Equal Opportunities

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES & APPEALS PROCEDURES

Set out below is Abbeycord Training's policy with regard to providing equal opportunities for all candidates seeking to gain awards through the centre. All candidates will be made aware of this policy prior commencement of any assessment.

POLICY STATEMENT

Abbeycord Training is committed to provide equality of opportunity for all candidates seeking to gain awards through the centre. The policy aims to ensure that no candidate receives less favourable treatment than any other on the grounds of race, sex, age, disability, colour, ethnic or national origin, gender, marital status, trade union activity, religion, sexuality, political belief, or any other grounds not recognised as genuine occupational qualifications. A further aim is that any conditions or procedures, which cannot be justified as relevant to the assessment being undertaken, do not disadvantage candidates.

IMPLEMENTATION

In order to achieve the successful implementation of this policy Abbeycord Training will ensure that all members of staff are made aware of and issued with policy.

MONITORING AND REVIEW

To ensure the policy is effective and current the issue of equal opportunities will be addressed as an integral part of scheme development, scheme review and assessment guidance.

APPEALS BY CANDIDATES

Abbeycord Training is committed to provide fair assessments. You can appeal if you think your assessment was unfair. The centres appeals procedure is detailed below in stages and aims to achieve the following goals:-

A formal system of recording appeals
Prompt responses within clearly stated times
Stages that give all parties the opportunity to put their case
Clear outcomes at each stage
Constructive feedback to you, the candidate

Abbeycord Training's APPEALS PROCEDURE

Stage 1 Assessor and Candidate

If you disagree with the assessment, you must first discuss your reasons with the assessor concerned as soon as possible. Normally this will be immediately after you receive the assessment decision. If this is not convenient, you should arrange an appointment with the assessor.
The assessor must consider your reasons and look again at what you did for your assessment. He or she must then give you an immediate response, which must be:
1 A clear explanation, backed up in writing, of the assessment decision; and
2 A new decision or confirmation of the original decision.
If you agree with assessor's response, then the appeal stops at this point.
You must tell the assessor if you are still unhappy with the decision. Your appeal will go to Stage 2.

Stage 2 Internal Verifier

If you are still dissatisfied after Stage 1, the assessor must give the internal verifier the following information within 24 hours of the appeal reaching Stage 2.
1 The original assessment record and candidate's evidence, where appropriate
2 The written explanation and confirmation of the assessment decision
The internal verifier will reconsider the assessment decision, taking account of the following:
1 The candidates reason for appeal
2 The candidate's evidence and associated records
3 The assessor's reason for the decision
4 The opinion of another assessor from the centre (should one be available)
The internal verifier must then give you the reconsidered decision, in writing, within five working days of receiving the appeal
You must tell the internal verifier if you are still unhappy with reconsidered assessment decision.

Stage 3 Appeals Panel

If you are still dissatisfied with the decision after Stage 2, you have the right to go to an appeals panel. The internal verifier who acted at Stage 2 must send the following details to the assessment centre co-ordinator:
1 The written explanation and confirmation of the assessment decision
2 Assessment record sheet(s)
3 Any written comments of the internal verifier (perhaps providing background details)
Within ten working days of receiving the appeal, the assessment centre co-ordinator calls an appeals panel. The panel will consist of three representatives. Centre Manager, Internal Verifier and Assessor (independent)
The candidate may speak to the appeals panel or be represented by an adviser (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 appeal panel will then discuss the matter in private and reach a majority decision. The decision will be sent to you within five working days. At the same time, the decision will be sent to the assessor and the assessment centre.

The decision of the appeals panel is final.