Roles Of Practitioners In Quality Assurance Process

The Trainer

The role of trainer is to facilitate and develop competency in skills set for the candidate to perform effectively in the work place. The trainer should explain the aims and objectives of the training so that the candidate knows what is expected from them within the training session.

Expert Witness

This role is someone who is occupationally competent to provided witness statements for the candidate. The expert witness can also be a work based mentor for the candidate, although they will not assess any evidence they can guide the candidate throughout their course. An understanding of the QCF system would be advantageous – but not necessary.

Other Witnesses

This role does not require the individual to have any knowledge of the standards however they must know of the candidates working practices to be able to provide a witness statement.

Assessor Role

Within this role, the assessor will use a wide range of activities and use a number of different types of evidence to make a judgement. S/he will be usually based in a college or training provider. S/he will often request candidates to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding and will give constructive feedback. These assessors tend to assess the paper-based or electronic evidence, this includes essays, questions, reflective accounts, case studies and witness statements.

Any Independent Assessor

This role could be a work based assessor or an end point assessor. Both roles require the individual to be occupationally competent. They use observation and questioning to check competence. S/he will also give written and or oral feedback to candidates to it help them to progress within their chosen sector.

Internal Quality Assurance Staff

Within this role, they monitor the work of assessors through assessments, check data and reports. Using the sampling plans of the internal quality assurance, they safeguard that all candidates are on track and assessors are working as efficiently as possible. S/he will also conduct standardisation meetings; these maintain that all assessors arrive at the same judgement when assessing candidates work. The internal quality assurance will also be responsible for planning and implementing action plans. This role is extremely important to the whole QCF system. The role also aims to promote a good learner journey for the candidate. Given the importance, this role is generally a managerial role appose to a supervisory role.

External Quality Assurance Staff

This is a senior practitioner, who has a wealth of experience and can help support and advise organisations, but not based at the organisation. They are expected to know about the national occupational standards, pass on system changes and alterations in practice. They have the power to approve centres and oversee the quality of assessment procedures. The external quality assurance is the link between the organisation and the awarding body. Once s/he is contented about the standard of work that is being submitted through the direct claims status, then s/he will conduct a remote sampling. This process is less intrusive.