Integrity and Malpractice

Our commitment

We act honestly and expect trainers, assessors, staff, associates and learners to do the same.

Malpractice and maladministration

Malpractice is deliberate wrongdoing. Maladministration is poor management or avoidable error that may affect quality, assessment, records or certificates.

Examples include:

• false attendance or assessment records;
• issuing a certificate without the required assessment;
• changing dates or results dishonestly;
• copying answers or impersonating another learner;
• hiding a serious quality concern;
• making a false declaration to IVOSA or a buyer;
• repeated failure to follow an important process.

Raising a concern

Anyone may report a concern to [contact details].

Reports are treated seriously. Anonymous information may be considered where there is enough detail to investigate.

Immediate action

We may pause certification, delivery or access to records where this is needed to protect learners, evidence or public confidence.

A temporary pause is not a final finding.

Investigation

We identify the concern, gather relevant information and give the person or organisation involved a fair chance to respond.

The investigator should be impartial and must declare any conflict of interest.

We keep the investigation proportionate to the seriousness of the concern.

Outcome

The outcome is recorded with the main reasons and any action required.

Action may include:

• correcting records;
• further training or supervision;
• reassessment;
• certificate correction or withdrawal;
• suspension from delivery;
• ending an associate arrangement;
• reporting the matter to IVOSA, a buyer or another body where justified;
• referral to the police or safeguarding authorities where necessary.

False or mistaken reports

A concern that is not upheld is not treated as wrongdoing by the person who raised it in good faith.

Knowingly false or malicious allegations may themselves be treated as misconduct.

Records and confidentiality

We keep enough information to show what was investigated, what was found and what action was taken.

Information is shared only where there is a proper reason.

Appeals

A person affected by a formal finding may appeal under our Complaints and Appeals Policy.

Review

We review this policy at least once a year and after any serious integrity case.