Appeals and Disputes Procedure

As a learner you have the right of appeal against any assessment decision. If you wish to appeal, please follow the procedure set out below.

Please complete the "Appeals Application Form" and return to us.



Should you have not received a response within 14 working days, please appeal directly to your team leader/supervisor/manager.

STAGE ONE

Where a candidate disagrees with the assessment given he/she must explain the reason for this to the assessor concerned as soon as possible. In most circumstances this will be immediately after receiving the assessment decision.

The assessor should consider the candidate’s explanation and provide a response through:

A clear explanation or a repeat explanation of the assessment decision following a
re-evaluation of the evidence
Completion of section 1 of the Candidate’s appeal form
Amendment of the candidate’s assessment record, if appropriate.

This should take place within 5 working days

If the candidate agrees with the outcome at this stage then the appeal will not proceed further.

If the candidate is not happy with the outcome then the Appeal will proceed to Stage two.

STAGE TWO

1. The assessor forwards, to the Internal Moderator (IM) for the relevant Unit within 5 working days of Stage one.

The original assessment record and candidate evidence, where appropriate
The candidate Appeal Form with section 1 completed

2. The IM re-considers the assessment decision, normally involving an evaluation of:

The candidate’s evidence and associated records
The assessor’s rationale for the decision
The opinion of another assessor
The opinion of the candidate

3. The IM should complete Section 2 of the Candidate Appeal Form and provide the candidate with the re-considered decision with 14 working days of receiving the Appeal.

4. Where the candidate remains unhappy with the reconsidered assessment decision, the Appeal must proceed to the Investigatory Panel (Stage three)

STAGE THREE

1. If no resolution has been reached, the Stage Two internal moderator forwards the details to the General manager. These should include:

Candidate Appeal Form
Assessment records
Any written comments from the IM (e.g. background details)

2. The General Manager will then, within 10 working days, convene a panel comprising:

The General Manager, The Stage Two IM, Another IV from the same programme area

3. The panel will then evaluate the situation and complete Section three of the Candidate Appeal Form and the candidate will be informed of its decision within 5 working days.

4. If the candidate is still not satisfied with the outcome he/she has the right to take the Appeal to the Appeals Panel (Stage four).

STAGE FOUR:

1. The General Manager will then forward relevant details to The Manager of Education, Training and Quality Assurance (ETQA) at Services Seta and these should include the:

Candidate Appeal Form, appropriately completed (including the reason for the decision of the Investigator Panel)
Assessment record sheets
Written comments from the IV (as supplied to Stage Three Panel)

2. The ETQA Manager will convene, within 10 working days of notification, a panel comprising of:

The ETQA Manager, the Stage two IM, the original assessor

The candidate should be invited to attend with a friend or colleague of the candidate if they wish. The panel will reconsider the assessment evidence, led by the ETQA Manager.

3. The panel must reach a decision and inform the candidate of the result within 5 working days, in writing.

4. The decision of the panel is final.

5. Records of all Appeals should be logged and made available as appropriate to : The External Verifier.