Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012

Obligation of providers to prepare quality assurance procedures.

28.— (1) Subject to sections 29 , 30 , 32 and 33 , each relevant provider and linked provider shall establish procedures in writing for quality assurance for the purposes of establishing, ascertaining, maintaining and improving the quality of education, training, research and related services the provider provides.

(2) Each relevant provider and linked provider shall have regard to the guidelines issued by the Authority under section 27 (1)(a) in establishing procedures under subsection (1).

(3) Procedures under subsection (1) shall be established as soon as practicable after the issue of guidelines by the Authority under section 27 (1)(a) and at such other time or times—

(a) subject to paragraphs (b) and (c), where a relevant provider or linked provider thinks appropriate,

(b) in the case of a relevant provider, where the Authority directs, or

(c) in the case of a linked provider, where the relevant designated awarding body directs.

(4) Procedures under subsection (1) shall include procedures for—

(a) evaluation, subject to subsection (5), from time to time as the provider thinks appropriate, by the provider and by enrolled or formerly enrolled learners of the education, training, research and related services provided by that provider,

(b) review by the provider of the application of the quality assurance procedures,

(c) preparation of a report by the provider setting out—

(i) the results of a review carried out under paragraph (b),

(ii) what measures (if any) the provider considers necessary arising out of that review to establish, ascertain, maintain and improve the quality of education, training, research and related services provided by the provider,

(d) furnishing the report to the Authority, and, in the case of a linked provider, also to the relevant designated awarding body concerned,

(e) publication of the report, and

(f) implementation of the measures (if any) referred to in paragraph (c)(ii).

(5) Procedures for an evaluation by a provider under subsection (4)(a) shall provide for an evaluation to be completed at least once every 7 years after the issue of guidelines under section 27 (1)(a) and—

(a) in the case of a relevant provider, whenever the Authority so directs, or

(b) in the case of a linked provider, whenever the relevant designated awarding body so directs.

(6) A relevant provider or linked provider who organises or procures a programme of education and training which is provided, wholly or partly, by another person shall, in so far as the procedures to be established by the relevant provider or linked provider under subsection (1) relate to that part of the programme provided by that person, agree those procedures with that person.

(7) Subsection (1) shall not apply to a person referred to in subsection (6) where the person is a relevant provider or a linked provider in so far as—

(a) procedures have been agreed under subsection (6) between the person and the relevant provider or the linked provider who organises or procures the programme, and

(b) those procedures relate to that part of the programme provided by that person.