In line with Markhor Shield Security Services Equal opportunities and Diversity policy, our reasonable adjustments and special considerations policy ensures that no learners are at a disadvantage due to special needs.
Applying for reasonable adjustments and special considerations ensures assessments are adequately flexible to enable the widest learners fairly and reliably to demonstrate competence and meet the learning outcomes and assessment criteria of the course.
Definition of Reasonable Adjustment
A reasonable adjustment is any action that helps to reduce the effect of a disability that places the learner at a substantial disadvantage in the assessment situation. It is made to an assessment for a qualification to enable a disabled learner to demonstrate his or her knowledge, skills and understanding of the levels of attainment required by the specification for that qualification
Reasonable adjustments must not affect the integrity of what needs to be assessed, but may involve:
- changing usual assessment arrangements, for example allowing a learner extra time to complete the assessment activity;
- adapting assessment materials, such as using oral methods rather than written; or providing materials in Braille
- providing assistance during assessment, such as a reader;
- using assistive technology, such as screen reading or voice activated software;
Reasonable adjustments need to be approved or set in place before the assessment activity takes place; they constitute an arrangement to give the learner access to the assessment. The use of a reasonable adjustment will not be taken into consideration during the assessment of a learner’s work to ensure fairness to the learner.
Markhor Shield Security Services is required by law to do what is ‘reasonable’ in terms of giving access to assessment. However, this will vary from person to person depending on the individual circumstances, cost implications and the practicality and effectiveness of the adjustment. Other factors, such as the need to maintain competence standards and health and safety, will also be taken into consideration. The reasonable adjustments that can be given will vary widely from qualification to qualification.
Where evidence is produced in Braille or signed onto video, it is our responsibility to ensure that a person, who is suitably qualified in Braille or sign language, is available to translate the material for the internal and external Quality Assurer if this is required. Currently, Markhor Shield Security Services manager Mr Waseem is sign-language qualified.
Definition of Special Considerations
Special consideration can be applied after an assessment has taken place if there was a reason the learner may have been disadvantaged during the assessment. For example, special consideration could apply to a learner who had temporarily experienced:
- an illness or injury;
- some other event outside of their control. and which has had, or is likely to have had, a material effect on that learner’s ability to take an assessment or demonstrate his or her level of attainment in an assessment.
If the application for special consideration is successful, the learner’s performance will be reviewed in the light of available evidence. Special consideration should not give the learner an unfair advantage; neither should its use cause the user of the certificate to be misled regarding a learner’s achievements. The learner’s result must reflect his / her achievement in the assessment and not necessarily his / her potential ability
APPLYING FOR REASONABLE ADJUSTMENTS AND SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
A reasonable adjustment may be needed to provide access to assessment where a learner/apprentice has a permanent or temporary disability or difficulty and is approved, and/or agreed, before the assessment takes place. A reasonable adjustment helps to reduce the effect of a disability or difficulty that puts learners/apprentices at a disadvantage in terms of assessment.
However, reasonable adjustments must not affect or compromise the integrity of what is being assessed. Reasonable adjustments are approved or set in place before the assessment activity takes place; they constitute an arrangement to give the learner/apprentice access to the assessment.
How to apply for a reasonable adjustment or special consideration
Should Markhor Shield Security Services wish to make an application for a reasonable adjustment or special consideration on behalf of one or more learner/apprentices/apprentices, it should complete the Reasonable Adjustments application form (RA2) or the Special Consideration application form (RA3), either of which can be requested from BIIAB Customer Support via the contact details on page 8.
Form RA2 asks for details of each learner/apprentice’s circumstances, evidence of any medical conditions and other relevant information. This should be sent to the BIIAB Quality Assurance Team for the attention of the Team Leader Customer Support depending on the nature of the reasonable adjustment required (see Appendix 1).
Should Markhor Shield Security Services takemake a reasonable adjustment it must record the award of the adjustment on form RA1.
This form should be returned to BIIAB Quality Assurance Team for the attention of the Team Leader Customer Support at the end of each calendar month. The form and all relevant documentation and evidence of need must be kept in Markhor Shield Security Services files and produced on request to BIIAB or the regulatory authorities
Requests for reasonable adjustments that must be approved by BIIAB should be submitted not less than 30 working days before any assessment. BIIAB will acknowledge receipt within 2 working days and will usually provide a decision within 10 working days. In such cases, we will inform the centre of the expected response time.
Requests for special consideration should be submitted not more than 5 working days after the planned or actual assessment date. BIIAB should usually acknowledge receipt within 2 working days and provide a decision within 5 working days.
Director:
Markhor Shield Security Services
Suit 500, AW House 6-8 Stuart Street
Luton, Bedfordshire
LU1 2SJ
Website: markhorshieldsecurityservice.co.uk
Email: info@markhorshieldsecurityservices.com
Phone no: 0207 1933598