BISMA Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) Policy
1. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to ensure that BISMA maintains consistent, fair, valid, reliable, and compliant assessment and quality assurance practices across all qualifications delivered by the centre.
This policy outlines the processes used to monitor and support assessors, maintain assessment standards, identify areas for improvement, and ensure compliance with the requirements of awarding organisations, regulators, and relevant legislation.
2. Scope
This policy applies to:
- All BISMA qualifications and programmes.
- All assessors, tutors, Internal Quality Assurers (IQAs), and centre staff involved in the assessment process.
- All assessment methods, including:
- Portfolio assessment
- Written assignments
- Practical observations
- Professional discussions
- Video assessments
- Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), where applicable
3. Policy Statement
BISMA is committed to:
- Maintaining high standards of assessment.
- Ensuring assessment decisions are fair, valid, reliable, authentic, and sufficient.
- Supporting assessors through standardisation and continuous professional development.
- Identifying and addressing assessment risks.
- Maintaining compliance with awarding organisation requirements.
- Ensuring learners are assessed consistently regardless of assessor, location, or assessment method.
- Promoting continuous improvement throughout the centre.
4. Definitions
Assessor
An individual responsible for assessing learner work and making assessment decisions.
Internal Quality Assurer (IQA)
An individual responsible for monitoring assessment practices and ensuring consistency and quality of assessment decisions.
Standardisation
The process of ensuring all assessors apply assessment criteria consistently.
Sampling
The review of assessment decisions made by assessors to ensure accuracy and consistency.
5. Roles and Responsibilities
Centre Management
Centre Management shall:
- Ensure adequate resources are available for quality assurance activities.
- Support the implementation of this policy.
- Monitor compliance with awarding organisation requirements.
Internal Quality Assurer (IQA)
The IQA shall:
- Plan and implement IQA activities.
- Conduct sampling of assessment decisions.
- Observe assessors where appropriate.
- Provide feedback and support to assessors.
- Maintain accurate IQA records.
- Identify and manage assessment risks.
- Lead standardisation activities.
- Recommend corrective actions where required.
Assessors
Assessors shall:
- Assess learner work in accordance with qualification requirements.
- Maintain accurate assessment records.
- Participate in standardisation activities.
- Implement actions identified by the IQA.
- Maintain occupational competence and CPD.
6. Internal Quality Assurance Strategy
BISMA adopts a risk-based approach to internal quality assurance.
Factors considered when determining sampling requirements include:
- Newly appointed assessors.
- Newly approved qualifications.
- High learner numbers.
- High referral rates.
- Significant changes to qualification requirements.
- Previous assessment concerns.
- New assessment methods.
- Remote or video assessments.
Higher-risk areas shall receive increased sampling.
7. Sampling Strategy
The IQA shall sample assessment decisions throughout the learner journey.
Sampling may include:
- Assessment plans.
- Assessment decisions.
- Learner portfolios.
- Feedback provided to learners.
- Practical assessments.
- Video assessments.
- Recognition of Prior Learning evidence.
Sampling shall be:
- Planned.
- Recorded.
- Representative.
- Sufficient to ensure confidence in assessment decisions.
Sampling shall include:
- Different assessors.
- Different qualification units.
- Different learners.
- Pass and referral decisions.
- Different assessment methods.
8. Standardisation Meetings
BISMA shall conduct regular standardisation activities to ensure consistency.
Standardisation activities may include:
- Reviewing assessment decisions.
- Reviewing learner evidence.
- Discussing qualification updates.
- Reviewing awarding organisation guidance.
- Sharing good practice.
- Identifying training needs.
Records of standardisation activities shall be maintained.
9. Assessor Support and Development
BISMA is committed to supporting assessor development.
Support activities may include:
- Assessor inductions.
- Mentoring.
- Standardisation meetings.
- CPD activities.
- Awarding organisation updates.
- Observation and feedback.
Assessors are expected to maintain appropriate occupational competence and professional development relevant to their subject area.
10. Observation of Assessors
Where appropriate, assessors may be observed carrying out assessment activities.
Observations may be conducted:
- Face-to-face.
- Remotely.
- Through review of recorded assessment sessions.
The purpose is to:
- Ensure consistency.
- Promote best practice.
- Identify development opportunities.
11. Managing Assessment Risks
Potential risks include:
- Inconsistent assessment decisions.
- Insufficient evidence.
- Unqualified assessors.
- Delays in assessment.
- Conflicts of interest.
- Malpractice or maladministration.
- Changes in qualification requirements.
The IQA shall monitor risks and implement corrective actions where necessary.
12. Conflicts of Interest
All staff involved in assessment and quality assurance must declare any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest.
Where a conflict exists, BISMA shall implement appropriate controls to protect the integrity of assessment decisions.
Examples include:
- Assessing family members.
- Assessing close friends.
- IQA sampling their own assessment decisions.
- Financial or personal interests affecting judgement.
13. Learner Feedback
Learner feedback may be used to support quality improvement.
Feedback may be collected through:
- Surveys.
- Reviews.
- Complaints.
- Appeals.
- Informal feedback.
Findings may be used to improve assessment and quality assurance processes.
14. Continuous Improvement
BISMA is committed to continuous improvement.
Quality assurance activities shall be reviewed regularly to identify:
- Good practice.
- Areas requiring improvement.
- Training requirements.
- Operational efficiencies.
Action plans shall be implemented where appropriate.
15. Record Keeping
The following records shall be maintained securely:
- IQA sampling plans.
- IQA reports.
- Standardisation records.
- Assessor observation records.
- CPD records.
- Conflict of interest declarations.
- Corrective action records.
- Quality improvement records.
Records shall be retained in accordance with awarding organisation and regulatory requirements.
16. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
BISMA is committed to ensuring that all assessment and quality assurance activities are conducted fairly and without discrimination.
All learners shall be treated equally regardless of:
- Age
- Disability
- Gender
- Gender reassignment
- Marriage or civil partnership
- Pregnancy or maternity
- Race
- Religion or belief
- Sex
- Sexual orientation
Reasonable adjustments shall be implemented where appropriate and permitted by qualification requirements.
17. Review of Policy
This policy shall be reviewed:
- Annually;
- Following awarding organisation updates;
- Following regulatory changes; or
- Following identification of significant quality assurance issues.
18. Related Policies
- Malpractice and Maladministration Policy
- Conflicts of Interest Policy
- Safeguarding Policy
- Equality and Diversity Policy
- Plagiarism Policy
- Complaints Policy
- Whistleblowing Policy
- Sanctions Policy
- Learner Appeals Policy
- Staff Induction and CPD Policy
- Learner Registration and Certification Policy
- Learner Induction Policy
- Internal Quality Assurance Policy
- Data Protection Policy
- Code of Conduct
- Health and Safety Policy
