Autism Support Consultancy’s (ASC)
Appeals Policy and Procedure

Introduction 

This policy is aimed for ASC trainers and consultants delivering and learners who are registered on ASC e-learning or training workshops within or outside the UK. It sets out the steps to follow when submitting appeals about, assessment methods and ASC accredited course and the steps the organisation will follow when reviewing the cases, in order that appeals can be received, considered and resolved fairly. 

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Learners who wish to appeal the results about a decision affecting their accrued hours of accredited learning should either be supported by their Centre or should have exhausted their Centre’s own appeals process before appealing to ASC. In the latter case, learners must provide ASC with evidence that they have first appealed to their Centre. 

The term regulated accredited learning or regulators used within the Appeals Policy and procedure is verified against the CPD register (CPD accreditation group Ltd). 

The centre’s responsibility 

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It is important that Centre staff involved in the management, assessment and quality assurance of ASC regulated accredited courses and training, are fully informed of the contents of the policy. 

Centres must have internal appeal arrangements which learners can access if they wish to appeal against a decision taken by Centres, which will include a named contact at the Centre. These arrangements have to be transparent and accessible in order that appeals from learners can be received, considered and resolved fairly. 

If Centres or learners are dissatisfied with the outcome of the initial review of the appeal, they may proceed to the independent appeal stage and ASC will arrange for an independent review to be carried out. 

This will be carried out by someone who is not an employee, an assessor working, or otherwise connected to ASC. They will be someone with the relevant competence to make a decision in relation to the appeal and will not have a personal interest in the decision being appealed. 

The Independent Reviewer will review all the evidence which was submitted in the above stage from the Centre and review whether ASC has applied procedures fairly, appropriately and consistently in line with the policy. 

The independent review process may involve: 

• A discussion with the appellant or the learner and ASC personnel. 

• A request for further information from the appellant, the learner or ASC personnel.  A Centre visit by authorised ASC personnel. 

The Independent Reviewer’s decision is final in relation to how ASC will rule on appeals and the outcome of the review confirmed within 20 days of receipt of the review request. If the Centre/learner is still unhappy with the outcome at this stage they are entitled to raise the matter with the relevant qualification regulator. 

Situations brought to ASC’s attention by the regulators where the regulatory authorities notify ASC of failures that have been discovered in the assessment process of another awarding organisation, ASC will review whether or not a similar failure could affect assessment processes and arrangements. 

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Successful appeals 

In situations where an appeal has been successful, or where an investigation following notification from regulatory authorities indicates a failure of processes, ASC will give due consideration to the outcome and will, as appropriate, take actions such as: 

• Amend the profile record of the Centre concerned. 

• Identify any other learners who have been affected and correct or, where it cannot be corrected, mitigate as far as possible the effect of the failure (e.g. amend the results for the learner(s) affected following an appropriate investigation). 

• Undertake a review of internal processes and procedures, to ensure that the failure does not occur again or mitigate the situation as far as possible if the failure that occurred cannot be corrected. 

Contact details 

If you wish to discuss any aspect of this policy and/or have a related query please contact the support team by: 

Email: admin@autismsupportconsultancy.com

Version:
Policy author: Lydia Davey Latest Review Board approval: 15/5/2019 Review Date: 15/5/20