Towards the new regulation

Isabel NisbetActing CEO, Ofqual Friday 11 December 2009

Outline

The new Act

What the new regulatory world will look like

A bit about Ofqual

Some challenges - to us and to you

The Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009

Clear statutory objectives for Ofqual– Qualification standards – (NC) Assessment standards– Public confidence– Awareness – Efficiency

Independence – Reporting to Parliament

A regulatory change of gear – regulating at the level of the awarding organisation

What the new world will look like

Recognising organisations to offer qualifications

Some general conditions for all recognised organisations

Some specific conditions for individual awarding organisations

Ofqual MAY decide to impose the “accreditation requirement” on some qualifications

All regulated qualifications must meet our standards and will be subject to monitoring and scrutiny

– General and vocational– QCF or non-QCF– Whatever the age of the learner – BUT prioritised by risk

Ofqual – a statutory independent regulator

Appointment of Chief Regulator

Our own Board

Responsible for regulating all vocational qualifications in Northern Ireland

Vision and priorities

Vision

As the independent regulator, Ofqual strives to secure qualifications, tests and assessments that are valued and trusted by learners, users and the wider public

Strategic priorities, 2010-2011

1. Maintain and establish standards in existing, new and revised qualifications, tests and regulated assessment arrangements.

2. Promote and sustain confidence in regulated qualifications and tests through targeted, consistently applied and proportional interventions.

3. Promote awareness and understanding of regulated qualifications and their benefits to learners, employers and higher education institutions.

4. Promote the efficient and effective provision of regulated qualifications and in particular that any fees represent value for money.

More strategic priorities

5. Introduce and develop regulation in line with the statutory powers and duties as outlined in the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act

6. Develop Ofqual as an independent regulator that follows best regulatory practice.

7. Ensure Ofqual uses its resources, including the skills and knowledge of staff, efficiently and effectively

More strategic priorities

5. Introduce and develop regulation in line with the Introduce and develop regulation in line with the statutory powers and duties as outlined in the statutory powers and duties as outlined in the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning ActApprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act

6. Develop Ofqual as an independent regulator that follows best regulatory practice.

7. Ensure Ofqual uses its resources, including the skills and knowledge of staff, efficiently and effectively

Consultation

Consultation published today!

Describes how we propose to exercise our new powers, functions and duties

Gives details on how our success will be measured

Responses invited by 8 March 2010

BUT meantime: – Consultation events – Discussions with stakeholder organisations

Transitional arrangements

To ensure stability and continuity as we move to the new organisation

To make sure that decisions made on or before 31 March are still in force on 1 April

Provides a platform for us to move forward

Detailed proposals coming soon

Ofqual now

170 of us – in Coventry Office in Belfast Kathleen Tattersall – Chair and Chief Regulator Strategic Executive Team:

– IN, Acting CEO– Fiona Pethick, Director of Regulation – Dennis Opposs, Director of Standards – Matthew Lumby, Acting Director of Communications – Steven Harrison, head of Corporate Management

Ofqual Management Group Ofqual Committee New Board being appointed

Vesting Day

Challenges – to the regulator

How are we going to make sure that our new regulatory role doesn’t just add burden and cost to the system?

Do we really trust awarding organisations to control their own quality?

Are we meddling with markets too much?

Do we need so many Codes of Practice?

Do we check processes too much?

How are we going to maintain standards in the new regulatory world?

Challenges – to awarding organisations

Are you prepared to rise to the challenge of the new regulatory world?

Are you prepared to control your own quality – and to convince the regulator and the public that you can?

Do you really need such detailed regulatory rules?

Are you prepared to be transparent about costs to make sure that the public gets value for its money?

Are you prepared to unbend enough to realise the benefits of the QCF?

Will you value and look for the assurance of quality that the Chief Regulator can provide?