmes and services to meet the needs of learners from all backgrounds. 5.2 The Provider encourages and supports its trainees to be effective learners. 5.3 The Provider uses its resources well to ensure effective learning. 5.4 The Provider has working relations with partners and learners that are effective for successful training delivery. 5.5 The assessment process for qualifications is used to promote effective learning. 5.6 Potential and current learners are provided with information, advice and support. 5.7 The Provider sustains continuous improvement through self-evaluation and internal review activities

Skills Development Scotland 6. Learner Outcomes 6.1 The training programmes and services are accessible, flexible and inclusive. 6.2 The programmes and services meet learner needs. 6.3 Learners make progress, attain qualifications, and achieve more widely against the Curriculum for Excellence criteria.

Skills Development Scotland 7. Staff Outcomes 7.1 The Provider motivates its staff and engages them in setting and achieving objectives, aims and targets. 7.2 Staff reflect on and participate in plans to improve services. 7.3 Staff work well together.

Skills Development Scotland 8. Partnership Outcomes 8.1 The Provider ensures programmes and services meet employer needs. 8.2 The Provider ensures programmes and services meet the needs of other stakeholders (e.g. placement providers). 8.3 The Provider monitors the effectiveness of programmes and services delivered for employers.

Skills Development Scotland 9. Organisational Outcomes 9.1 The Provider achieves its aims, objectives and targets. 9.2 The Provider achieves and maintains high levels of trainee retention, achievement and progression.

Skills Development Scotland Quality rating Following the review of Providers’ self assessments and supporting evidence, SDS’s Quality Assessors will confirm the level to which the Provider meets the Standards and award them a Quality rating. The Quality ratings will identify the level the Provider has reached. The initial level will be for new Providers only and will show that they are “Committed to Improvement”, when a Provider can demonstrate they meet the standards they will be classed as an “SDS Approved Provider”.

Skills Development Scotland Coffee Break/Handouts During the break can you write any questions you have on the post-its provided and place them on the flipcharts or pass them to a member of SDS.

Skills Development Scotland Priority Areas for Improvement Identify Strengths and Areas for Improvement Prioritise Areas for Improvement Draw Up Action Plan

Skills Development Scotland Action Planning – Managing Improvement Details to be included on the Action Plan: –Name of Organisation –Period covered by the Action Plan –Criteria or Standard –Actions to be Implemented –Individual responsible for Action –Date Action Started / Finished –Resources Required –Review of Actions

Skills Development Scotland Managing Improvement Tool

Skills Development Scotland Questions and Answers Questions raised today and answers given will be collated and posted on the Quality webpage along with those of other sessions

Skills Development Scotland Next Steps Details of Standards and examples of documentation is currently on the Quality Assurance section of Provider Central. Information sessions are being held during May. Providers are being asked to start collating evidence to allow them to complete a Self Assessment demonstrating their level of compliance with SDS Quality Standards. Providers will be notified when they should submit their Self Assessment. This will be determined by the date previous QA documents were received by SDS and on the quality demonstrated at that time.

Skills Development Scotland Support Guidance on interpretation of SDS Quality Standards and completion of the Self Assessment will be available to Providers from SDS Quality Assessors on request. Support will be available from Skills Investment Advisors on an ongoing basis. Work is underway for Self Assessments to be web based. The SDS QA Framework is meant to enhance any Quality measures the Provider currently has in place and the SDS Standards have been cross referenced to HMIE; Curriculum for Excellence and can be mapped to other measures as necessary.