1. Qualification Review

2. Project plan Rationale for change
Who has been involved in decision making
Working groups
Qualifications fundamentals
Framework Structure
Assessment overview
Transitional arrangements
Training from 2019 onwards
Apprenticeships and the framework
Operational Delivery
Action taken
Questions

3. Rationale for change
Qualifications need to evolve with working practices. After 12 years of the current qualification, the professional body needed to ensure that qualifications are fit for purpose.
Opportunity to modernise the professional qualification to equip TSP’s now and in the future. Reviewing the skills and knowledge for the evolving roles and responsibilities within the industry.
The design of the qualification standardises knowledge of officers by removing the module approach. Will provide a breadth of knowledge in the area of TS work. Depth of specific knowledge developed within the local service and to the local authority needs.
The changing TS landscape has resulted in a 57% decrease of
students into the current qualification. CTSI Council and boards
agreed that CTSI can no longer financially subsidise the qualifications.

4. Who
In 2015, a comprehensive review of the TSQF was carried out by the TSQF Focus group.
This group consisted of Lead officers, Heads of Service, Trading Standards specialists, Regional representatives and academics who reviewed different options.
Council considered all options and took the decision to change the framework and to concentrate on the core areas of trading standards.
The Qualifications & Awards Board (QAB) are tasked to oversee the development of the new qualification.

5. Working groups
The CTSI Executive and QAB set out the development of the new qualification into seven working groups.
Each working group focuses on a specific are of development.
The working group members are an alliance of QAB members, Council members, ACTSO members, Trading Standards Specialists and highly experienced Academics.

6. Process of each working group
Agreed outcome
QAB feedback provided to working groups
Information gathered from meeting provided to QAB
Working group meeting

7. Fees, Registration, Syllabi, Regulations, & Prior Learning
Annual registration fee applicable.
Registration into framework, students will become members of CTSI.
Students will complete ongoing CPPD throughout the duration of the framework each year.
Unit Syllabi will be published soon.
Work has commenced on the regulations that will govern the framework. Content of current regulations being reviewed as well as consideration of problems students and executive have experienced in TSQF. Additionally, new aspects introduced into framework will require regulatory control to establish level playing field for all.
A review of prior learning will commence shortly. Direction given to reducing the burden on the student and authority.

8. Stage 1
Is aligned to level 4 of the National Qualification Framework and consisting of 3 units.
Structured meetings for the Stage 1 working group began in March 2017.
Stage 1 has been confirmed and agreed by Council. Syllabi has been created, the Examiners and Moderators are currently reviewing all elements of the syllabi. The syllabi will be available on the CTSI website in the next few months
Application process has started to put assessors and examiners in place to develop the assessment requirements in further detail.

9. Stage 2
Is aligned to level 5 of the National Qualifications Framework and consists of 3 units.
Stage 2 is a complex qualification with many elements to take into consideration to ensure candidates taking the new qualification are fully equipped Trading Standards Practitioners on completion of the qualification. The Examiners and Moderators are currently reviewing all elements of the syllabi. The syllabi will be available on the CTSI website in the next few months
Meetings for this Stage have been ongoing since April 2017.

10. Stage 3
In July 2017 work commenced on the development of this stage. This level will be aligned to Level 6 of the National Qualifications Framework.
The working group is concentrating on what this stage will consist of.
Focus is on:
Students with prior qualifications that could be used as part of this level
Students without recognised prior qualifications requiring a route to complete stage.
Learning outcomes have been developed. Work now continue to translate this into specific requirements for students to follow.

11. Assessment
The Assessments working group have completed outlining what assessments will be used for Stages 1 and 2. Work will continue on assessment requirements for Stage 3.
The group have considered all forms and types of
assessment and looking at what skills are missing
from the TSQF and introducing them into the new
framework.
Each assessment type has been aligned to
each Unit’s requirements.

12. Types of assessment – Stage 1

13. Unit 1 will be inclusive but not exhaustive of the following elements: product liability, consumer protection, negligence & tort (delict in Scotland) legal systems in both criminal & civil courts, ADR
Unit 2 will be inclusive but not exhaustive of the following elements: Compliance, safeguarding, primary authorities, legal entities, liabilities and statutory controls
Unit 3 will be inclusive but not exhaustive of the following elements: Unfair Trading, regulations, due diligence, case law, fair trading environment, investigations and enforcement
Unit report can be aligned with specialist areas for example: Consumer Rights Act in relation to Letting Agents fees and Resale of tickets, Animal Health & Welfare, Underage sales/Age restricted sales

14. Types of assessment – Stage 2

15. Unit 4 will be inclusive but not exhaustive of the following elements:
Legal metrology - legal systems, legal requirements & controls, regulatory delivery, weights & measures, powers & enforcement
Product Safety – RAPEX, ICSMS, powers& enforcement, product safety regulations, CE marking, RAMS
Feed – hygiene regulations, feed law code of practice, assurance schemes, animal feed sampling
Food – Import & export laws, food safety, food regulations HACCP, food law

16. Unit 5 – Criminal & civil legislation, intelligence gathering, regulations of investigatory powers, legal controls & powers, warranty procedures and processes, investigative principles
Unit 6 – Market surveillance, principles of auditing, control strategies, compliance, risk and hazards , control measures (HACCP)

17. Transition
The Transition working group are finalising the transition arrangements for students moving from prior frameworks.
Attention has been paid to ensuring that equivalency when moving across.
Focus of the group is to ensure that students are not disadvantaged on entering the new qualification but paying attention to equivalency as well.
There will be a three year period that students can use to transfer current/relevant subjects into the new framework, starting from 1 January Two years’ grace period for extenuating circumstances after this, but no further transfers after 2024.
CTSI do recommend, where possible, students should attempt to complete the qualification they are working towards within the TSQF.
Transition requirements will be published onto CTSI website shortly.

18. Training
Work has commenced with the working group focused on important element of training for the new framework.
The group are looking at options for delivery that reduce cost both for the authority and delivery.
Delivery will consist of class room, distance learning, tutorials, videos, assessments.

19. Apprenticeships and Employers
The Regulatory Compliance Officer apprenticeship scheme has now been agreed.
Students coming via this route into the new framework will gain an exemption from Unit 1.
With the apprenticeship now confirmed, the next meeting of the working group will occur shortly.

20. CTSI Operational Delivery
With the framework now reaching this stage of its development, CTSI have now commenced looking at the operational delivery.
Areas under consideration fall into the following categories:
Fees (both student fees and delivery fees)
Use of online systems for assessments delivery, training etc.
Student record system.
Processes of delivery (registration, assessments, regulations etc)
Confirmation of post holders (assessor, verifier, examiner etc)
This is an important aspect of the review and CTSI are committed to ensuring the smooth transferal and delivery of the framework and will publicise onto the website as decisions are made.

21. Action
CTSI are committed to creating a modern qualification that ensures we meet the needs of Trading Standards Practitioner now and in the future.
We will continue to dedicate resources and engage highly experienced individuals to ensure we construct a comprehensive qualification for you.
We will continue to welcome your feedback to be fed back to the QAB for them to review
At regular intervals communications of updates on the qualification review will be provided to you. We value and appreciate your support during the transition to the new qualification framework.

22. Questions