Ofqual publishes regulatory arrangements on adapting vocational and technical qualifications and assessments in 2021.
In recognition that some learners taking vocational and technical qualifications (VTQs) have experienced lost teaching and training time as a result of COVID-19 and that appropriate arrangements need to be put in place to mitigate the impact of this disruption and respond to any ongoing or future public health measures. Ofqual consulted on proposals to permit awarding organisations to adjust their qualifications and assessments, which took account of the different ways in which the qualifications are used ranging from those taken alongside, or instead of general qualifications, to those used to signal occupational competency. On 7 September, Ofqual confirmed their decisions and the proposed arrangements will be implemented in full.
On 12 October 2020 Ofqual published the Extended Extraordinary Regulatory Framework (ERF), to put the arrangements into effect. The Extended ERF sets out the regulatory arrangements and statutory guidance with which awarding organisations must comply when adapting their qualifications. It includes 4 principles with which awarding organisations must comply when making their decisions around adaptations, supported by statutory guidance. Ofqual have also included statutory guidance on Special Consideration within the regulatory framework.