BISMA Conflict of Interest Policy
Introduction
British International Sports Medicine Academy (BISMA) is committed to maintaining the integrity, fairness, and objectivity of all teaching, assessment, internal quality assurance, and certification processes.
This policy sets out how BISMA identifies, declares, manages, and monitors conflicts of interest to ensure that decisions are made fairly and that qualifications remain credible and valid.
Purpose and Aims
This policy aims to:
• Protect the integrity of assessment and quality assurance decisions
• Ensure transparency in all BISMA activities
• Prevent actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest from influencing outcomes
• Ensure compliance with awarding body and regulatory requirements
• Provide clear guidance to staff, associates, and contractors
Scope of This Policy
This policy applies to all individuals involved in BISMA activities, including:
• Tutors and assessors
• Internal Quality Assurers (IQAs)
• Administrative and support staff
• Contractors, associates, and external specialists
• Management and decision-makers
It applies to all BISMA qualifications and awarding bodies.
Definition of a Conflict of Interest
A conflict of interest occurs where an individual’s personal, professional, or financial interests could compromise, or be perceived to compromise, their professional judgement or objectivity.
Conflicts may be:
• Actual – currently influencing decision-making
• Potential – reasonably foreseeable in the future
• Perceived – could reasonably be viewed by others as a conflict
Responsibilities
• All BISMA staff, associates, and contractors must declare any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest promptly
• BISMA management is responsible for reviewing declared conflicts and implementing appropriate safeguards
• BISMA maintains a Conflict of Interest Register
• Individuals have an ongoing duty to declare new conflicts as they arise
Failure to declare a conflict of interest may be treated as a breach of BISMA policies and procedures.
Managing Conflicts of Interest
BISMA will manage conflicts of interest by taking reasonable and proportionate steps, including:
• Avoiding the involvement of conflicted individuals in assessment or quality assurance decisions wherever possible
• Implementing mitigation measures where avoidance is not practicable (e.g. second marking or independent review)
• Documenting all identified conflicts and actions taken
Where required, conflicts of interest will be declared to the relevant awarding body or regulator.
Examples of Conflicts of Interest
Examples may include, but are not limited to:
• An assessor assessing a family member, close friend, or business associate
• An Internal Quality Assurer quality assuring work where they have a personal or professional relationship with the learner
• An assessor or IQA receiving financial incentives linked to learner outcomes or certification rates
• Any individual delivering, assessing, or quality assuring learning where an undisclosed personal, financial, or commercial interest exists
Records and Confidentiality
• All declared conflicts of interest and management actions will be recorded securely
• Records will be made available for inspection during external quality assurance activity
• Information will be handled in accordance with data protection and confidentiality requirements
Monitoring and Review
• Conflicts of interest will be monitored to identify trends or systemic risks
• This policy is reviewed annually or earlier if required by regulatory, awarding body, or organisational changes
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
