Continued Recognition Activity
As part of TQUK's commitment to maintaining high quality standards and meeting External Quality Assurance (EQA) requirements, all approved centres take part in the Continued Recognition Activity (CRA) process. This is a supportive review designed to confirm that centres continue to meet the requirements of recognition and deliver high-quality assessment practices.
CRA may take place remotely or face-to-face and provide an opportunity for centres and EQAs to work together to ensure ongoing compliance and continuous improvement.
Planning your CRA visit
Approximately three months before your annual recognition anniversary with TQUK, your allocated External Quality Assurer will contact you by email to advise that your CRA review is due.
Together, you will agree a suitable date and time for the activity.
Around three weeks before the review, the Quality Team will provide a detailed activity plan. This will include:
- information about the CRA process
- the areas that will be reviewed
- a checklist of documents and evidence required for the EQA review.
Providing the requested information in advance helps ensure the visit runs smoothly and efficiently.
What to expect during review
During the CRA activity, your External Quality Assurer will review key areas of your centre's operations, including:
- centre policies and procedures
- assessment practices
- Internal Quality Assurance (IQA) processes
- learner induction and initial assessment arrangements
- appeals and complaints procedures
- administrative and record-keeping processes.
The review is intended to be supportive and constructive, helping centres demonstrate compliance while identifying any opportunities for enhancement.
Centres holding Direct Claim Status
If your centre holds Direct Claim Status (DCS), a sample of certification claims will be reviewed as part of the annual EQA activity. This allows TQUK to confirm that quality standards continue to be maintained and that certification decisions remain accurate and consistent.
Where a centre has not held DCS for the full 12 months prior to the CRA, sampling will cover a proportion of certification claims made from the date DCS was awarded up to the date of the review. This ensures monitoring remains fair, proportionate, and risk based.
If learner sampling is required:
- A list of selected learners will be provided in advance.
- The centre should supply the requested documentation wherever possible within two weeks of the agreed review date.
- The EQA will review the evidence and discuss any findings during the visit.
CRA outcomes and follow-up actions
Following CRA, the EQA Team will prepare a report which is quality checked before being issued to the centre.
Possible outcomes include:
- confirmation that all requirements have been met, with no further action required
- additional or expanded sampling where further review is necessary
- agreed SMART actions to address any identified issues and support ongoing compliance.
Where assessment decisions are found to be inaccurate, centres may be asked to take corrective action. This could include reviewing assessment outcomes, amending results, or, in exceptional circumstances, certificate withdrawal in line with TQUK's policies and procedures.
Any actions identified will be monitored and supported by TQUK until they are satisfactorily completed.
Our approach
TQUK's EQA and CRA processes are designed to be proportionate, supportive, and robust. Our aim is to work in partnership with centres to maintain high standards, promote continuous improvement, and ensure learners continue to receive the best possible assessment experience.
By engaging positively with the CRA process and providing requested information in a timely manner, centres can help ensure a smooth review and continued confidence in the quality of their delivery and assessment practices.