(This isn’t us making up a silly title but taken from Cache guidance!)

On social media, we are seeing so many people asking for guidance and support for an assignment. It never ceases to surprise us how little support some students get from their assessors.

If this resonates with you then read on!!

This week I interviewed a new learner who is transferring from another training company. She has had no contact from her assessor apart from feedback on her assignment via email or the E-learning platform. She has never seen her assessor or even had a telephone conversation with her. She was set an assignment and had to get on with it! This isn’t learning! Imagine giving children a topic at school, no resources, no support or no help, Ofsted would soon have something to say! It is the same with adult learners on all levels of courses, we all need support and help.

The role of the assessor is to support the learner and to make informed judgements about the range of evidence the learner has produced, which should demonstrate their competence to meet the assessment criteria as detailed in the qualification specification.

Assessors should be suitably qualified and committed to developing their CPD.

The assessor should decide on the assessment methods to be used throughout the delivery of the qualification and document this.  These should help the learners demonstrate their skills, knowledge and understanding to help them provide the necessary evidence.  A broad range of assessment methods can also make the qualification more engaging and enjoyable for the learners.

A planned programme outline should also be devised to show how they intend to deliver the qualification and as a benchmark to track progress.

The assessor may be responsible for inducting the learners onto the programme.  If so this should include discussing relevant policies and procedures, carrying out an initial assessment, discussing reasonable adjustments and special considerations and any additional requirements, discussing whether recognition of prior learning (RPL) is appropriate and ensuring that they have signed a statement declaring that their work is their own.

The assessor should explain to the learner before the programme commences the content and requirements of the programme so that the learner is fully aware of their responsibilities.  Together they should agree to timescales for completion.  They can use a learner action plan and unit feedback document to record the units the learners will complete and how they will be assessed

It is essential that the assessor reviews the learner’s progress and provides them with regular feedback, which must be documented.  The assessor should set an action plan for the learner to work through and should give specific deadlines to help the learner complete the course by the deadline.

When looking for a good training provider, please ask the following questions;

• Is the qualification full and relevant and not a CPD course? All full and relevant qualifications will require that you are either working or volunteering in a relevant setting.
• How is the course delivered?
• What resources do you have to support learning? You should be given access to resources such as PowerPoints, and websites to look at.
• How are the lessons delivered face to face, classroom-based, and online workshops? If it is none of these walk away!
• How often will your assessor deliver the lessons?
• How long will the assessor take to mark work and provide feedback?
• How often will the assessor come out and observe you in your setting?
• On completion how long until I receive my certificate?

Do not sign up with any company that does not offer you support, or proper lessons and doesn’t come out to observe you in your setting. If they say that they don’t have to observe you they are WRONG! It should NOT be carried out by someone in your workplace.

Cache or other awarding bodies give centres strict guidelines on assessing and delivering qualifications, centres are all externally moderated at least once a year but usually twice. During the visit, centres will have all their policies and procedures, resources and learners’ work sampled and looked at. If you are not happy with the way your course is being treated, lack of support or being charged lots of hidden extras, in the first instance contact the centre, if you are still not happy contact the awarding body and issue a formal complaint. Centres that offer funded courses are also inspected by OFSTED, which also gives you another option if you are not happy with the support you are given.

At Premier we really support our learners from the initial enquiry to the completion of the award. Please have a look at the many courses we offer. We are happy to have a chat should you have any questions. Check out our testimonials too from our qualified students!

Lisa Tray       

www.premierearlyyearstraining.co.uk 

For more information on our courses, advice or guidance please contact us at admin@premierearlyyearstraining.co.uk