Appeals Procedure
Purpose
Candidates have the right to challenge the assessment decision made by an assessor.
Assessors can appeal against decisions and actions of an internal verifier (IV) and similarly, an IV can appeal against an external verifier.
Scope
The following procedure is applicable to all NVQ processes.
Appeals Procedure
If a candidate wishes to appeal against an assessment decision, the following steps should be observed:
- The candidate should first discuss the reason for appeal with their assessor. This should ideally be done as soon as possible after the assessment decision.
- The assessor must consider the reasons for the appeal and must give the candidate an immediate response, backed up in writing, of the assessment decision and a new decision, or confirmation of the original decision.
- If the candidate is not satisfied with the assessor’s final decision, the assessor should be informed immediately and an appeals form (available on request) should be completed by both the candidate and assessor.
- The assessor should inform the internal verifier (IV) that a formal written appeal has been lodged within 24 hours of the appeals form being completed, and provide the appeals form and any other relevant details to the IV.
- The IV will reconsider the assessment decision taking into account the candidate’s reason for appeal, the candidate’s evidence and associated records, the assessor’s reason for the assessment and the opinion of another assessor from the training centre.
- The IV must give the candidate the reconsidered decision, in writing, within five working days of receiving the appeal.
- If the candidate is not satisfied with the findings of the IV then the candidate has the right to go to an appeals panel and must inform the IV that they wish to do so.
- The IV must provide the appeals form, assessment record sheets and any other relevant details to the training centre coordinator.
- The training centre coordinator must, within 10 days of receiving the appeal, ask the Product Manager NVQ or Construction Verification Manager (from CITB) to call an appeals panel. The panel will consist of three representatives of the awarding body.
- The candidate can speak to the appeals panel or be represented by an advisor (or both), or make a written submission. The assessor who made the original decision may be asked to attend the appeals panel to answer any questions.
- The appeals panel will discuss the evidence and a decision must be sent to the candidate within five working days.
- The decision of the appeals panel is final.
Note
Comprehensive records should be made of any appeal and subsequent actions and findings in line with QCA NVQ Code of Practice, Section E, Page 20, and Appendix 1 (paragraphs 62-69) of the NVQ Code of Practice.
If you have any questions, or would like to discuss any aspects of NVQ qualification in more detail, then please do not hesitate to contact us at enquiries@constructionlearningworld.com
