2. Qualification Verification 2017/18
Juliette McGinley
Quality Assurance Logistics Manager
Fiona Malone
Liaison Manager

3. Before we start… Workshop information
Using the post its on the tables, capture your thoughts as I update you on NQ, HN & VQ
Two parts to this part of session.
Firstly, a review of NQ verification outcomes last year.
Secondly, looking at our QA approach for next year, 2017/18

4. SQA NQ Quality Assurance
NQ quality assurance outcomes 2016/17
NQ assessment and quality assurance in 2017/18
Two parts to this part of session.
Firstly, a review of NQ verification outcomes last year.
Secondly, looking at our QA approach for next year, 2017/18

5. College sector NQ verification outcomes 2014-17
NQ verification outcomes in the college sector by volume.

6. College sector NQ verification outcomes 2014-17
NOTE: these are the college sector for 2014 to 2017 by %.
Note the % of Not Accepted has been over 20% in each of the last three years (and there was very low volumes in 2014). Compare these to the performance of all sectors on the next slides.

7. All sectors NQ verification outcomes 2014-17
NOTE: these are the outcomes for all sector between 2014 to Note 12-13% not accepted rate. It is something to be aware of that colleges have performed less well. Therefore important to take this back and ensure that staff delivering NQ are well supported.

8. Changes to assessment of National Qualifications
Removal of mandatory units at National 5 ( ) Higher ( ) and Advanced Higher ( )
Greater focus on external assessment; reduced volume of internal assessment
There are changes to the assessment of NQs coming into effect in the next three years.

9. Assessment of National 5 (current)
External Course Assessment
Unit Assessment
Internal Course assessment
Light blue bubbles indicate internal assessment
Some course have internal assessment, but the majority do not.

10. Changes to assessment of
National 5 (from 2017/18) N5
External Course Assessment
Assessment
Internal Course
If courses have internal course assessment, they will look like this…
Note the substantial reduction in internal assessment.
If fact most courses will look like…

11. Changes to assessment of
National 5 (from 2017/18) N5
External Course Assessment
This. If they only have external assessment.
Higher and Adv Higher will follow same process over next two years.

12. What does this mean for QA?
Robust QA process will remain in place for SQA qualifications, but naturally in time the overall volume of verification will reflect the reduction in internal assessment

13. QA : verification
The same basic approach as previous years, with two rounds of verification
Round 1 in February (units)
Round 2 in March-May (principally AVU / IACCAs, but also some units)
National 1–4 and SCQF Level 5 units will no longer be exempt from random selection for verification (but Higher and Advanced Higher will be exempt)
Same structure for verification as in previous years
R1 – February (focus on units at all levels). As in previous years, centres will either be selected for N1-2, N3-SCQF level 5 (formerly N5) or Higher-Adv Higher.
R2 – Mar to May (principally focussed on the N4 AVU, IACCAs (N5, H and AH), but we will also continue to do a proportion of unit verification then to ensure we have appropriate coverage. This includes of SCQF Level 5 units which may be picked up in either round.
With exception of Higher and Adv Higher units will no longer be exempt from ‘random’ selection for verification. We will continue to use proportionate and intelligence led approach to selection.
Annex B of the last ANQ announcement, where it states:
“Appropriate quality assurance processes, including the reintroduction of random sampling for verification of units, will need to be in place to ensure the integrity of unit and course certification”

14. QA 2017-18 The nominee system will close.
Our focus of support will be on delivery of revised courses.
Understanding standards materials are available to support internal assessment.
Appointees will undertake verification activity.
We have invested a great deal in building understanding of standards and capacity in the system, and we believe that this will continue to be of benefit to centres for years to come. With the reduction in unit assessment, however, we feel that our support offer should be directed differently. This was agreed in consultation with ADES.
US materials are available across our range of units and our CPD programme will support internal assessment, which may be requested via. local authorities.
Appointees will be used for all verification activity, but we will invite nominees to apply for these roles.

15. QA
Approval – if you are new to delivering these subjects you will need to request approval for:
National Courses: Care, Childcare, Philosophy, Psychology, Sociology, Practical Metalworking, Practical Woodworking, Practical Electronics
All Skills for Work
Awards, NPAs, PDAs, NCs, Foundation Apprenticeship Awards
Deadline: 29 September 2017
Just a reminder about approval – please not that Practical Metalworking, Practical Woodworking, Practical Electronics are new to this list.
Approval is by level, but note that the Practical Metalworking, Practical Woodworking, Practical Electronics are only N5.

16. SQA HN VQ Quality Assurance
HN VQ quality assurance outcomes 2016/17
HN VQ quality assurance improvements for 2017/18
Two parts to this part of session.
Firstly, a review of NQ verification outcomes last year.
Secondly, looking at our QA approach for next year, 2017/18

19. Qualification Verification Activity
Improvements for 17/18
Quality Assurance Management System (QAMS)
Allocation Timetable and notification to centres
Introduction of Deputy Lead Verifier role
Training for Qualification Verifiers
QAM Management System and supporting processes and documentation to support the online changes

20. Qualification Verification Planning
SQA/College Planning meetings (July – August)
Selections Released to Verifiers
Initial Contact by EVs/SQA
Product Block
End September 2017
October
HN, SVQ, NQ
End October 2017
November
End January 2018
February
End March 2018
April
HN Graded Visiting
April (SQA)
HN Central Verification

21. Deputy Lead Verifier Supporting, Mentoring and Monitoring of SEVs
Standardisation of QV Practice and QV Decisions
Measuring Key Performance Measures of SEVs

22. Quality Assurance Management System
Benefits
Visit Planning
QAMS
Visibility of SLAs
Visit planning online (remote/visiting)
Notification to centres of allocation
Visit re-plan process
Visit plan will advise of Double Banking
Supporting Process
Standard requesting additional info
QV guidance – sampling/visit/remote planning process/assessment sites, assessors/IV

23. Visit Reporting/Feedback
Quality Assurance Management System
Benefits
Visit Reporting/Feedback
QAMS
One agreed action date
One evidence type
Evidence Review report – full history of criteria and actions
Outcome rating change
Event ID on communication
Units verified rather than units selected
Supporting Process
Guidance documentation
SEV/DLV monitoring
Outcome of QV form
Outcome/Sanctions relationship
Training on Report Writing
QA Logistic -contact information in QV centre guidance

25. HN VQ Appointee Training
SEV Training - June 2017
VQ Verifier Training - August 2017
Standardisation - September/October 2017HN
SEV/DLV Role
Standardisation of Subject/Practice
Report Writing
Visit Planning
Feedback
Consistency of Approach
QAMS Training
Communication and Feedback
Digital Evidence
Dissemination of Information
Standardisation of practice
Standard Agenda Items
Standardisation of 16/17 Reports
Review of Reports
Monitoring Reports
Mentoring EV/SEVs
Ongoing Support

26. Summary Standardisation of External Verifier practice and process
System enhancements which facilitate improved qualification verification activity
Feedback to SQA

27. Feedback & Questions?