Appeals against assessment decision Procedure

Aim:

  • To offer all learners the opportunity to enquire, question or appeal against an assessment decision.
  • To attempt to reach agreement between the learner and assessor at the earliest opportunity.
  • To standardise and record any appeal to ensure openness and fairness.
  • To facilitate a learner’s right of appeal to the awarding body, where appropriate.
  • To protect the interests of all learners and the integrity of the qualification.

Operation:

In order to do this Acacia Training Limited will:

    • Inform the learner of the appeals procedure.
    • Record, track and validate any appeal.
    • Forward the appeal to the awarding body when a learner considers that a decision continues to disadvantage him/her after the internal appeals process has been exhausted.
    • Keep appeals records for inspection by the awarding body for a minimum of 18 months.
    • Take appropriate action to protect the interests of other learners and the integrity of the qualification when the outcome of an appeal questions the validity of other results.
    • Monitor appeals to inform quality improvement.

All learners should be familiar with and will receive support, if necessary, with the appeals procedure and paperwork involved and with how to lodge an appeal when they first enrol with the centre. This is covered at induction.

4 Stages of the Appeals Process

  • Stage 1

    • Learners should first make the appeal through the centre's appeals system via the internal verifier/centre contact.

     

    • If the appeal is unresolved, the learner should be advised of the next stage for appeal.

  • Stage 2

    • The centre should contact
    the external verifier.

     

    • If the external verifier is not present or is unable to resolve the appeal issue, the learner should be directed to the third stage of the appeals process.

  • Stage 3

    • A written appeal should be made by the learner directly to the aWARDING vody Lead Verifier.

     

    • The lead verifier will investigate the matter thoroughly and respond in the writing within 14 working days.

  • Stage 4

    • The learner will be offered a formal appeals hearing. This will be conducted within 6 weeks and will be conducted by the appeals panel comprising of: 

    • The director of the awarding body.
    • The lead verifier of the awarding body
    • A senior management representative from the centre.
    • A chairperson employed by the awarding body.

Stage 1

If a learner wishes to appeal, the appeal is lodged with the Senior Delivery Lead (SDL) within seven (7) working days of the learner being notified of the assessment decision.                                                                                                            

Senior Delivery Lead will attempt to find a solution with the learner, Tutor Assessor, and the Curriculum Quality Lead.  If no resolution is sought at this point, then the SDL will:                                                                                    

  • Set a date for the appeal to be considered by an Appeals Panel. The learner has the right to be represented by an advocate at the appeal should they wish. If the learner attends the appeal themselves, then they have the right to have one person of their choice to attend with them if they so wish.
  • Notify the External Verifier that an appeal has been lodged and give details of how it will be heard.

The Appeals Panel will meet to consider the appeal within fifteen (15) days of the SDL receiving the appeal.

The Appeals Panel should be small and constituted so as to be objective and independent.

Outcome:

The outcome of an appeal may be: –

  • Confirmation of the original decision.
  • Instructions that the competence be reassessed by the same, or a different Tutor Assessor.

If the learner is not happy with the outcome of the appeal at stage 1, stage 2 to 4 of the appeals process will apply but equally they will have the opportunity to seek support from the Awarding Body whom they are registered with.

How to contact the Delivery Manger:

 Name: Julie Carrigan

Email: juliec@acaciatraining.co.uk

Phone No:  01782 646 346 (office opening hours 9-5 weekdays)

Current version: 10

Previous version: 9

Reviewed by: Julie Carrigan

Changes made: SCQL/CQL change to senior deliver Lead (SDL) and Education manager changed to Delivery Manager.

Issued: 09/09/2025

Next review date: 09/09/2026

Signed by: (Name & role)

Julie Carrigan Delivery Manager

Signature: Julie Carrigan