Taqa Assessors Award Essay

(a) There are typically six assessment methods that we can chose to employ within your role. These are listed below along with examples of when and how they could be implemented:

Sufficient- is the full range of performance identified in the standards covered does the evidence shows competence over a period of time and in a range of contexts.

Internal and external assessment requirements- what requirements do you need to follow in this area.

Assessment plays a significant role in the learning experience of students. It determines their progression through their programmes and enables them to demonstrate that they have achieved the intended learning outcomes. It is assessment that provides the main basis for public recognition of achievement, through the awarding of qualifications and/or credit.

d) Authencity:- There should be no doubt that the evidence is genuine and has been produced by the learner. e)Currency:- The evidence can prove that the learner is up to date on current methods, skills and knowledge in the chosen vocational area.

The assessment strategy should state how the subject should be assessed, and subsequent results recorded. It should also state the experience, professional development and qualifications that assessors should hold. Quality assurance requirements, for example internal and external verification or moderation, will also be stated. Organisation may also have an assessment policy which an assessor should familiarise him/herself with.

Explain legal issues, policies and procedures relevant to assessment, including those for confidentiality, health, safety and welfare

There are always key elements to assessments and reviews, including the family and friends. Everyone has a responsibility to support individuals and bearing in mind ‘need to know’ information. The aim being able to achieve the highest goal to maintain effective open channels for everyone.

Our process for internal quality assurance involves planning the units that will be sampled for each student. This is planned on an internal verification sampling plan (Evidence index 5) and we use the alphabetical listings and diagonal lines that cross the units to be sampled. If however, the units are infrequently selected then I will ensure that they are sampled and also with the new NVQ specification that has recently taken place then I would carry out a 100% check. We also like to carry out formative assessment as this is good practice and aids to our standardisation process in supporting all our assessors. Regarding support I always liaise with our more senior assessors and the external verifier to ensure I am continually meeting the quality standards required and they are always available to offer their assistance and advice. If we have a very inexperienced assessor or new assessor then the NVQ’s they assess would be sampled far deeper and more support would be given to them. I would ensure that I assess a variety of evidence ranging from Observations, Recorded discussions, Reflective accounts, Witness statements and Work products to list a few. I ensure that the levels and quantities of these are consistent, authentic, valid, and reliable especially regarding new standards.

All documents are dated and signed to allow us to have a visual audit trail which is easily identifiable. Any paper based documents that are no longer current are archived, clearly labelled and stored securely. Records of Assessment, achievement and Internal Verification activities are kept for the requested three year period and are readily available to the awarding body upon request.

4.1 Critically compare the types of feedback, support and advice that internal assessment and quality assurance staff may need to maintain and improve the quality of assessment

I would therefore maintain records, making clear who is responsible for tasks and confirming that they are being carried out effectively. Each assessment would identify a review date and include the signature of everyone involved in the assessments. The Health and Safety of staff, residents and visitors while on the home’s premises or involved in the home’s organised activities (e.g. church visits) must be protected as far as reasonably practicable. Risk assessments are undertaken for all activities and measures put in place to minimise or control risks.

With all of the activities carried our by the learner (with or without the assessor) the assessor needs to make decisions on the learner's competence in relation to the requirements of the qualification. The assessor should make their judgements of success or not and provide constructive feedback to the learner in a way that best suits the individual. If any further action is necessary for the completion of the qualification criteria (i.e. more training, description of knowledge or other evidence of ability) then a further plan should be agreed to achieve this. All such information discussed and agreed should be recorded appropriately at each stage.

1. External quality control of assessment - The monitoring and standardisation of assessment decisions will be achieved by a robust and strong external quality assurance process.

* This is to determine if the delivery and assessment meets the requirements of the standards or assessment criteria , the whole assessment process needs to be accutat, consistate, safe and meets all organisation requirements.