Sanctions
TQUK has a Sanctions Policy for recognised centres that deliver TQUK qualifications or units. The policy explains what may happen if a centre does not meet TQUK’s delivery requirements or the standards set by regulatory authorities, and outlines the types of sanctions that may be applied in these circumstances. It also helps TQUK staff apply sanctions fairly and consistently.
Responsibilities
Recognised centres are responsible for ensuring that all staff involved in delivering TQUK qualifications understand this policy and how it may affect their work. Centres should be aware that not meeting TQUK’s requirements could result in sanctions.
TQUK has a responsibility to learners and to the UK qualifications regulators to make sure qualifications and units are delivered correctly and continue to meet the conditions of recognition. This helps protect the value and integrity of TQUK qualifications for everyone involved.
Causes and outcomes
A range of sanctions is available and may be applied depending on factors such as the seriousness of the issue, the centre’s quality history, the level of risk to learners, and any impact on the integrity of qualifications.
Sanctions may apply to a single qualification, a group of qualifications, or all qualifications delivered by the centre.
Sanctions may be recommended following External Quality Assurance (EQA) activity or investigations into complaints or malpractice. The TQUK EQA Team will review any recommendations to ensure they are appropriate and applied consistently.
TQUK aims to work closely with centres and provide support wherever possible to help prevent issues from escalating to the point where sanctions are needed. However, in some situations, sanctions may be necessary. These may include:
- unresolved actions
- poor assessment records
- insufficient numbers of qualified staff
- persistent poor marking
- malpractice or maladministration
- incorrect certification claims
- refusal of access to premises or records
- operating unapproved subcontracting arrangements.
In some cases, TQUK may decide to remove centre recognition as a business decision in line with the Centre Agreement. This would be separate from the sanctions process.
Possible sanctions include:
- the removal of Direct Claims Status
- restrictions on learner registration or certification
- removal of approval for specific qualifications
- removal of centre recognition altogether.
Centres will always be informed in writing if a sanction is applied, along with the reasons for the decision. If approval for a qualification is removed, TQUK will take reasonable steps to support learners, such as certifying completed achievements or helping with transfers to another centre where possible.
If a centre believes that TQUK has not followed its procedures fairly, it can raise this through TQUK’s Appeals Process.