Internal Quality Assurance Policy
Table of Contents
- Purpose
- Policy Scope
- Statement of Principles
- Quality Assurance Strategy
- Internal Quality Assurance Activities
- Implementing Quality Assurance Strategies
- Evidence Collection and Record-Keeping
- Roles and Responsibilities
- Monitoring and Review
Purpose
This policy integrates quality assurance strategies at Care College, ensuring compliance with national standards and the consistency, reliability, and fairness of assessment practices. It establishes guidelines for monitoring and improving training and assessment strategies, ensuring learner achievements meet grading criteria and uphold the integrity of the learning process.
Policy Scope
This policy applies to all learners, staff, and external parties involved in delivering and managing training and qualifications at Care College. It covers the entire learner journey and includes all internal and external quality assurance activities, particularly where services are provided by a third party on behalf of Care College.
Statement of Principles
Care College is committed to upholding quality standards by:
- Ensuring consistent and fair assessment decisions across assessors.
- Supporting assessors and tutors with professional development and clear communication.
- Promoting inclusion, equality, and valuing diversity in all assessment activities.
- Safeguarding learners’ health and safety, confidentiality, and data security.
- Continually monitoring, evaluating, and adjusting assessment practices to meet industry requirements and regulatory standards.
Quality Assurance Strategy
Monitoring and Evaluation
Care College systematically monitors its training and assessment strategies to ensure ongoing compliance and improvement. Key sources of data include:
- Quality indicator data
- Validation and sampling outcomes
- Client, learner, trainer, and assessor feedback
- Complaints and appeals data
Continuous Improvement
Using data gathered from evaluations, Care College will review its strategies, identify areas for improvement, and implement necessary changes. This includes ensuring that issues identified through learner feedback, industry engagement, and validation activities are addressed to enhance quality.
Responsibility for Quality
Care College assumes full responsibility for the quality and compliance of all training and assessment services under its registration, regardless of the provider. Evidence of systematic monitoring and review is maintained, with clear documentation of decisions and actions taken to improve training and assessment practices.
Internal Quality Assurance Activities
Sampling and Standardisation
Sampling: Sampling of learner assessments is conducted at formative and summative stages to ensure assessments meet quality standards. Sampling plans identify learners, assessors, and assessment criteria, ensuring a representative review of work.
Standardisation: Regular standardisation activities, held at least every twelve weeks, involve IQAs, assessors, and trainers. These meetings ensure consistent grading and assessment decisions across the college.
Observation and Support
Observations: Each training and assessment staff member is observed at least twice annually. Observations are documented and moderated, with action plans developed for staff needing improvement.
Professional Development: Continuous professional development (CPD) opportunities and reflective practices are encouraged for all staff, supporting growth and skill enhancement.
Feedback and Documentation
Learner Feedback: Learner feedback is collected through surveys, focus groups, and feedback forms. This information is analysed to identify trends and improve learning and assessment practices.
Data Security and Confidentiality: All IQA documents are securely stored in line with the Data Protection (Jersey) Law 2018. Access is granted to relevant awarding bodies for assessment documentation when required.
Implementing Quality Assurance Strategies
Engagement with Industry and Stakeholders
Ongoing engagement with industry and stakeholders informs training and assessment strategies, ensuring relevance and alignment with market needs. This collaboration ensures that Care College’s training outcomes are recognised by employers and meet industry standards.
Third-Party Quality Assurance
For services delivered by third parties, Care College monitors and evaluates these providers to ensure compliance with college standards. Regular reviews, feedback collection, and sampling are applied to third-party services to maintain accountability and uphold quality.
Evidence Collection and Record-Keeping
Care College maintains detailed records of:
- Quality assurance activities, including sampling plans, observation reports, and standardisation meeting minutes.
- Outcomes of feedback, complaints, and appeals.
- Decisions and changes implemented in response to reviews and evaluations.
Roles and Responsibilities
Internal Quality Assurers (IQAs)
IQAs are responsible for conducting sampling, facilitating standardisation, and ensuring that assessors’ grading is consistent and fair. They also support assessors in maintaining quality standards and provide feedback on improvements.
Assessors and Tutors
Assessors and tutors are responsible for delivering fair, reliable assessments that meet the grading criteria. They participate in standardisation meetings, undergo regular observations, and contribute to ongoing quality improvements.
College Management
Management ensures adequate resources for training, adherence to compliance standards, and regular audits of internal systems. They are also responsible for maintaining communication with stakeholders and implementing feedback to enhance quality.
Monitoring and Review
This policy will be reviewed annually to ensure its effectiveness and alignment with current educational standards and regulatory requirements. Feedback from learners, staff, and industry partners will inform each review, ensuring continual alignment with stakeholder needs and best practices in quality assurance.
