Malpractice and Maladministration Policy
Malpractice consists of those acts, which compromise, attempt to compromise or may compromise the process of assessment, the integrity of any qualification or the validity of an examination result or certificate. This can damage the authority and reputation of all concerned.
Maladministration is any activity or practice which results in non-compliance with administrative regulations and requirements.
The Institute of Hair & Beauty by Blow Academy does not tolerate actions (or attempted actions) of malpractice or maladministration by candidates and internal and external staff in connection with any qualification and examinations.
The Institute of Hair & Beauty by Blow Academy may enforce disciplinary action on candidates or staff where incidents (or attempted incidents) of malpractice or maladministration have been proven.
Introduction
This document provides procedures for investigating and determining allegations of malpractice and maladministration.
All staff must be vigilant regarding malpractice and maladministration where malpractice or maladministration occurs it must be dealt with in a fair, thorough, impartial, and objective way.
The Institute Manager will supervise investigations resulting from allegations of malpractice or maladministration. They are also required to inform all suspected of malpractice or maladministration of their rights and responsibilities. Investigations will escalate to the Managing Director depending on their gravity and scope.
The company reserves the right, in suspected cases of malpractice and maladministration to withhold the issuing of results/certificates or suspend any employee or contractor while an investigation is in progress. The reissuing will then depend on the outcome of the investigation.
Guidance
The Centre requires:
Tutors to have asked all candidates to declare that their work is their own
All candidates are informed of malpractice and the penalties for attempted and actual incidents
All candidates to be aware of the appropriate formats recorded cited texts and other relevant materials or information sources that can contribute to achievement.
That procedures for marking and examining work are efficient and reduce or identify malpractice e.g., plagiarism, collusion, cheating etc.
Access controls to prevent candidates from accessing and using other people’s work when using networked computers
Examiners to follow accrediting bodies guidelines for security of exam papers/online exam procedures and assessment, examination, and invigilation procedures
Candidate Malpractice
The following are examples of malpractice by candidates; this list is not exhaustive and the company, at its discretion, may consider other instances of malpractice.
Plagiarism - copying or passing off work as own including artwork, images, words, computer generated work (including internet sources), thoughts, inventions and/or discoveries with or without the inventors consent
Collusion – working collaboratively with other candidates, beyond what is permitted
Copying from another candidate or allowing work to be copied
Deliberate destruction of another candidate’s work
Disruptive behaviour in an examination room (including the use of offensive language)
Exchanging, obtaining, receiving, passing on information (or the attempt to), which could be examination related.
Making a false declaration of authenticity in relation to the authorship of coursework or the contents of a portfolio
Allowing others to assist in the production of coursework or assisting others in the production of coursework
The misuse, or the attempted misuse, of examination materials and resources (e.g., exemplar materials)
Being in possession of confidential material in advance of the examination
Personating/pretending to be someone else
Theft of another candidate’s work
Bringing into the examination room unauthorised material e.g., study guides,
Behaving in a manner as to undermine the integrity of the examination
Altering any results documentation including certificates.
Failing to abide by instructions or advice of an examiner
Breach of the instructions or advice of an examiner
Internal and External Staff and Centre Malpractice and Maladministration
The following are examples of malpractice by internal and external staff; this list is not exhaustive and the company, at its discretion, may consider other instances of malpractice.
Failing to keep accrediting bodies records secure
Tampering with candidates scripts or coursework after collection
Failing to keep candidate computer files, which contain coursework secure
Obtaining unauthorised access to exam materials prior to examination
Altering or changing marks for internally assessed components
Manufacturing evidence of competence
Entering fictitious candidates for examinations
Altering accrediting bodies assessment criteria
Assisting candidates in producing work where the support has the potential to influence an outcome or assisting with answers.
Failing to ensure candidates coursework is adequately monitored
Failure to use current assignments for assessments
Failure to issue candidates with appropriate notices and warnings
Failure to inform accrediting body of alternative sites for examinations
Failure to ensure that the examination venue conforms to accrediting body requirements
Failure to keep accurate and timely records
Failing to report an instance of suspected malpractice to accrediting body as soon as possible after such an incident occurs or is discovered
Failing to conduct a thorough investigation into suspected malpractice
Inappropriate retention or destruction of certificates
Producing falsified records e.g., sick notes, candidate ID
Knowingly allowing evidence that is not the candidates to be included in coursework
Facilitating and allowing imitation
Misusing conditions for special learner requirements
Falsifying records/certificates
Discovery of Malpractice and Maladministration
Any malpractice or maladministration or attempted acts of malpractice or maladministration, which have influenced the outcomes for candidates, must be reported to the Institute Manager. Any alleged incident of malpractice or maladministration brought to attention after the issue of certificates may result in a full investigation by the accrediting body. Depending on the outcome of the investigation, certificates could be recalled and declared invalid.
Investigating alleged Malpractice and Maladministration
When dealing with alleged malpractice and maladministration The Institute of Hair & Beauty by Blow Academy will primarily deal with the Institute Manager and will require full access to all records for investigation purposes. If applicable, examiner feedback may also form part of the investigation.
As part of this investigation the company retains the right to involve candidates and others in the investigation process. During the investigation period the accrediting body may withhold the release of results/certificates or withhold examination papers if the security of an examination is considered at risk (pending the outcome of the investigation).
If malpractice or maladministration is discovered or is reported directly to the accrediting body by a third party, the accrediting body will conduct an investigation appropriate to the nature of the allegation.
Dealing with Malpractice and Maladministration
It is the responsibility of the Institute Manager to investigate any allegation of malpractice and maladministration. Any allegation of malpractice and maladministration against the Institute Manager will be investigated by the Managing Director, or any allegation of malpractice and maladministration against a tutor will be investigated by the Institute Manager. Any alleged incident must be reported to the Managing Director at the earliest opportunity. If malpractice or maladministration is discovered or suspected within The Institute of Hair & Beauty by Blow Academy the individual must be made fully aware, in writing, at the earliest opportunity of the nature of the allegation and of the possible consequences should the malpractice or maladministration be proven. The individual must be given the opportunity to respond, in writing, to the allegations made and informed of the avenues for appealing should the judgement be made against them.
In cases where certificates are deemed to be invalid the regulatory authorities will be informed. Investigations will escalate to the Managing Director depending on their gravity and scope.
Penalties and Sanctions Applied
Where malpractice or maladministration is proven, The Institute of Hair & Beauty by Blow Academy will have to consider whether the integrity of the examination might be in jeopardy and if the member of internal or external staff or candidate in question would be involved in future examinations.
Actions from the accrediting body may include:
• Refusing to accept examination entries from the centre
• Reserving the right to withdraw programme approval
• Refusing to issue or to withdraw certificates
Appeals
If the outcome of an investigation is unsatisfactory those involved have the right to appeal in the first instance to the Institute Manager, then to the Managing Director who’s decision is final.
The accrediting bodies require centres to inform their head offices promptly should there be any publicity around malpractice or maladministration to minimise any adverse effect for all concerned.