Scope

The purpose of this policy is to outline the steps a learner/apprentice or centre/employer must take when submitting an appeal.

Introduction

Who does this policy/process apply to?
This policy is aimed at centres/employers and learners/apprentices, who are using, or have used, any of the products or services offered by Wisdom House, and want to submit an appeal regarding:
The results of assessments
Decisions regarding an enquiry
Decisions regarding Reasonable Adjustments and Special Considerations
Decisions relating to any action to be taken against a learner/apprentice or a centre/employer following an investigation into malpractice or maladministration, or decisions relating to Recognition of Prior Learning
The way in which a complaint has been handled
When to use this policy
Appeals can be made by Head of Centre or manager on behalf of the centre/employer or individual learner/apprentice, or a cohort of learners/apprentices. Individual learners undertaking qualifications can appeal provided they have already exhausted the centre appeals process.

The Policy

The policy
Response times
We will usually acknowledge receipt of all appeals the same day, and definitely within two working days. A decision will be made and communicated to you within a maximum of 5 working days for a stage one appeal and 20 working days for a stage 2.
Fees
Wisdom House charges a fee for a stage 2 appeal if it is not upheld. The amount is £500.
We do not make any charges for appeals against malpractice decisions, access arrangements, centre approval decisions or other procedural decisions.
Where other learners/apprentices may be affected by Wisdom House decisions
In cases where the result or outcome of an appeal may affect other learners/apprentices, then appropriate action will be taken dependent upon the nature of the appeal.
This action could include a full review of standardisation procedures or processes, training for
Wisdom House staff, additional sampling of learner/apprentice’s assessments or additional quality assurance procedures.
We will always keep learners/apprentices

How to appeal
The appeal request must be made within 10 working days of the centre/employer or learner/apprentice being informed of the decision or outcome. The correct forms must be completed.
Learners/apprentices who wish to appeal their assessment results, or a decision affecting their learning/achievement, should either be supported by the centre/employer or have already exhausted the Centre appeals process if the appeal is relating to a qualification.
For appeals against end-point assessment decisions there are two stages to the appeal process.
Stage 1 – is a review of the assessment decision which is conducted by a Wisdom House employee, who was not part of the original decision but who is qualified to verify assessments. The findings and results of this review will take no longer than 5 working days. If the appellant is not satisfied with the outcome of stage one, they can submit the appeal for stage two.
Stage 2 – The appeal goes to an appeal panel and all paperwork and decisions are reviewed. The appeals panel decision is final. If the appeal is not upheld a charge of £500 will be incurred by the appellant.

The process
A formal appeal must be submitted in writing to Innovate Awarding using the Centre/employer appeals form or Learner/apprentice appeals form; copies can be downloaded from our website www.innovateawarding.org
The forms prompt the centre/employer or learner/apprentice for the information we require, and these forms and any supporting documentation should be sent to Innovate Awarding.
By post:
Innovate Awarding
Block F291 Paintworks
Arnos Vale
BS4 3AW
Or by email to: compliance@innovateawarding.org

Stage 1
For end-point assessment appeals, this will trigger the stage one process as follows:
The appeal will be reviewed by an End-point Assessment Manager or Internal Quality Assurer, who was not involved in the original assessment decision.
This individual will review all the assessment materials and decide regarding the stage one appeal. They will we will inform the centre or learner/apprentice as soon as possible, but always within 5 working days of receipt of the stage one appeal.
If the appellant is not satisfied with the stage one appeal outcome, they can request it is progress to stage two. This must be done in writing with 5 working days of receiving the results of stage one.

Stage 2
The appeal will be reviewed by Innovate Awarding’s appeals panel. This panel comprises of a minimum of five of the following people:
Independent person with knowledge of the awarding sector (this person’s participation on the panel is compulsory)
Managing Director of Innovate Awarding
Head of Compliance
Head of Operations
Head of Product and Assessment Services
Operations Assessment Manager
End Point Assessment Manager (EPAM) with subject specialism
Product Manager (PM) with subject specialism
Development Manager
Technical Assessment Manager

They will meet to review all the evidence submitted as well as reviewing the procedures followed to ensure we have applied them consistently and fairly and in line with our policy. The Appellant will also be invited to attend the meeting in person.
The panel may ask for additional information or even request a visit to Wisdom House.
The decision of this panel is final, and we will inform the centre or learner/apprentice as soon as possible, but always within 20 working days of receipt of the stage 2 appeal.