GovWire

Once a qualification has been approved for funding, we may review the funding approval status of a qualification.

This could be because of a change which you identify - for example, if:

• you update an existing qualification
• there is a change to your scope of recognition

It could also be because of a change which the Department for Education (DfE) or the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) identify. For example, if:

• new T Levels or T Level occupational specialisms are introduced
• there is new evidence which means the qualification no longer meets the funding approval criteria
• there is a change in policy
• IfATE revises occupational standards
• IfATEs approval of the qualification changes

We will review changes with Ofqual and IfATE where appropriate.

Where there are changes to an assessment strategy for a qualification, you must also promptly notify Ofqual of the change in line with the relevant qualification-level conditions.

Once a qualification is approved for funding, we reserve the right to suspend funding approval if we have concerns about the qualification meeting the funding approval criteria. We also reserve the right to take action once a qualification is approved if we have evidence from third parties concerning the efficacy of the qualification or the organisation offering it.

Awarding organisation updates an approved qualification

Once a qualification is approved for funding, we understand that, in some circumstances, you may need to make changes to the qualification. Not all changes will mean that the qualifications approval (including funding approval) will change, but certain changes will.

Changes you do not need to tell us about

You do not need to tell us about minor changes to the existing qualification. However, ensure you update Ofquals register of regulated qualifications, where this is appropriate.

Minor changes that you do not need to tell us about are:

• spelling or grammatical corrections in the qualification title or qualification materials
• adding additional clarification to the qualification materials which does not change the meaning or interpretation of the qualification - for example, further exemplification of content which does not change the assessment or delivery

Changes you need to tell us about

Some changes to an existing qualification will be more substantial as they change the meaning and interpretation or delivery of the qualification. These types of changes also may mean you need to develop a new qualification with a new qualification number.

Examples of such changes include but are not limited to:

• changes to the qualifications purpose
• structural changes to the content being covered - for example, new topics added or removed from the specification
• revisions to assessment strategy
• changes that impact
  • the mapping or alignment of the qualification and assessment materials to IfATE occupational standards
  • the national technical outcomes for the T Level foundation year
• changes to the qualification title that are more than correcting typos or adding punctuation
• changes to the number of assessments from that previously described in the specification
• changes to the controls on assessment tasks
• changes in grade scale
• the qualification is no longer available for delivery in England
• changes in guided learning hours or total qualification time
• changes in sector subject area

Where major changes occur you must inform us of the changes made to the qualification. This is so we can review the changes and ensure they do not impact the approval of the qualification, including the funding approval.

Ensure the information you provide about changes and the information about your qualification on Ofquals register is accurate. This may impact the funding approval or funding rate of a qualification.

Changes to your assessment strategy

Ofqual requires awarding organisations to keep their assessment strategy under review. If the changes you make include a revision to your assessment strategy, you must promptly notify Ofqual.

Further information is available in Ofquals level 3 alternative academic qualifications and technical occupation qualifications qualification level conditions.

Telling us about a change

If you have changed your qualification and the change is not minor, you must inform us of the change.

For technical qualifications, you will need to inform IfATE of the change. IfATE will then share this information with DfE and Ofqual, as appropriate.

For non-technical qualifications, you will need to inform DfE of the change. DfE will then share this information with Ofqual, as appropriate.

You must also promptly and directly inform Ofqual of revisions to the assessment strategy using the awarding organisation portal. We will review the information to assess whether your qualification continues to meet the funding approval criteria. This will be alongside any review of the change from IfATE or Ofqual. We will then jointly confirm how we will manage this change.

Changes we will tell you about

You may need to revise your qualification in response to changes that DfE, IfATE or Ofqual will notify you of. For example, if there are:

• revisions to occupational standards
• changes to T Levels
• changes to the national technical outcomes for the T Level foundation year

These changes may mean we need to review the qualifications approval, including funding approval status. We will inform you of the change and what action you need to take.

IfATE has a duty to put in place arrangements to keep qualifications under review, including as a result of changes to occupational standards. IfATEwill provide further information on whether you need to submit your qualifications for re-approval.Further information is available on the occupational standards which are in scope.

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