Standards verification for Entry Level to Level 3

Standards verification for Entry Level to Level 3 Standards verification is how we check that you are operating appropriate quality assurance and maintaining national standards. This document provides more information on the process and support to help you prepare. How we do it We allocate a Standards Verifier, who is a subject expert, to conduct sampling of assessment instruments and assessed learner work in order to provide judgments and feedback. Standards Verifiers support you in identifying good practice and areas for further development, giving you guidance on how you can improve your assessment. If our Standards Verifier concludes that learners haven't demonstrated the national standard outlined in the specification through their work, you'll agree actions that need to be completed before we'll be able to issue certificates to your learners. This will include providing a second sample to show that you've responded to the Standards Verifier's feedback. Find out more about the roles and responsibilities of people involved in the Standards Verification process The Process The process for standards verification is slightly different depending on the type of programme you are delivering. This section covers: Entry Level to Level 3 (QCF) Level 2 Firsts (NQF) Children and Young People sector Entry Level to Level 3 (QCF) This section provides information on Standards Verification for our BTEC Level 2 Firsts (QCF), BTEC Level 3 Nationals (QCF) and BTEC specialist qualifications at Entry Level to Level 3. Allocation of your Standards Verifier At the beginning of each academic year all Lead Internal Verifiers need to log into OSCA, our Online Standardisation platform via Edexcel Online, to confirm they are responsible for a Principal Subject Area. Based on this information and your registrations, we'll usually allocate Standards Verifiers to Principal Subject Areas that require standards verification between December and January.

Once programmes have been allocated, we'll let the Quality Nominee know and the Standards Verifiers will make contact with their allocated centres between late December and early March. There are four reasons for us to allocate you with a Standards Verifier: Confirmation sampling Each year we'll select a proportion of Lead Internal Verifiers, who have received accreditation through OSCA, for confirmation sampling. If you're selected, you'll need to complete standards verification to confirm that the assessment practices within your Principal Subject Area still meet national standards. You should expect to take part in confirmation sampling at least once during your accreditation period. Accreditation sampling If your performance in the standardisation exercise suggests that you would benefit from additional support, we'll allocate a Standards Verifier for accreditation sampling. You'll need to complete standards verification to confirm that the assessment practices within your Principal Subject Area meet national standards. If the Standards Verifier confirms that the assessment practices within your Principal Subject Area meet national standards following accreditation sampling, certification will be released and you'll gain accreditation for your Principal Subject Area for a further 3 academic years. Self-accreditation not attempted Once the final standardisation window has closed, we'll allocate a Standards Verifier to all Lead Internal Verifiers who haven't attempted the exercise. You'll need to complete standards verification to confirm that the assessment practices within your Principal Subject Area meet national standards. If the Standards Verifier releases certification, you'll need to complete the standardisation exercise in the next available window in order to gain accreditation. Direct to Standards Verifier The Principal Subject Areas listed below either aren t covered by Lead Internal Verifier accreditation or are no longer covered by Lead Internal Verification accreditation. We'll start allocating Standards Verifiers to all centres with registrations, which don't hold existing accreditation, from November. BTEC Aeronautical Engineering BTEC Agriculture BTEC Animal Care BTEC Aviation Operations BTEC Cleaning and Facilities Management BTEC Countryside BTEC Fire services BTEC Horticulture BTEC Land-based Studies BTEC Management BTEC Management (Law) BTEC Maths BTEC Security BTEC Supporting Teaching and Learning BTEC Sustainability BTEC Transport and Logistics We will begin to make these allocations in December with a view to have completed the activity no later than the following February We will inform Quality Nominees when programmes have been allocated a Standards Verifier via the Edexcel Online system This will mean that the Standards Verifiers will make contact with their allocated centres between late December through to early March If you have any queries about the allocation of your Standards Verifier, please contact the Customer Services team on 0844 463 2535 or examsofficers@pearson.com Routine v1.0 Page 2 of 18

Arranging the sample The Lead Internal Verifier should provide the assessment plan(s) for all registered learners including: who is assessing each unit and learner and when assessment is expected to be completed who is internally verifying the assessment decisions and when internal verification is expected to be completed. planned resubmission opportunities This should be submitted either through allowing access to the assessment plan (if you use mybtec) or by sending a copy to your Standards Verifier. If you are using mybtec the plan is generated automatically and you can allow access for your Standards Verifier. If you do not use mybtec you should record your assessment plan(s) as a spreadsheet or table and email to your Standards Verifier. The Standards Verifier will use your assessment plan to agree: when they will need to receive your sample by post or the date they will visit your centre the sample size the date when you will provide the learners final grades to allow the sample to be selected If you use mybtec the learner grades will be collated automatically and you can allow access for your SV. If you do not use mybtec you should collate your final grades and email them to your SV. In order for your assessment plan to be considered fit for purpose, it must allow for sampling to take place in time for your learners to undertake any actions that may be required before the end of their final term. Only completed units with finalised grades (including any resubmissions) can be sampled. If you are planning to complete the qualification within one year, you should ensure units are completed and available for sampling within the sampling window. All first samples must be completed by 30 April 2016. Any further sampling must be completed by 31 May 2016. This is to ensure that learners completing in the current academic year have their results in time for college and university admissions. You must work with your Standards Verifier to enable all first samples to be completed by the 30 April 2016 deadline. Routine v1.0 Page 3 of 18

Confirming your sample Your Standards Verifier will request a list of final learner grades for each unit near to the agreed sample date. They will select units from each level of programme offered. The number of units required for sampling depends on the programmes being delivered at your centre. Once the SV has the final grades they will then confirm the final selection of the learner s work to be sampled. Level Largest programme size delivered Numbers of units sampled Level 3 90-Credit Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma 2 units Or, if none of the above, Certificate or Subsidiary Diploma 1 unit Level 2 All programme sizes 1 unit Level 1 and Entry Level All programme sizes 1 unit The number of learners sampled for each unit is linked to registrations on a programme. Please ensure that your registrations are up-to-date on Edexcel online. If you deliver a number of programmes in a Principal Subject Area (e.g. Extended Certificate and a Diploma), then the total number of registrations is used to determine the sample size. Learners may be selected from any of the programmes. Number of learners registered Number of learner samples Extra learners required for second sample 1 to 3 All learners sampled No sample increase 4 to 100 4 2 (all learners if fewer than 6) 101 to 250 8 4 251 or more 12 4 We may scrutinise certification claims made after your sample has been submitted to identify discrepancies. Preparing your sample For each learner selected as part of the sample, you'll need to provide your Standards Verifier with definitive evidence of the assessment process for the entire unit, which they'll use to confirm whether the National Standard is being applied. The materials you send to your Standards Verifier will include: Assignment briefs all assignment briefs used to generate learner evidence for the unit Learner evidence and assessment records Routine v1.0 Page 4 of 18

completed unit of learner work assessment decisions for the learner work and related feedback signed and dated declaration of authenticity by the learner confirmation from the assessor that the evidence is authentic and is the learner's own work Internal verification documentation internal verification documents for the assignment briefs internal verification documentation relating to the assessment decisions. For each learner, the assessment decisions for at least one Assignment towards the unit will have been internally verified the Lead Internal Verifier declaration A full audit trail of any resubmissions signed and dated authorisation from the Lead Internal Verifier, showing the resubmission deadline and any conditions that were put in place e.g. to prevent collusion initial assessment record resubmitted learner evidence with a signed and dated declaration of authenticity from the learner assessment records for the resubmission detailing the additional evidence submitted and any changes to the assessment decisions confirmation from the assessor that the resubmitted evidence is authentic and the learner's own work Please ensure that the Standards Verifier has all the information needed to verify grades. If materials are incomplete, inappropriate or don't appear to be authentic, your Standards Verifier won't be able to complete sampling and will contact you for clarification. When collating your samples of learner work you should send copies, not originals, of learner work to reduce the risk of loss or damage. Assessment and internal verification records will be able to be accessed by the Standards Verifier in mybtec. If you do not use mybtec then you can send all documents either electronically or by post. Completing sampling You will need to send the evidence for your sample to the Standards Verifier. You can do this electronically or you can use our courier service to send copies of the evidence. Please do not send us the originals of the work. It is good practice to have a second copy of the work in the unlikely event the work is lost in transit to your Standards Verifier. Instructions for sending BTEC samples via Parcelforce We have an account with Parcelforce that you can use, free of charge, for sending standards verification samples. Routine v1.0 Page 5 of 18

Accessing your Standards Verifier's report Your Standards Verifier will produce a report within 10 working days of reviewing your sample. Once the report has been completed, your Quality Nominee will receive an email to let them know the report is available to view at Edexcel Online. Outcomes of your first sample There are two possible outcomes of your first sample: Level Certification Release Certification Block Numbers of units sampled Submitting a second sample You've provided a full sample and your Standards Verifier has confirmed you have got adequate quality assurance procedures in place. Your Standards Verifier has agreed that you're assessing learners to the national standard but may offer recommendations on how to improve on current practice This means certification is released for the current academic year and a second sample is not required A release during Accreditation Sampling also means that you'll gain accredited Lead Internal Verifier status for the current academic year plus 3 years (subject to future confirmation sampling) A release during Confirmation Sampling means that you'll retain your accredited Lead Internal Verifier status for the remainder of your accreditation period You've provided a full sample but your Standards Verifier does not agree that you're assessing learners to the national standard. This is because one or more of your assessment decisions have been judged to be incorrect, or your approach to assessment and verification doesn't meet the requirements This means that certification is blocked and a second sample will be requested If the Standards Verifier judges that learners have been disadvantaged, they'll be able to authorise a further resubmission, on the basis that the original assessment decisions were invalid. This will be clearly stated on the standards verification report A block during Accreditation Sampling also means that you haven't gained accredited Lead Internal Verifier status and will need to take the online standardisation exercise at the next available opportunity A block during a first Confirmation Sampling won't affect your affect your accreditation status You will need to submit a second sample if your first sample resulted in a certification block. Your Standards Verifier will get in touch to agree a timescale for you to submit the second sample once you've accessed the original report. A second sample will be conducted remotely, even if your first sample was conducted by a visit. Routine v1.0 Page 6 of 18

Your second sample will include: the elements of the first sample that caused the original block evidence that amendments have been made to address the issues highlighted in the Standards Verifier report. There are usually two ways to address this: reassess the learner work in line with the Standards Verifier s decision replace or improve the learner work, and reassess in line with the Standards Verifier s guidance evidence for additional learners chosen by your Standards Verifier, in order to check that standards are being reapplied consistently across a programme. Once your second sample has been reviewed, your Standards Verifier will submit a second report within 10 working days. Your Quality Nominee will receive an email to let them know the report is available to view on Edexcel Online. Outcomes of your second sample There are two possible outcomes of your second sample: Report status Certification Release (2) Remedial action required Outcome Enhanced Confirmation Sampling Your Standards Verifier has agreed that you are now assessing to the national standard but may offer recommendations on how to improve on current practice. Your quality assurance procedures will also have been confirmed as adequate This means certification is released for the academic year A release (2) during Confirmation Sampling means that you'll keep your accredited Lead Internal Verifier status for the remainder of the accreditation period, subject to future confirmation sampling Your Standards Verifier still doesn't agree that you're assessing to national standards At this point your Regional Quality Manager will meet with you to agree a remedial action plan. You'll need to complete the action plan before your Regional Quality Manager will release certification for the academic year Enhanced Confirmation Sampling is part of our overarching quality assurance process and ensures quality assurance supports accurate assessment. The process samples all levels within a Principal Subject Area and has a broader remit than our standard Confirmation Sampling process. We scrutinise each centre s quality profile, taking into account factors such as: registration patterns the proportion of D/D* grades claimed by programmes over time the outcomes of other quality processes, such as quality review & development (now Quality Management Review ) and approvals issues highlighted in a particular sector. Routine v1.0 Page 7 of 18

Your Quality Nominee will receive a letter confirming which Principal Subject Area(s) have been selected for Enhanced Confirmation Sampling. This usually happens between December and January. You will receive a visit from your Standard Verifier, who will look at the following: A sample of assessed learner work for all levels within the Principal Subject Area programme that has been highlighted: o o o Assignment briefs Assessed learner work Internal verification documents Assessment and internal verification records for the last BTEC National cohort Certification data provided by Pearson, for comparison with centre records The Principal Subject Area s procedure for recording and monitoring assessment and internal verification decisions on programme Pearson will provide the Standards Verifier with certification data for the previous year s BTEC National cohort. At the visit, the Standards Verifier will audit the centre s assessment and internal verification records for this cohort, confirming whether: o o records have been kept up to date and archived appropriately the centre s assessment records match the final certificate claims for the previous academic year If a centre s assessment records do not match final certificate claims this will lead to a block. This is recorded in the report The Standards Verifier will also meet with a group of current BTEC learners. Pearson will provide a series of pre-set questions. These questions will discuss the learners experience of assessment, feedback and the level of support. The summary of this discussion is captured on the report You will be provided with feedback at the end of the visit and a full written offline report within 10 working days. If we require a second sample following an Enhanced Confirmation Sampling visit, this will be completed remotely. Appealing the outcome of standards verification We have a formal appeals process to address any concerns you may have about the outcome of the standards verification process. Enquiries and Appeals about Pearson Vocational Qualifications policy Routine v1.0 Page 8 of 18

BTEC Level 2 Firsts (NQF) This section provides information on Standards Verification for all of our BTEC Level 2 Firsts (NQF) except Children's Play, Learning and Development (CPLD) for which there are separate arrangements. For information on CPLD Standards Verification, please select the appropriate section below. Allocation of your Standards Verifier From November, centres with learner registrations on BTEC (NQF) programmes will be identified for standards verification. We'll usually allocate Standards Verifiers between December and February. Once programmes have been allocated, we'll let the Quality Nominee know and the Standards Verifier will make contact with their allocated centres between late December and early March. If you have programmes with no active learners on them please notify us as soon possible through vqdeployment@pearson.com. For all other questions about the allocation of your Standards Verifier, please contact the Customer Services team on 0844 463 2535 or examsofficers@pearson.com Arranging the sample The Lead Internal Verifier should provide the assessment plan(s) for all registered learners including: who is assessing each unit and learner and when assessment is expected to be completed who is internally verifying the assessment decisions and when internal verification is expected to be completed. Planned resubmission opportunities If the programme is administered using mybtec these are created automatically and will be able to be seen by the SV through allowing access to mybtec. If the programme uses paper based quality assurance then a spreadsheet template is available, and this should be emailed to the Standards Verifier. The Standards Verifier will use your assessment plan to agree: when they will need to receive your sample by post or the date they will visit your centre the units to be sampled the date when you will provide the learners final grades to allow the sample to be selected advise you on any potential for disadvantage to your learners In order for your assessment plan to be considered fit for purpose, it must allow for sampling to take place in time for your learners to undertake any actions that may be required before the end of their final term. You should arrange for your sample to be available as early as possible. Only completed units with finalised grades (including any resubmissions) can be sampled. If you are planning to complete the qualification within one year, you should ensure units are completed and available for sampling within the sampling window. All first samples must be completed by 15 June 2016. Any further sampling must be completed by 15 July 2016. This is to ensure that learners completing in the current academic year will have a result on Level 2 results day. You must work with your Standards Verifier to enable all first samples to be completed by the 15 June 2016 deadline. Routine v1.0 Page 9 of 18

Confirming your sample Your Standards Verifier will request a list of final learner grades for each unit to be sampled near to the agreed sample date. The number of units required for sampling depends on the programmes being delivered at your centre. Once the SV has the final grades they will then confirm the final selection of the learner s work to be sampled. Number of registrations Number of learner-unit samples Award, Cert & Ex Cert 1-249 learners 2 units x 5 learners 250+ learners 2 units x 10 learners Diploma 3 units x 5 learners 3 units x 10 learners Extra requirement at second sampling Award, Cert, Ex Cert & Diploma +5 learners per affected unit & +1 further unit x 5 learners +5 learners per affected unit & +1 further unit x 10 learners NB: There are exceptions for Applied Science and Childcare sectors that are explained below. Sampling explained Sampling will include assessment decisions made by all assessors of the programme during the registration period, and cover the full range of grades awarded. Most of the learners selected as part of your sample will have had the assessment decisions for at least one of their assignments internally verified. Your Standards Verifier may request to see additional units if it isn't possible to get a sample representing a range of grades, assessors or types of evidence from these minimum requirements. If essential actions are needed then a second sampling is required, and the SV will: Review the re-assessed and finalised grades and select additional learner samples to ensure that feedback has been applied to the whole cohort, and Sample a further unit(s) to ensure that any feedback has been applied to across the programme and by assessment team as a whole, so that there are no further issues for learners. The aim of this sampling structure is to minimise the administration burden for centres who are assessing accurately, yet provide fuller support when need is identified. Routine v1.0 Page 10 of 18

Preparing your sample For each learner selected as part of the sample, you'll need to provide your Standards Verifier with definitive evidence of the assessment process for an entire unit, which they'll use to make a judgment on your approach to assessment. The materials you send to your Standards Verifier will include: Assignment briefs all assignment briefs used to generate learner evidence for the unit Learner evidence and assessment records completed unit of learner work assessment decisions for the learner work and related feedback signed and dated declaration of authenticity by the learner confirmation from the assessor that the evidence is authentic and is the learner's own work Internal verification documentation internal verification documents for the assignment briefs internal verification documentation relating to the assessment decisions. For each learner, the assessment decisions for at least one Assignment towards the unit will have been internally verified the Lead Internal Verifier declaration A full audit trail of any resubmissions signed and dated authorisation from the Lead Internal Verifier, showing the resubmission deadline and any conditions that were put in place e.g. to prevent collusion initial assessment record resubmitted learner evidence with a signed and dated declaration of authenticity from the learner assessment records for the resubmission detailing the additional evidence submitted and any changes to the assessment decisions confirmation from the assessor that the resubmitted evidence is authentic and the learner's own work Please ensure that the Standards Verifier has all the information needed to verify grades. If materials are incomplete, inappropriate or don't appear to be authentic, your Standards Verifier won't be able to complete sampling and will contact you for clarification. When collating your samples of learner work you should send copies, not originals, of learner work to reduce the risk of loss or damage. Assessment and internal verification records will be able to be accessed by the Standards Verifier in mybtec. If you do not use mybtec then you can send all documents either electronically or by post. Completing sampling You'll need to send the evidence for your sample to the Standards Verifier. You can do this electronically or you can use our courier service to send copies of the evidence. Please do not send us the originals of the work. It is good practice to have a second copy of the work in the unlikely event the work is lost in transit to your Standards Verifier. Instructions for sending BTEC samples via Parcelforce Routine v1.0 Page 11 of 18

We have an account with Parcelforce that you can use, free of charge, for sending standards verification samples. Accessing your Standards Verifier's report Your Standards Verifier will produce a report within 10 working days of reviewing your sample. Once the report has been completed, your Quality Nominee will receive an email to let them know the report is available to view at Edexcel Online. Outcomes of your first sample There are three possible outcomes of your first sample: Report status Certification Release Certification Block Not Yet Fully Sampled (NYFS) Outcome You've provided a full sample and your Standards Verifier has confirmed you have got adequate quality assurance procedures in place. Your Standards Verifier has agreed that you're assessing learners to the national standard but may offer recommendations on how to improve on current practice This means certification is released for the academic year and a second sample is not required You've provided a full sample but your Standards Verifier does not agree that you're assessing learners to the national standard. This is because one or more of your assessment decisions have been judged to be incorrect, or your approach to assessment and verification doesn't meet the requirements This means that certification is blocked and a second sample will be requested If the Standards Verifier judges that learners have been disadvantaged, they'll be able to authorise a further resubmission, on the basis that the original assessment decisions were invalid. This will be clearly stated on the standards verification report If your Standards Verifier is not able to see the full sample and none of your learners are completing the qualification in the current academic year, they can begin the process by reviewing the bits of the sample that are ready. This could mean looking at fewer units of learners' work or just looking at the assignment briefs, depending on what is available. This allows your Standards Verifier to support you as early as possible in your delivery to reduce risks for your learners. A Standards Verifier report based on an incomplete sample does not release certification but will change the report status to NYFS meaning that the programme is not yet fully sampled. Once you've received a NYFS report, the standards verification process is complete for the year, but you should read the comments and complete any essential actions as soon as you can. No second-sampling is possible until first sampling is completed the following year. We'll try our best to allocate you the same Standards Verifier the following year, who will check your progress on any actions and complete your first sample. Routine v1.0 Page 12 of 18

Submitting a second sample You will need to submit a second sample if your first sample resulted in a certification block. Your Standards Verifier will get in touch to agree a timescale for you to submit the second sample once you've accessed the original report. A second sample will be conducted remotely, even if your first sample was conducted by a visit. Your second sample will include: the elements of the first sample that caused the original block evidence that amendments have been made to address the issues highlighted in the Standards Verifier report. There are usually two ways to address this: o o reassess the learner work in line with the Standards Verifier s decision replace or improve the learner work evidence samples from additional learners so that your Standards Verifier can check that standards are being reapplied consistently across your learners samples from an additional unit to ensure that any feedback has been applied to across the programme and by assessment team as a whole. Once your second sample has been reviewed, your Standards Verifier will submit a second report within 10 working days. Your Quality Nominee will receive an email to let them know the report is available to view at Edexcel Online. Outcomes of your second sample There are two possible outcomes of your second sample: Report status Outcome Certification Release (2) Remedial action required Your Standards Verifier has agreed that you are now assessing learners to the national standard but may offer recommendations on how to improve on current practice. Your quality assurance procedures will also have been confirmed as adequate This means certification is released for the academic year Your Standards Verifier still doesn't agree that you are assessing to national standards At this point your Regional Quality Manager will meet with you to agree a remedial action plan. You'll need to complete the action plan before your Regional Quality Manager will release certification for the academic year Appealing the outcome of standards verification We have a formal appeals process to address any concerns you may have about the outcome of the standards verification process. Enquiries and Appeals about Pearson Vocational Qualifications policy Routine v1.0 Page 13 of 18

Sampling Exceptions: Applied Science This section provides information on the variations to standards verification for the Applied Science sector. The nature of the qualification structures in this sector mean that the quality assurance processes are slightly different to other subjects. All aspects not covered by this section are described above in BTEC Level 2 Firsts (NQF). Confirming your sample Your Standards Verifier will request a list of final learner grades for each unit to be sampled near to the agreed sample date. Once the SV has the final grades they can select the learner s work to be dispatched. Number of registrations Award, & Ex Cert 1-249 learners 3 units x 5 learners 250+ learners 3 units x 10 learners Number of learner-unit samples Diploma Minimum 3 units x 5 learners Minimum 3 units x 10 learners Extra requirement at second sampling Award, Cert, Ex Cert & Diploma +5 learners per affected unit & +3 further units x 5 learners +5 learners per affected unit & +3 further units x 10 learners Sampling will: include at least one unit from each of the sciences for example Biology from Principals of Science, Chemistry and Physics from Applications of Science, include assessment decisions made by all assessors of the programme during the registration period, and cover the full range of grades awarded. Most of the learners selected as part of your sample will have had the assessment decisions for at least one of their assignments internally verified. Your Standards Verifier may request to see additional units if it isn't possible to get a sample representing a range of grades, assessors or types of evidence from these minimum requirements, or if any additional risk is identified. If essential actions are needed then second sampling is required, and the SV will: review the re-assessed and finalised grades and select additional learner samples to ensure that feedback has been applied to the whole cohort, and sample 3 further units (one from each of the sciences) to ensure that any feedback has been applied to across the programme and by assessment team as a whole, so that there are no further issues for learners. The aim of this sampling structure is to minimise the administration burden for centres who are assessing accurately, yet provide fuller support when need is identified. Routine v1.0 Page 14 of 18

Children and Young People sector This section provides information on standards verification for the following qualifications within the Children and Young People sector: BTEC Entry 3 Award in Caring for Children (QCF) BTEC Level 1 Award, Certificate and Diploma in Caring for Children (QCF) BTEC Level 2 Firsts in Children's Care, Learning and Development (QCF) BTEC Level 3 Nationals in Children's Care, Learning and Development (QCF) BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Firsts in Children's Play, Learning and Development (NQF) BTEC Level 3 Nationals in Children's Play, Learning and Development (2012) (NQF) BTEC Level 3 Nationals in Children's Play, Learning and Development (Early Years Educator) (NQF) BTEC Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid (QCF) The nature of qualifications in this sector mean that the quality assurance processes are slightly different to other subjects. Allocation of your Standards Verifier We'll begin allocating Standards Verifiers to all centres with registrations from November. Once programmes have been allocated, we'll let the Quality Nominee know and the Standards Verifier will then get in touch to ask for details for the relevant Lead Internal Verifier. Lead Internal Verifier This is the person designated by you to act as point of sign off for the assessment and internal verification of each of your childcare qualifications. The lead internal verifier needs to be registered via our Online Support for Centre Assessors (OSCA). For Entry level and level 1 Caring for Children, Lead Internal Verifier accreditation is required via our OSCA platform. There is no Lead Internal Verifier accreditation for other qualifications in this sector but LIVs should use the Practice Materials to standardise their assessment teams. Arranging the sample The Lead Internal Verifier should confirm the assessment plan for all registered learners including: who is assessing each unit and learner and when assessment is expected to be completed who is internally verifying the assessment decisions and when internal verification is expected to be completed. The Standards Verifier will use your assessment plan to agree the: date of the sample sample size You should arrange for your sample to be taken as early as possible. Only completed units can be sampled and therefore if you're planning to deliver a programme within 1 year, you'll need to make sure Routine v1.0 Page 15 of 18

that units are completed and available to submit. All first samples must be completed by 15 June 2016. Any further sampling must be completed by 15 July 2016. Please note that these are final deadlines and centres should be mindful of their individual term end dates and plan to complete sampling accordingly. This is to ensure that learners completing in the current academic year have their results in time for college and university admissions. Confirming your sample Your Standards Verifier will request a list of learner grades for each unit approximately 4 weeks before the agreed sample date. They'll then confirm the final selection of learners and units to be sampled, based on the number of registrations you've made, the number of assessors on the programme and the grades awarded. Sampling is conducted on completed units and will include assessment decisions made by all assessors involved across the programme during the registration period and cover the full range of grades awarded. Programme Qualification size Units sampled BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Firsts in Children's Play, Learning and Development (NQF) BTEC Level 2 Firsts in Children's Care, Learning and Development (QCF) BTEC Level 3 Nationals in Children's Play, Learning and Development (2012) (NQF) BTEC Level 3 Nationals in Children's Play, Learning and Development (Early Years Educator) Award Units 2 and 3 Certificate Certificate or Diploma Subsidiary Award or Award Subsidiary Certificate Certificate Diploma Subsidiary Award Award or Subsidiary Certificate Certificate Diploma Award Units 2 and 3, plus one optional specialist unit One unit One unit One unit Skills for Practice Log Unit 11, plus one other unit Skills for Practice Log Units 11 and 12, plus one other unit. Skills for Practice Log One unit One unit Practical Evidence Portfolio Unit 11, plus one other unit Practical Evidence Portfolio Units 11 and 13, plus one other unit Practical Evidence Portfolio One unit Routine v1.0 Page 16 of 18

BTEC Level 3 Nationals in Children's Care, Learning and Development (NI only) The size of the sample will be: Certificate or Diploma Programme Qualification size Number of registrations BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Firsts in Children's Play, Learning and Development (NQF) Award Certificate Number of learner samples Unit 4 and one other unit Extra learners at second sample 1-249 10 Up to 10 250+ 20 Up to 20 1-249 15 Up to 15 250+ 30 Up to 30 1-3 All N/A BTEC Nationals in Children's Play, Learning and Development / Children's Play, Learning and Development (Early Years Educator) Subsidiary Award, Award, Subsidiary Certificate, Certificate, Diploma 4-100 101-250 251+ 8 across unit 11/12/13; 4 for additional units 16 across units 11/12/13; 8 for additional units 24 across units 11/12/13; 12 for additional units 2 (or all if 4 or 5 registrations) 4 4 Submitting a first sample As part of the regulatory requirements for programmes in this sector, we will provide an annual Standards Verification visit for the following programmes: BTEC Level 1/Level 2 First Certificate in Children's Play, Learning and Development (NQF) BTEC Level 3 National Certificate in Children's Play, Learning and Development (NQF) BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Children's Play, Learning and Development (NQF) BTEC Level 3 National Certificate in Children's Play, Learning and Development (Early Years Educator) (NQF) BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Children's Play, Learning and Development (Early Years Educator) (NQF) BTEC Level 3 Children and Young People programmes (including Children's Care, Learning and Development) (QCF) Because this sector is highly regulated, sampling will be undertaken by visit for the Level 3 National Certificate and National Diploma sizes within this suite of qualifications. Smaller qualifications at the same and lower levels running at the centre will also be sampled where possible but postal samples may be required depending on the size of the provision. Routine v1.0 Page 17 of 18

For Level 2 and smaller Level 3 programmes you'll need to send the evidence for your sample to the Standards Verifier. You can do this electronically or you can use our courier service to send copies of the evidence. Submitting a second sample You'll need to submit a second sample if your first sample resulted in a certification block. Your Standards Verifier will get in touch to agree a timescale for you to submit the second sample once you've accessed the original report. A second sample will be conducted remotely, even if your first sample was conducted by a visit. Your second sample will include: the elements of the first sample that caused the original block evidence that amendments have been made to address the issues highlighted in the Standards Verifier report work for additional learners so that your Standards Verifier can check that standards are being reapplied consistently across the programme Once your second sample has been reviewed, your Standards Verifier will submit a second report within 10 working days. Your Quality Nominee will receive an email to let them know the report is available to view on Edexcel Online. Routine v1.0 Page 18 of 18