Malpractice & Maladministration Policy
1. Introduction & Purpose
1.1 MI Team Training has an obligation to its learners, employers and awarding bodies to ensure that the qualifications its learners receive are a fair and accurate representation of their work, and of the knowledge and skills attained.
Therefore the purpose of this policy is to ensure that that the integrity of the qualifications is upheld by taking reasonable steps to prevent malpractice and/or maladministration and by approaching in a consistent manner, all reports of suspected or actual cases of malpractice and/or maladministration, whether carried out by learners or staff.
1.2 Learners on programmes of study with partner regulating bodies are subject to
their academic Standards and Quality and those of MI Team Training. Cases of suspected malpractice or maladministration will be referred to Mike Izzard and investigated fully.
1.3 In addition, this policy is designed to meet the requirements of The UK Quality Code
for Higher Education whereby Higher education providers operate processes for
preventing, identifying, investigating and responding to unacceptable academic practice,
ensuring that students do not obtain awards through any form of unacceptable academic
practice relating to assessment - including plagiarism, cheating, collusion and
impersonation.
2. Definitions
2.1 Malpractice
‘Malpractice’, which includes maladministration and non-compliance, means any act, default
or practice which compromises, attempts to compromise or may compromise the process of
assessment, the integrity of any qualification or the validity of a result or certificate; and/or
damages the authority, reputation or credibility of any awarding body or MI Team Training or any officer, employee or agent of any awarding body or MI Team Training.
2.2 Staff malpractice
Staff malpractice’ means: malpractice committed by a member of staff or contractor (whether
employed under a contract of employment or a contract for services); or an individual
appointed in another capacity by MI Team Training.
2.3 Learner malpractice
‘Learner malpractice’ means malpractice by a learner in the course of any examination or
assessment, including the preparation and authentication of any controlled assessments or
coursework, the presentation of any practical work, the compilation of portfolios of
assessment evidence and the writing of any examination paper.
2.4 Maladministration is defined as any activity or practice which results in non-compliance
with an awarding body’s or MI Team Training’s administrative regulations and requirements including the application of persistent mistakes or poor administration.
3. Implementation
3.1 Incidents of suspected or alleged malpractice or maladministration must be reported so
that an investigation can take place.
3.2 Allegations of staff malpractice or maladministration will be dealt with internally following a full investigation.
3.3 Allegations of learner malpractice will be dealt with by MI Team Training and, if required, alongside the awarding body.
3.4 Depending on the outcome of an investigation, penalties or sanctions may be applied. If
applied a written request for an appeal can be made within 14 calendar days.
4. Responsibilities
4.1 MI Team Training responsibilities
4.1.2 Promptly notify the appropriate awarding body of suspicions or actual
incidents of malpractice or maladministration.
4.1.3 Take all reasonable steps to investigate any suspected incidents of
malpractice or maladministration
4.2 MI Team Training Management responsibilities
4.2.1 Take all reasonable steps to prevent malpractice or maladministration
from occurring
4.2.2 Inform staff of their responsibilities under this policy
4.3 MI Team Training Staff responsibilities
4.3.1 Take all reasonable steps to prevent malpractice or maladministration from
occurring
4.3.2 Implement assessment practices that reduce the opportunity for
malpractice
4.3.3 Abide by the specific assessment and administrative requirements for each
course and qualification as laid down by the relevant awarding body.
4.3.4 Take seriously any allegations made in a professional capacity and report
any suspected incidences of malpractice or maladministration to Mike Izzard.
4.3.5 Ensure learners are aware of their responsibilities under this policy
4.3.6 Check the validity of all work submitted for assessment
4.3.7 Make learners aware of the procedures for reporting any suspected incident
of malpractice.
4.4 Learner responsibilities
4.4.1 Submit work for assessment that is the learner’s own original work
4.4.2 Report any suspected incident of malpractice or maladministration to a
member of staff
5 Whistleblower Policy
5.1 Where any staff member or learner wishes to report malpractice or maladministration and retain their right to anonymity MI Team Training shall ensure:-
· The identity of the reporter is not disclosed to any party.
· The identity of the reporter is not used verbally or in written form/removed from any documents.
· The reporter is not subject to any form of prejudice.