QUALITY AUDIT SUMMARY. Christchurch Small Business Enterprise Centre Limited

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1 QUALITY AUDIT SUMMARY on Christchurch Small Business Enterprise Centre Limited Audit Date: 18 and 19 July 2006 Web Report Date: 9 January 2007 Provider ID: 8230

2 1 Objectives The audit aimed to obtain reasonable assurance that Christchurch Small Business Enterprise Centre Limited (CSBEC) is a sound and stable provider, has effective quality management systems in place, and is substantially achieving its goals and objectives as required by Quality Assurance Standard for PTEs, GTEs and Wnanga (QA Standard One). The results of this audit will contribute to the decisions made by Approvals, Accreditation and Audit to confirm ongoing registration and accreditation, and the length of time until the next audit. An audit is a snapshot of the organisation s performance at a particular time. As such, it is not a guarantee of ongoing compliance and effectiveness. An audit is based on sampling and instances of non-compliance may remain undetected. 2 Scope The audit covered all elements of QA Standard One except 1.2.8, Research. Research was excluded because CSBEC does not offer degree courses. CSBEC is a signatory to the Code of Practice for the Pastoral Care of International Students (Code of Practice); this audit included an evaluation of CSBEC s compliance with the Code of Practice. 3 Responsibilities CSBEC is responsible for meeting all requirements of QA Standard One by ensuring the quality of its management systems and the achievement of its goals and objectives. Under the Education Act 1989, the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (Qualifications Authority) is responsible for registering private training establishments and granting accreditation to organisations offering approved courses. 4 Background This was a scheduled audit in Christchurch at the CSBEC site. CSBEC offers courses to migrants and Work and Income clients. These courses are funded by the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) and Work and Income, and are free to those who meet the entry criteria. The courses are: Start Your Own Business course Migrant Business Opportunity course Migrant Business Investment course. CSBEC is also accredited to offer two Qualifications Authority - quality assured courses. They are: Certificate in Business Start Up Certificate in English for Business and International Trade. Page 2 of 5

3 Neither of these two courses is being offered at present. CSBEC was previously audited in 2005 and met all but six requirements of QA Standard One. The requirements not met related to governance and management; personnel; learner information, entry and support; and achievement of goals and objectives. The previous audit included an evaluation of the Code of Practice. CSBEC did not fully meet the requirements of the Code of Practice. The requirements not met related to provision of information to prospective international students, prospecti and promotional material, accepting international students for enrolment, contractual and financial obligations of signatories, and support services. It should be noted that from the time CSBEC received Code of Practice signatory status until the time of audit it had not enrolled any international students. 5 Summary CSBEC did not meet three requirements of QA Standard One. The three requirements not met related to goals and objectives; governance and management; and learner information, entry and support. The requirements not met at the previous audit have been addressed. Goals and objectives CSBEC is a not-for-profit organisation that works towards social objectives. These objectives are linked to activities that outline what the organisation considers to be achievement of the objectives. However, the quality management system (QMS) lists a separate set of goals that do not clearly relate to the social objectives. These goals have no performance indicators that signify what the organisation considers to be achievement of the goals listed. Governance and management CSBEC is a limited liability company that has several shareholders and directors. One of the shareholders is employed as the centre manager. The QMS is a high-level document that is not used by staff. However, procedures outlined in the QMS are on the whole implemented within the organisation. Staff stated that they were taught their duties by the centre manager and had no need to refer to the QMS. The QMS lacks procedural detail regarding how the centre develops new courses. Job descriptions and staff interviews confirmed that the organisational structure was clear to staff and reflected what is outlined in the QMS. An accountant independent of CSBEC attested to the future solvency of the organisation based on its forecasts for the year ending 31 March CSBEC has the necessary trust in place to protect its learners fees if required. However, all courses presently run at CSBEC are free to learners. Personnel CSBEC is using appropriate recruitment and selection practices. CSBEC has recruited staff that have all the qualifications and/or experience required by the Qualifications Authority. All staff had employment agreements or contracts. Page 3 of 5

4 Staff performance is appraised and professional development is included in budgets. Professional development is undertaken by a number of staff, and in a recent social audit 80% of staff surveyed agreed that they were able to attend training courses on a regular basis. Physical and learning resources The centre is situated in downtown Christchurch and occupies two floors of an office block. The office block had a current building warrant of fitness. A reception area, offices, interview rooms, classrooms, a common room for students and a kitchen occupy the floor space. Learners and staff stated that the various areas were appropriate and comfortable. Respondents to the questionnaires, on which the social audit was based, rated the learning materials provided by CSBEC for all courses as good or excellent. Current learners stated that the amount and type of material provided supported the delivery of courses well. CSBEC maintains an active hazard identification and mitigation strategy. It also maintains a current accident register. Learner information, entry and support CSBEC is not advertising its quality-assured courses and at present is not marketing to international students. The courses it offers are populated by referrals from MSD and Work and Income. CSBEC has basic brochures that outline course content and eligibility criteria. However, these relate only to the MSD-funded migrant courses. A one-hour enterprise allowance meeting held by Work and Income provides potential learners with information about the business start up course. All courses are short, lasting for between one and three weeks. Learners are inducted to the emergency procedures for the building, and the health and safety requirements of the centre. A student handbook that outlines the relevant rights and responsibilities of the learner and the responsibilities of the centre augments induction. All courses are classroom based. Learners stated that one-on-one additional support was available if requested. CSBEC did not fully meet the requirements of the Code of Practice. The requirements not met related to prospecti and promotional material, accepting international students for enrolment, and support services. Development, delivery and review of programmes All courses presently delivered by CSBEC are developed to meet the contractual requirements of its funding bodies (MSD and Work and Income). Each course developed includes lesson plans, timetables, lesson-specific handouts, and supplementary material to help ensure comprehension. Learners interviewed stated that their courses were delivered in ways that met their needs. Learners complimented the tutors on their organisation, presentation and knowledge of the subject area. CSBEC collects feedback from learners about their tutors, the course structure and content, and CSBEC facilities. Feedback from other stakeholders is collected as part of a bi-annual Page 4 of 5

5 social audit of the centre s objectives. The CSBEC s board is regularly updated on the achievements of the centre and changes are made to the centre or its courses where appropriate. Assessment and moderation No assessment of learner understanding or competency occurs as part of any of the present CSBEC courses. As such, no CSBEC course presently offered leads to a qualification. Certificates are issued to attest that the learner has completed the course. However, these certificates are based solely on course attendance. Notification and reporting on learner achievement CSBEC reports against its contracted deliverables to MSD and Work and Income on a regular basis. Learners confirmed that support for their learning is available when required. Achievement of goals and objectives CSBEC uses questionnaires to seek input from its various stakeholders. The data from the questionnaires is collated and measured against the activities the centre uses to determine if it has achieved its social objectives. The results are reported in CSBEC s social accounts. An external body audited the 2006 social accounts and in its opinion found them to be a fair and balanced view of the centre. The QMS is reviewed on a regular basis and any amendments are noted. Closing statement The audit obtained reasonable assurance that CSBEC is a sound and stable provider, has effective quality management systems in place, and is substantially achieving its goals and objectives. Page 5 of 5