Welcome

Senior Verifier Event Juliette McGinley QA Logistics Manager

Past, Present and Future Housekeeping - Optima New Approach to QA Improvements & Benefits This session– staying same but improving practice Moving forward 2015/16

SQA’s Approach to QA Events 880 Visit Plans received in session 2013/14 Session Completed Visits Ongoing Suspension of Certification Not Running 2013/14 1677 75 127 327 2012/13 749 - 51 293

SQA’s Approach to QA Outcomes 2013/14 1513 compliant SQA’s Approach to QA visits 164 non-compliant SQA’s Approach to QA visits, of which 121 now compliant Significant Strengths Strengths outweigh Weaknesses Some Strengths Some Weaknesses Weaknesses outweigh Strengths Significant Weaknesses 1513 21 135 5 3

Criteria Compliance Levels 2013/14 Criterion Impact Green Amber Red 2.3 Low 1242 30 1 2.4 High 1308 33 2 2.8 1645 20 3 3.2 Medium 1653 10 4.1 1609 60 4 4.2 1608 63 4.3 1587 81 4.5 1660 14 4.6 1663 8 4.7 1670 5 4.8 1656 9 6.6 1664

Quality Framework and NQ Visits Status Type Completed Visits Not Running Holds 12/13 13/14 Visiting NQ 183 379 176 72 9 14 Visiting HN/SVQ 1461 245 1041 22 48 10

David Pirnie Lead Verifier – HN & VQ Senior Verifier Event David Pirnie Lead Verifier – HN & VQ

Qualification Verification Approval and Qualification Verification – a general update on: The current approval guidance for Qualification Verification. Qualification Verification guidance and queries from Session 2013/2014.

Approval Guidance Qualification Verification Approval Guidance follows this format: Quality Assurance Criteria by section, for example, Resources, Candidate Support. Evidence required from the applying centre in relation to the Quality Assurance Criterion in each section. Support guidance in relation to each Quality Assurance Criterion.

Quality Assurance Criterion Resources 2.4 Records must be maintained to provide evidence that the centre has sufficient competent staff who have the necessary qualifications, occupational experience and understanding to support the assessment and internal verification of qualifications being offered in the centre. Application Evidence B4.1: Staff Details: for each staff member listed, you need to complete the supporting document: ‘Staff Qualifications and Experience’ listing your staffs’ qualifications (full titles rather than abbreviations), telling us where and when they were gained and a brief outline of the experience they have in relation to the qualification/units they will be assessing and/or verifying. Original qualification certificates or copies should be provided at the approval stage for assessors and verifiers of SVQs/QCF Units.

Support guidance HN Unit, Assessors and internal verifiers need to be competent in the subject/occupational area to a level appropriate to the qualification. This means providing evidence of experience and current practice in line with the qualification approval being sought. In addition, a relevant qualification in the subject area would be best practice but not essential unless a specific requirement of the unit specification or assessment strategy. HN assessors and internal verifiers also need to be competent in assessment (or internal verification) of the type involved in the qualification. This means providing experience of current assessment/ verification practice in line with the qualification requirements. A relevant qualification in assessment/verification would be best practice but not essential unless . . .

Approval Guidance - features Where necessary, information is grouped separately for HNs, SVQs and QCF Units. Guidance more detailed in terms of the information/evidence being sought at the approval stage. Please look through this guidance before undertaking an approval visit.

Quality Assurance Guidance A minor update of this guidance and the Qualification Verification Guidance will be made for Session 2015/2016. Feedback on these guidance documents can be communicated through the QA Appointee Website at ANY TIME.

Example of queries processed and turned into FAQs this session Is there still a requirement for the external verifier to sample the work of the internal-verifier-candidate for L&D11 as there was with V1? Can you give some more examples of what is meant by ‘Good Practice’ in the QV Report? If I achieve QCF Assessor/Verifier qualifications, would they be recognised if I then went on to assess SVQs?

FAQs location http://www.sqa.org.uk/qaappointee FAQs currently found on the QA Appointee Website under QV Queries. The same Website should be used for posting any queries you would like a response to concerning Approval/Qualification Verification requirements/guidance. http://www.sqa.org.uk/qaappointee

Queries highlighted in QV Reports last session Red applies when absolutely no relevant evidence is available. At times different judgements are made relating to Criterion 6.6. Clarification needed on when to complete ASV & QV boxes. Criteria 4.1, 4.2 & 4.3 – ensuring comments match each criterion. Assessor/IV table at times incomplete.

Understanding SQA’s Quality Assurance system Centres SQA open Quality Assurance Website Centre training run in-house or by SQA Self–evaluation against QA Criteria Attending Professional Development Workshops run by SQA Dialogue with SQA staff/appointees Qualification Verifiers Annual updates QA Appointee Website (guidance held here) Dialogue with colleagues

Senior Verifier Event Juliette McGinley QA Logistics Manager Moving forward – session 2014/15

Moving Forward QA Management System Induction for appointees Senior Without Portfolio – Pilot update Standardisation Meetings Appointee Website Workshop 2 - Senior Verifier role review

QA Management System IT review of feedback Improvements Timescales

QAMS Feedback Most positive features Pre-populated centre information Ability for Senior EV to view all team’s reports at all times Auto calculates Outcome Rating Can see at a glance what the non-compliant criterion are Most common improvements suggested Auto-save/more Save buttons Spell Check (use Firefox or most up to date IE) One system for all QV activity/removal of EV+ Streamline scribble pad with online report (in progress)

Induction

Induction – 3 Stage Process Stage 1 - Pre Induction Day Course Work Stage 2 - Induction Day Stage 3 - Post Induction Day Case Study Work

Stage 1 - Induction 5 Modules of e-learning: Module A - Qualification Verification Practice Module B - Roles and Responsibilities Module C - Assessment: The purpose, principles and practice Module D - Internal Verification: Purpose Roles and Practices Module E - Quality Assurance Criteria Final Multiple Choice Assessment – passmark 75%

Stage 2 - Induction Prepare for Qualification Verification Planning for Qualification Verification Carry out Qualification Verification Communicate Qualification Verification Decisions Completing Qualification Verification Report

Stage 3 - Induction Sign off from Stage 2 Case Study to complete a QV Visiting report and visit plan Year 1 Senior Verifiers will be notified of new appointees after successful sign off at stage 2 Case Study will be reviewed internally however each Senior Verifier will be notified of the outcome of induction and case study

Senior Without Portfolio (SWP)

Senior Without Portfolio (SWP) Senior Without Portfolio Piloted 2013/14 9 SWP in total Mentored 104 Singleton appointees 21 Double bank visits 55 required full support

Senior Without Portfolio - The role explained Overall Identify and agree individual support needs Organise support needs where required Provide advice, support and guidance in relation to qualification verification Monitor progress Accompany on double bank visit/mentor role

Senior Without Portfolio - The role explained Planning Familiarisation with templates and documents Review of centre allocations and visit dates arranged Reminders for candidate lists Advice and guidance given on how to complete the visit plan Visit plans being reviewed prior to issue to centre

Senior Without Portfolio - The role explained Feedback from EVs with SWP Reports being reviewed prior to submission to SQA Suggestions to enhance report Clarification sought on points being made to remove ambiguity

Senior Without Portfolio - The role explained Continued Support Assistance with EV+ QA Appointee Website Assist with arranging alternative mentor Use of scribble pad and manual calculations

Mentors To assist appointees with the move to SQA’s approach to quality assurance, SQA has 7 appointees who undertook mentor activity for session 2013/14 Mentors carried out 44 Double Bank Visits

Standardisation Online request for Standardisation Meetings Annual Standardisation Meetings will be scheduled in line with QAMS to allow for training Standardisation Meeting Minutes and/or Decision Logs must be submitted to qav@sqa.org.uk within 10 days of meeting Fees and expenses will be paid upon receipt of Standardisation paperwork

Final Updates New communications area under construction – users should subscribe to be alerted to new content QV Calculator “App” now available on website. Encourage EVs in groups to use this Online Standardisation Meeting Request Online TARE form also under construction. Users should select either Approval or Verification visit type which will direct the content to correct department automatically

China Verification Activity Activity schedule Visiting Verification January 2015 March 2015 September 2015 Graded Unit Central Events May 2015 July 2015