Planning Across The Whole Award

It is vital that the assessor and candidate both have a copy of the relevant standards, and arrange an initial meeting, when they can sit down together with the list of units to work out which Option units are to be taken alongside the Core units.

At this first meeting, it can be helpful for the Assessor to undertake a Skills-scan with the candidate (this is available from City and Guilds) which enables the candidate to think about what he/she does as part of the daily routine, as well as any evidence that might be held which could be "APL’d" (i.e. accredited as previous learning).  The assessor must also talk with the candidate and identify any specific learning needs - that is whether the candidate has dyslexia or any other concerns, e.g. working at night and when the assessor would be able to observe.

Once the core units have been chosen, the assessor then needs to agree which option unit should be tackled first.  An explanation must be given to the candidate about the different forms of evidence that can be used, as well as sufficiency, authenticity, relevance and currency.  Nowadays awarding bodies are predominantly looking at observation, with knowledge inferred at the time of observation, or followed up by related questioning (with oral preferred) and most expect performance evidence to be referenced once.

The assessor should also explain about the value of “holistic” assessment i.e. that although they are first concentrating on the agreed unit,  the assessor will also cross reference this one piece of evidence to all units being undertaken. 

It is important the candidate is encouraged to produce evidence even if the assessor is not there i.e. witness testimony from suitable colleagues or to write a reflective account about something that was demonstrated.  With the revised NVQ standards, all awarding bodies expect candidates to complete quicker as the qualifications have been designed to be lighter. 

From this first meeting, the planning paperwork must be completed indicating what will happen, when, how, and finally when both will meet again for feedback/progress to date.   Both assessor and candidate should sign and date this paperwork.  A good time frame is agreed to make sure the assessor is observing regularly, with a maximum of two weeks between planning and feedback meetings.

Planning meetings, evidence collection and feedback will continue until the award is completed. 

The assessor will need to help guide the candidate with the portfolio and where evidence is kept. The other most important points to be covered are the Appeals procedure and the role of internal verification.