Malpractice and Maladministration Policy

This policy is aimed at learners who participate in our training programmes, our team who are delivering
the training services and those who are involved in suspected or actual malpractice.

Purpose of the Policy

The purpose of this policy is to set out the steps we will take if we suspect malpractice and our
responsibilities in dealing with such cases. It is also in place to review our processes in light of a suspected
or actual case of malpractice.

We will act upon any reports of suspected or actual cases of malpractice we receive which may affect the
integrity of our training programme(s) and quality assurance systems.

Definitions

Malpractice is essentially any activity or practice which deliberately contravenes regulations and
compromises the integrity of the assessment process and/or the validity of certificates and qualifications.
For the purpose of this policy this term also covers professional misconduct.

Examples of malpractice may include:

• Forgery of evidence.
• Plagiarism of any nature by learners (see separate plagiarism policy).
• Submission of false information to gain a qualification.
• Discriminatory, bullying or harassing behaviour.
• Unprofessional conduct.
• Behaviour likely to endanger the health or safety of the public.
• Breach of confidentiality of learners or organisation.
• Failure to meet the awarding body or regulator’s requirements.
• Falsifying assessment records.

Examples of Centre malpractice may include:

• Inadequate centre procedures for the induction of members of staff.
• Failure to provide learners and members of staff with the knowledge of their responsibilities through relevant policies and procedures that include the possible consequences of noncompliance.
• Failure to review systems, policies and procedures to ensure they remain fit for purpose.
• Inadequate support for learners and members of staff that includes ways of helping learners understand how malpractice can occur and be prevented.
• Failure to follow centre’s own procedures relating to malpractice, maladministration and/or plagiarism. Failure to have robust procedures in place for the review and monitoring of any administrative,
  assessment or quality process/activity that could result in the deliberate falsification of records. 
• Persistent mistakes or poor administration within a centre resulting in the failure to keep
  appropriate learner assessment records. 
• Inaccurate recording of learner assessment decisions leading to invalid claims for certification. 
• Failure to retain accurate records of learner assessment decisions for the specified timescale.

Reporting Procedure

Anybody identifying cases of malpractice should report them to our Compliance Department – Andy Grief.
The Director will respond within 3 days and investigate according to the steps below.

If an investigation finds evidence of maladministration, we will have to take the necessary steps to ensure
that the learners’ interests are protected as far as is reasonably possible. This may include making
arrangements for re-assessment.

The Investigation Process

The investigation may involve:

• A request for further information.
• Interviews (face to face or by telephone) with people involved in the investigation.
• Arranging for CN Security Ltd staff to carry out a workplace visit.
• Informing the relevant awarding body.
• We will make informed decisions based on the evidence.
• We will protect the identity of the ‘informant’ as required.
• We will also share information with other external parties, as required.

Learner Malpractice Sanctions

If the investigation confirms that learner malpractice has taken place, we may impose one or more of the
following sanctions on the learner. Please note that this list is not exhaustive:

• Disallowing all or part of the learner’s assessment evidence.
• Disallowing all or part of the learner’s external assessment marks.
• Not issuing the learner’s certificate(s). 
• Not accepting any further registrations for the learner. 
• Disqualification from the programme