Reasonable Adjustment Policy

DS Counselling Training – Reasonable Adjustments & Special Considerations Policy

Purpose

This policy is for all learners who are undertaking or have completed a CPCAB qualification with DS Counselling Training. We are committed to complying with all current and relevant regulation and legislation to the development and delivery of our qualifications. Our aim is to facilitate open access for all learners who are eligible for reasonable adjustments or special considerations in assessments, whilst ensuring the assessment of understanding, knowledge, skills and competence is not compromised in any way for all the protected characteristics within the Equality Act 2010. Please refer to our Equal Opportunities Policy on our website for more information.

This policy will also be used by management and staff to ensure they are dealing with all reasonable adjustments and special considerations requests in a fair and consistent manner and in line with CPCABs procedures.

This document outlines the following:

  • Arrangements for making reasonable adjustments and special considerations in relation to the delivery and assessment of our qualifications
  • How learners qualify for reasonable adjustments and special considerations
  • Reasonable adjustments we will accept and requests that are required prior to them being applied
  • What special considerations can be granted for learners.

Definitions

Reasonable Adjustment

A reasonable adjustment relates to any actions that help to reduce the effect of a disability or difficulty, which may place the learner at a disadvantage during the delivery of a qualification or an assessment situation. They are applied to an assessment process for a qualification to enable a learner with a disability or difficulty to demonstrate his or her knowledge, skills and understanding of the levels of attainment required in the qualification specification.

When a reasonable adjustment has been applied, the work produced by the learner will be marked to the same standards and assessment requirements as the work assessed of the other learners.

Special Consideration

Special consideration is a post-assessment adjustment to the marks of a learner’s assessment paper or rearrangement of an assessment time and/or date.

A special consideration can be granted after an assessment has taken place if a learner may have been disadvantaged.

Policy

DS Counselling Training will adhere to relevant requirements and legislation to promote fair access to assessment for all learners. We have policies and procedures in place which reflect the principles included within this document.

Assessment should be a fair test of learner’s knowledge, skills and ability. The standard format of assessment may not be suitable for all learners, our aim is that our assessments and qualifications do not prevent any learners from attaining them.

DS Counselling Training recognise that reasonable adjustments or special considerations may be required at the time of assessment where the following applies:

  • Learners have a permanent disability or specific learning needs
  • Learners have a temporary disability, learning needs or medical condition
  • Learners are not available at the time of assessment

Reasonable adjustments and special consideration arrangements are available to ensure all learners receive recognition of their achievement providing there is evidence that the equity, validity and reliability of the assessments can be assured. These arrangements will not be used to make assessments easier for learners or give learners a head start and will not disadvantage other learners.

All requests for reasonable adjustments and special considerations will be reviewed on an individual basis and all the information received will be considered.

Principles of Granting Reasonable Adjustments

DS Counselling Training will make these reasonable adjustments by ensuring that the following applies:

  • Reasonable adjustments granted provide learners with the opportunity to demonstrate their attainment
  • The reasonable adjustment compensates for any disadvantage imposed by the disability or difficulty but do not disadvantage others
  • Certificates issued do not mislead anyone regarding the learner’s attainment
  • The assessments were rigorous and fair
  • The assessment activity is valid and is measurable against the assessment criteria
  • Assessment results are reliable.

Reasonable adjustments that may be requested are as follows:

Modified enlarged manuals or assessment papers

For learners with a visual impairment where enlarged text would allow them access to fair delivery and assessment (pre-assessment notice is required).

 

Assessment extension time

 

Extra time is not permitted in practical skills performance. An allowance of extra time is permissible for assessment papers if the learner has learning difficulties, supported by an assessment report evidencing the need for the adjustment.

 

Use of a reader

 

For learners with a visual impairment whose reading skills have been tested and defined as below average or where English is a learner’s second language. The reader is a responsible adult who reads the questions to the learner but must not be the course tutor, assessor, relative, friend or peer to the learner. The reader must only read the question paper instructions and the questions, they must not explain or clarify. They may if requested repeat instructions, read back what has been written or give the spelling of a word on the paper.

 

Use of a scribe

 

For learners who have learning difficulties and are unable to write legibly. The scribe is a responsible adult who writes down the learner’s dictated answers to the questions, they must not be the course tutor, assessor, relative, friend or peer to the learner. The use of computer software that produces a hard copy of the learners dictated speech is permissible.

 

Use of a sign interpreter

 

For learners who communicate by using sign language. The interpreter is a responsible adult who is proficient in the use of sign language, they must not be the course tutor, assessor, relative, friend or peer to the learner. The interpreter must only sign the question paper instructions and the questions, they must not explain or clarify. They may if requested repeat instructions, learners are only permitted to sign their answers in coursework and exams where the answers required involve single words.

 

DS Counselling Training may reject requests in situations as follows:

  • Reasonable adjustments must not invalidate the assessment requirements set out in the CPCAB qualification specification
  • The content and delivery of the chosen course of study would prevent the learner from fulfilling a major section of the course affecting the assessment requirements
  • Must not give the learner an unfair advantage compared to other learners for whom a reasonable adjustment has not been granted.

Procedure to Request a Reasonable Adjustment

Managers, tutors and assessors must endeavour to identify learner needs as soon as possible to request the appropriate adjustments. The adjustment will be considered following CPCAB procedure and once approved these can be implemented.

The process for requesting access arrangements and the evidence required may vary dependent upon the qualification specification, the learner’s circumstances and any other factors that need to be taken in to consideration.

Reasonable adjustments may cover all of the course content and not just the assessment. We ask that a request is submitted to DS Counselling Training prior to the course starting, if the adjustment is to an assessment paper a minimum of 14 days’ notice is required. All arrangements for adjustments must be approved by DS Counselling Training and CPCAB before being implemented.

The reasonable adjustments and special considerations form is available on the CPCAB website or you can request a copy by contacting us.

All requests for reasonable adjustments and special considerations will be reviewed on an individual basis and all the information received will be considered.

DS Counselling Training will not approve any adjustments that may compromise the assessment criteria and that may disadvantage other learners.

Managers, tutors and assessors will assist learners in choosing an appropriate course of study, making them aware of the qualification specification requirements.

Failure to comply with this policy may constitute malpractice and the resulting disqualification of the learner.

Principles of Granting Special Considerations

Learners must have attended the course for the appropriate amount of guided learning hours and have been fully prepared by the tutor to take the assessment. If their performance in the assessment or in the production of coursework is affected by adverse circumstances beyond their control, a special consideration may be granted for a learner if they have temporarily experienced any of the following:

  • Illness or injury
  • An event out of the learners control which has or is likely to have an impact on the learner’s ability to take an assessment or demonstrate their levels of attainment during the assessment.

Any special considerations granted must:

  • Treat all learners fairly
  • Require the learner to fully meet the assessment requirements
  • Maintain the relevance, reliability and comparability of the assessment.

They must not invalidate the assessment requirements set out in the CPCAB qualification specification.

Special considerations should not give the learner an unfair advantage, neither should it mislead an employer/training provider regarding the learner’s achievements for certification. The learner’s results must reflect the achievement in assessment and not their potential ability.

If a special consideration is granted this may result in a post-assessment adjustment to the marks of the learner. The adjustment will depend on the circumstances and reflect the difficulty faced by the learner.

Learner Note: It may not be possible to grant a special consideration where an assessment requires the learner to demonstrate practical competence or when assessment criteria must be fully met.

Procedure to Request Special Consideration

Following an assessment, a manager, tutor or assessor may wish to submit a reasonable adjustment and special consideration form, in recognition of the difficulty a learner has encountered. The form is available from CPCAB website or you can request a copy by contacting us. This should be submitted within 7 working days of the assessment conclusion.

Please indicate on the form the exact nature of the adverse condition(s) that you consider make the learner eligible for a special consideration, supply copies of any appropriate evidence to support your request and securely attach to the form. You may photocopy the completed form for your records.

Please note that there will be occasions when learners are too unwell or distressed to complete an assessment and occasionally learners do underperform.

All requests for special considerations will be reviewed on an individual basis and all the evidence received will be considered.

If the request for a special consideration is successful, the learner’s performance will be reviewed based on the evidence that was submitted. A successful request of a special consideration will not necessarily change a learner’s result.

DS Counselling Training will not approve any special considerations that may compromise the CPCAB assessment criteria and that may disadvantage other learners.

Failure to comply with this policy may constitute malpractice and the resulting disqualification of the learner.

Centre Responsibility

It is important that all DS Counselling Training personnel involved in the management, assessment and quality assurance of all CPCAB qualifications, are fully aware of the contents within this policy and ensure their learners are made aware of the policy when undertaking or completing any of the qualifications offered.

Arrangements Not Covered Within This Policy

If any circumstances arise relating to internal or external assessment not covered within this policy, you should contact Debbie Owen or Sharon Hills at DS Counselling Training to discuss prior to the assessment taking place.

Appeals

If you wish to appeal against our decision to decline a request for a reasonable adjustment or special consideration please refer to our enquiries and appeal policy, this is available on our website or you can request a copy by contacting us.

Monitoring and Review

This policy and its procedures will be reviewed regularly for improvements as part of our quality assurance requirements. This will ensure it is fit for purpose, reflects the services we deliver to our learners and we provide services which are relevant to the requirements of individual needs.

Contact Details

Please address all enquiries to either Debbie Owen or Sharon Hills at:  admin@dscounsellingtraining.co.ukHere's where you can enter in text. Feel free to edit, move, delete or add a different page element.

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