SQAs New Approach to Quality Assurance Matthew McCullagh Quality Manager

Why Have a New Approach? Review of SQA Quality Framework (2006) Continue to protect SQAs reputation and credibility of our qualifications Feedback from Centres

What is our goal? SQA should have a transparent intelligence-led, risk based model for quality assurance of centres delivering our qualifications

Key Changes to our existing Approach Introduced from August 2012 onwards Introduced from August 2012 onwards Supported by on-line guidance for centres Supported by on-line guidance for centres Refreshed Quality Assurance Criteria Refreshed Quality Assurance Criteria Introduction of Risk Rating Introduction of Risk Rating Introduction of Sanctions Introduction of Sanctions Introduction of Action Plans Introduction of Action Plans Refreshed Quality Assurance Reports Refreshed Quality Assurance Reports

Introduced from August 2012 onwards Initial Launch to centres in September 2011 Ongoing Support from Mary Gao Final Launch to centres in September 2012 All Quality Assurance activity follows the New Approach from then on

Supported by on-line guidance for centres

Refreshed Quality Assurance Criteria Each criterion clearly describes what a centre must do to demonstrate compliance. They are: –Organised into 5 Categories Management of a Centre Resources Candidate Supoort Assessment and Verification Records/Data Management

Refreshed Quality Assurance Criteria –Supported by examples of evidence –Graded by their importance –Linked to 4 different Quality Assurance Processes

Introduction of Risk Rating EV RationaleRiskSystems Rationale Severe threat to integrity of assessment decisionsSevereSystemic high risk to effective support of SQA candidates Significant threat to integrity of assessment decisions in short-term.Significant Localised and/or systematic high risk to effective support of SQA candidates in the short term Moderate threat to integrity of assessment decisions in short-term and/or high threat to integrity of assessment decision in long-term. Moderate Significant threat to effective support of SQA candidates in short-term and/or high threat to effective support of SQA candidates in long-term Low threat to integrity of assessment decisions in short-term and/or medium threat to integrity of assessment decisions. Low Localised low risk to effective support of SQA candidates in the short term or medium risk in the long term No identified threat to the integrity of assessment decisions.Very LowNo identified risk to effective support of SQA candidates

Introduction of Sanctions EV SanctionRiskSystems Sanction Withdrawal of specific qualification approval: by verification group by qualification Severe Withdrawal of centre approval Suspension of specific qualification approval: by verification group by qualification Significant Withdrawal of devolved status Withdrawal of all existing specific qualification approval Suspension of specific qualification certification: by verification group by qualification Suspension of approval application by verification group Suspension of direct certification claim status: by verification group by qualification Moderate Suspension of all existing qualification approval Suspension of devolved status Suspension of centre certification Suspension of certification for all qualifications with internally assessed components Suspension of certification for all qualifications with externally assessed components Suspension of qualification approval application - whole centre Entry in Action Plan Low Entry in Action Plan Very Low

Refreshed Quality Assurance Reports Summary Report

Introduction of Action Plans Action Plans will be generated during a visit where one or more non-compliances are identified Action Plans will be generated during a visit where one or more non-compliances are identified Action points will be SMART Action points will be SMART –Specific –Measurable –Agreed –Realistic –Time-bound

Introduction of Action Plans All action points are discussed and agreed with centre management during the visit All action points are discussed and agreed with centre management during the visit All action points within an action plan are MANDATORY All action points within an action plan are MANDATORY Failure to meet action points may result in an increased risk rating and further sanctions Failure to meet action points may result in an increased risk rating and further sanctions

Refreshed Quality Assurance Reports Action Plan

Summary Introduced from August 2012 onwards Introduced from August 2012 onwards Supported by on-line guidance for centres Supported by on-line guidance for centres Refreshed Quality Assurance Criteria Refreshed Quality Assurance Criteria Introduction of Risk Rating Introduction of Risk Rating Introduction of Sanctions Introduction of Sanctions Introduction of Action Plans Introduction of Action Plans Refreshed Quality Assurance Reports Refreshed Quality Assurance Reports

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