Language Education Provider Accreditation Scheme Handbook

Controlled scope

What this document governs

Applies to organisational accreditation against CQ-IA-01 for the legal entity and education provision expressly named in the approved scope.

CQ-SHB-01.01

Purpose and authority

This handbook governs the Provider Accreditation route. It explains how CQ-IA-01 is applied from initial enquiry through continued oversight. The published standard states the requirements; this handbook states the operating rules used to assess them.

Where a contract, assessment plan or decision record sets a scope-specific requirement, that requirement applies only if it is consistent with the current published standard and this handbook. Certiqual records the version used for every formal decision.

CQ-SHB-01.02

Eligibility and scope definition

The applicant must be an identifiable legal entity with operational responsibility for the language education provision submitted for assessment. A brand, platform, site or franchise network may appear in scope only where accountability, control and evidence access are demonstrated.

Scope is agreed before formal assessment and names the entity, sites, languages, programmes, delivery modes, learner populations, territories and material third-party arrangements included. Anything not expressly included is outside the award.

• The applicant declares all trading names and related entities affecting the proposed scope.
• Certiqual may narrow, defer or reject a scope that cannot be assessed with sufficient evidence.
• Eligibility review is not an accreditation decision and creates no right to an award.

CQ-SHB-01.03

Application and scheme agreement

A formal application is complete only when Certiqual has accepted the scope proposal, received the required organisational information and entered into a scheme agreement with the accountable entity. The agreement covers access, confidentiality, fees, use of findings, public records and mark conditions.

The applicant must promptly correct inaccurate or incomplete application information. Material misrepresentation, concealed relationships or withheld evidence may stop the process and may later support suspension or withdrawal.

CQ-SHB-01.04

Self-evaluation and evidence file

Before assessment, the applicant maps every applicable requirement to evidence of design, implementation and outcomes. Policies without evidence of operation, isolated examples without a defined population and undated or uncontrolled documents are insufficient on their own.

Evidence must be traceable to the proposed scope and current operating period. The applicant identifies owners, storage locations, access restrictions, known gaps and planned changes. Certiqual may request source records rather than summaries.

CQ-SHB-01.05

Assessment planning, competence and independence

Certiqual issues an assessment plan proportionate to scope, complexity, delivery model, available evidence and identified risks. The plan identifies assessment activities, records to be available, participants, locations or remote access and the expected reporting route.

Assessors are assigned for relevant competence and are required to disclose actual, potential or perceived conflicts. Advisory work is kept separate from assessment and decision activity. The applicant may raise a reasoned conflict concern before work begins.

CQ-SHB-01.06

Assessment methods, sampling and triangulation

Assessment may combine document review, interviews, observation, system walkthroughs and testing of records. Evidence is triangulated across stated arrangements, actual practice and monitored outcomes; no single presentation or testimonial substitutes for this examination.

Sampling is risk-based and does not amount to examination of every person, site or record. Certiqual records the sampling rationale and may expand the sample where evidence is inconsistent, access is restricted or a finding may be systemic.

• The applicant provides safe, lawful access to sampled evidence and relevant personnel.
• Restrictions are documented and considered when judging evidence sufficiency.
• The assessment report identifies methods, scope, sample and limitations.

CQ-SHB-01.07

Findings and corrective action

A finding cites the applicable requirement, affected scope and objective evidence. Nonconformity is recorded where a requirement is not met; observations may identify a vulnerability or improvement opportunity without changing the conformity result.

For each nonconformity, the applicant addresses containment or correction, analyses the supported cause, implements proportionate systemic action and submits evidence of completion and effectiveness. Closing a finding requires verification by Certiqual; submission alone does not close it.

CQ-SHB-01.08

Independent decision and award

A person not responsible for conducting the assessment reviews the agreed scope, report, findings, corrective-action evidence and any material limitation. The decision is based on evidence available at the decision date and may not extend beyond the assessed scope.

Possible outcomes include award, award subject to stated conditions, deferral pending specified evidence, or refusal. The written decision identifies the outcome, approved scope, standard and handbook versions, conditions and any next action. No award exists until the formal decision is issued.

CQ-SHB-01.09

Public record and mark use

An awarded provider is entered in the public register with its legal name, record code, status, approved scope and decision basis. The register prevails over promotional material when determining what is currently recognised.

The accreditation mark and statements may be used only in the form authorised and only in relation to the approved scope. They must not imply certification of individual learners, guaranteed outcomes, endorsement of excluded services or recognition by another authority.

CQ-SHB-01.10

Monitoring and material change

Accreditation depends on continued conformity, not only the evidence seen at initial assessment. Certiqual may use scheduled returns, targeted evidence requests, surveillance activity, public information and substantiated concerns to monitor the approved scope.

The provider notifies Certiqual before, or without avoidable delay after, a material change affecting ownership, legal identity, leadership, sites, brands, programmes, delivery modes, territories, key controls or serious incidents. Certiqual determines whether documentary review, additional assessment, a scope amendment or a new decision is required.

CQ-SHB-01.11

Renewal, suspension and withdrawal

Renewal is a new evidence-based decision. Its scope and assessment programme take account of previous performance, changes, monitoring results, complaints and unresolved risks. Continued listing must not be assumed while renewal evidence is incomplete.

Certiqual may suspend all or part of an award where confidence is materially reduced, required access is denied, conditions are not met or public claims are misleading. Withdrawal may follow persistent or serious nonconformity, misuse, misrepresentation, loss of control over scope or failure to resolve suspension. The provider must stop affected claims and mark use when notified.

CQ-SHB-01.12

Complaints, appeals, confidentiality and records

A complaint concerns service, conduct or process; an appeal asks for reconsideration of a formal decision. Both follow the published policy, are handled by persons with appropriate independence and do not suspend a decision unless Certiqual states otherwise. An appeal must identify the contested decision and grounds.

Information is used for scheme administration, assessment, decision, oversight and public verification in accordance with applicable agreements and notices. Certiqual and the applicant protect personal data, examination or commercial security and third-party rights while preserving records sufficient to explain each decision and subsequent status change.