Malpractice Policy
Malpractice Policy
1. Introduction
This policy is aimed at teachers and candidates who are involved in the assessment of all UKAdance Regulated Grades qualifications.
The purpose of this policy is to set out the procedures that candidates and teachers should follow if they wish to contact us about any potential instances of malpractice. The policy also gives details of the service provided by UKAdance.
This policy is available here or can be obtained by calling 01253 408828 or e-mailing info@ukadance.co.uk.
This policy will be subject to review and monitoring by UKAdance and if necessary will be amended and updated following feedback from candidates and teachers. All future versions of this policy will be flagged and will be posted on our website.
Please note that we treat all correspondence with individuals who make complaints or inform us of suspected malpractice in confidence and will not make details available to any other parties.
2. Issue and review
The date of issue of this policy is January 2024. This policy will be reviewed annually.
3. What is malpractice?
Malpractice is defined as any activity or practice which deliberately contravenes regulations and compromises the integrity of the assessment process and/or the validity of certificates. For the purpose of this policy this term also covers misconduct.
The categories listed below are examples of potential teacher and candidate malpractice. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list.
- Contravention of our teacher and programme approval conditions
- Failure to satisfactorily implement conditions of approval within stated timescales
- Failure to adhere to our candidate registration and certification procedures
- Failure to continually adhere to the graded examination criteria
- Fraudulent claim for certificates
- Intentional withholding of information from us which is critical to maintaining the rigour of quality assurance
- Deliberate misuse of our logo
- Disruptive behaviour by candidates
- Failure to adhere to the requirements of our Reasonable Adjustments and Special Considerations Policy.
4. What is maladministration?
Maladministration is defined as any activity or practice which results in non-compliance with regulations. Anybody identifying cases of maladministration should report them to the Head of Quality at UKAdance.
We are obliged to investigate all cases of maladministration in liaison with the parties concerned. If an investigation results in evidence of maladministration, we will need to impose the appropriate sanction and take the necessary steps to ensure that the candidates’ interests are protected as far as is reasonably possible. This may include making arrangements for re-assessment or certification, as appropriate.
5. How to notify us of suspected or actual cases of malpractice
Anybody who identifies or is made aware of suspected or actual cases of malpractice at any time must immediately report their findings to The Head of Quality by post, telephone or e-mail.
Head of Quality
UKAdance Ltd
Centenary House
38 - 40 Station Road
Blackpool
Lancashire
FY4 1EU
E-mail: info@ukadance.co.uk
Tel: 01253 408828
Please send the report and any accompanying evidence to the Head of Quality by post, email or fax. Reports must include:
- Teachers name
- Candidate’s name and UKA pin number
- Title of the qualification affected
- Date(s) suspected or actual malpractice occurred
- Full nature of the suspected or actual malpractice
- Contents and outcome of any investigation carried out by the teacher or anybody else involved in the case, including any mitigating circumstances
- Written statements from those involved in the case, e.g. witness statements
- Date of the report and the informant’s name, position and signature
6. Reviewing suspected or actual cases of malpractice
6.1 The review timescales at each stage of the process
Your report will be acknowledged by the Head of Quality within 5 days of receipt.
When we receive the report, we will pass it on to the Quality Committee who will review the report and decide whether to recommend further investigation. Should the Committee decide to conduct an investigation, we will appoint a team of personnel who are not involved with the teacher or candidates. We will endeavour to finish our investigations no longer than 30 working days from the receipt of the report. Please note that in some cases the investigation may take longer; for example, if a visit is required. In such instances, we’ll advise all parties concerned of the likely revised timescale.
We will advise all interested parties of the outcome of our investigation within 10 working days of making our decision.
6.2 The investigation process
We expect all parties, who are either directly or indirectly involved in the investigation, to fully co-operate with us. In instances where a teacher or their candidates do not co-operate, we may have no alternative but to permanently or temporarily remove the facility for the teacher or candidate to enter further examinations and may also inform the regulatory authorities*.
During the investigation the review process may involve:
- A request for further information from the teacher involved
- Interviews (face to face or by telephone) with people involved in the investigation
- Arranging for authorised personnel to carry out a visit
Where a decision is referred to the Quality Committee, the majority vote will apply.
In the case of teacher malpractice, we will offer support and guidance to help us investigate the matter and reach the appropriate conclusions.
In the case of candidate malpractice, we will investigate the issue in liaison with the teacher and our own personnel.
Where applicable, we will inform the appropriate regulatory authorities* of any investigation into suspected or actual cases of serious malpractice and will agree the appropriate course of remedial action with them. Please note that in exceptional cases, the regulatory authorities* may lead the investigation.
In cases where certificates for qualifications approved by the regulatory authorities* are deemed to be invalid, we will inform the teacher and the candidate and the regulatory authorities* of the reasons why they are invalid and provide details of action to be taken for reassessment and/or certification.
Either at notification of a suspected or actual case of malpractice or at any time during the investigation, we reserve the right to suspend any claims for candidate certification submitted by the teacher involved.
6.3 The outcome of the investigation
We will consider all factors put forward by the teacher or the candidate in determining the appropriate sanctions.
7. Sanctions
If the investigation confirms that malpractice has taken place, we will take appropriate and proportionate action based on our Sanctions Policy.
7.1 Centre malpractice
It is the teachers responsibility to inform their candidates affected of the implications of the sanctions.
7.2 Candidate malpractice
In cases of malpractice by candidates, it is the teacher’s responsibility to make candidates aware that their final results may be void if the case is proven and any certificates which have already been issued may be deemed to be invalid and will need to be returned to us.
7.3 Examiner malpractice
If an examiner is reported to be colluding with candidates the evidence will be passed to the Head of Exams and will be closely monitored. If collusion is corroborated, then the examiner will be dismissed from the examining panel and the candidates in question will be re-examined.
8. Reporting the outcome
After an investigation, we will produce a draft report for the teacher/candidate to check for factual accuracy. Any subsequent amendments will be agreed between the teacher/candidate and us.
We will make the final report available to the teacher/candidate and to the regulatory authorities* if a Regulated Grades session.
If an independent/third party notified us of the suspected or actual case of malpractice, we will inform them of the outcome.
9. Appeals against our decision to impose sanctions
If you wish to appeal against our decision to impose sanctions, please refer to our Appeals Policy available HERE. If related to Regulated Grades you may also contact RSL, the regulated awarding organisation working in partnership with UKAdance.
*The regulatory authorities are OFQUAL for England, Qualifications Wales for Wales, CCEA for Northern Ireland and SQA Accreditation for Scotland.