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Appeals Policy

APPEALS POLICY

Scope of the Policy
This policy is provided for ADL – Academy for Distance Learning students, tutors and staff members who are using or delivering the courses and qualifications that ADL offer.

Location of the policy
This policy is available for all staff members, third parties and learners to access.

Communication of the policy
It is important that staff involved in the management, delivery, assessment and quality assurance of ADL qualifications and learners undertaking these qualifications, are fully aware of the contents of the policy.

Review of the policy
ADL will review the policy annually and revise it as and when required in response to student and stakeholder feedback and, changes in practices, actions required by TQUK or changes in legislation. Our review will ensure that our procedures continue to be consistent with the regulatory criteria and are applied properly and fairly in arriving at judgements.

Policy Statement
All learners have the right to challenge the outcomes of their assessment decisions, if they consider the assessment has not been carried out properly. Learners might appeal on a variety of issues.
These issues may include the following:-

Conduct of the assessment
Adequacy of the range, nature and comprehensiveness of the evidence when set against the national standards and evidence requirements
The opportunities offered in order to demonstrate competence of attainment
Access to assessment
Process of assessment
Access to Internal Verification
The handling of an appeal
Administrative issues e.g. failure to register/apply for certification

Statement of Principle
This policy is in place to enable ADL learners to enquire, question or appeal against an assessment decision. ADL will aim to reach an agreement with a learner at the earliest opportunity, regarding any appeals that are made.

ADL will ensure that:
Internal assessments are conducted by members of ADL staff who have appropriate knowledge, understanding and skills in this area.
Assessment evidence provided by learners is produced and authenticated according to the requirements of TQUK for the subject concerned.
The consistency of internal assessment will be maintained by internal verification and standardisation.

If a learner wishes to appeal, the appeal must be lodged in writing with the relevant ADL staff member within 7 working days of the learner being notified of the assessment decision. The relevant centre staff member will then attempt to find a solution with the learner, assessor/tutor and internal verifier.

Any ADL staff member undertaking an appeal investigation must be independent from any assessment decisions made as part of a learner’s qualification.

The relevant ADL staff member will acknowledge the appeal within 2 working days of receiving it. ADL staff member will investigate the appeal. Investigations may include undertaking interviews with any relevant parties.

The learner will be informed of the investigation outcome and decision within 10 days of the appeal being lodged (this may be extended, depending on the nature of the appeal). If the staff member feels the appeal is to be upheld, the learner will be notified of this in writing, within 2 working days of completion of the investigation.

The relevant procedures will be followed to ensure the learner’s assessment decision is changed to show the correct mark and/or decision.

If an appeal from a learner is upheld by the centre staff member, any lessons learners from the investigation will be reviewed by ADL . Any staff member involved in the appeal will be offered suitable training, if appropriate. The outcome and action plan from all appeal will be dealt with on an individual basis.

If an appeal is not upheld, the learner making the appeal will be given a written explanation detailing the reasons for the appeal not to be upheld.

If the learner is not satisfied with the appeal decision made at centre level, the learner can instruct the centre to contact TQUK in order to escalate the appeal. TQUK will investigate any appeals made in line with TQUK’s Appeals Policy.

All documents relating to an appeal must be saved and stored securely in the centre. TQUK must be given access to any information or documents regarding any appeals, when requested.