Regulatory Framework for Vocational Qualifications

Regulatory framework Julie Swan Associate Director, Regulatory Policy and Vocational Qualification Policy

Aim To develop your: understanding of the regulatory framework confidence when using our regulatory documents ability to explain the regulatory requirements to your colleagues

Apprenticeship, Skills, Children and Learning Act (2009) The Act gives Ofqual: Statutory objectives Duties Powers

The Act Requires us to set conditions Requires awarding organisations to comply with those conditions Requires awarding organisations to have regard to our guidance Enables us to take regulatory action against an awarding organisation that is in breach of a condition or in some cases is likely to breach a condition

The Act defines regulated qualification To be regulated a qualification must: be awarded by an organisation that has been recognised by us to award the qualification have some learners who are assessed for the qualification mainly or part in England or Northern Ireland for vocational qualifications A qualification: remains regulated when it is taken elsewhere (subject to provisions in Wales) cannot be a regulated qualification if there are no learners taking their assessments for it, either mainly or in part, in England or Northern Ireland

General Conditions of Recognition First published in 2011 and updated since Apply to all awarding organisations and all regulated qualifications Awarding organisations must comply with the Conditions In two parts: Part 1 the awarding organisation Part 2 the regulated qualification

The General Conditions Mainly focus on the outcomes an awarding organisation must secure Do not prescribe how an awarding organisation must work

Qualification and subject level conditions For some qualifications awarding organisations must also comply with qualification level conditions and, for some, subject level conditions

Guidance Awarding organisations must have regard to our guidance Most of our guidance illustrates behaviours or outcomes that would indicate an awarding organisation is or is not complying with a condition

Requirements and criteria Requirements with which awarding organisations must also comply: Qualification and component levels Certificate requirements Using the Ofqual logo Criteria: Recognition criteria Accreditation criteria Total Qualification Time criteria

Developing conditions We may introduce new conditions to address specific issues We assess the impact of doing so We consult New conditions can be subject to a sunrise provision

Developing guidance We consulted awarding organisations on the style of guidance they would prefer We have sought views on the conditions for which awarding organisations believe there is the most need for guidance We have held workshops on draft guidance Consultation published 7 December - please see our guidance stand outside

Taking regulatory action Sets out our enforcement powers and the factors we take into account when deciding whether to use them

Some points to note in the General Conditions of Recognition Interpretation and definitions section J Defined terms start with an upper case letter, eg Adverse Effect Condition B2 - The annual statement to Ofqual Condition B3 Notification to Ofqual of certain events

Questions Questions from the audience