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Centre Approval Guidance

Contents

• 1. Introduction
• 1.1 Purpose and scope
• 1.2 Review of this policy
• 2. Approval criteria
• 2.1 Fee for centre approval
• 2.2 Application
• 2.3 Approval and Centre Agreement
• 3. Areas of approval and evidence requirements

1. Introduction

This document sets out our guidance on how to become an approved KPA centre and to support the development and maintenance of a strong service relationship between Kaplan Professional Awards (“KPA”) and its recognised centres.

To deliver the training of KPA qualifications and, where applicable, its assessments the prospective centres must go through a robust centre approval process, the parameters for which are set out in this document.

KPA is regulated by Ofqual, and this policy is aligned to Condition C2 from Ofqual’s Handbook on General Conditions of Recognition.

1.1 Purpose and scope

We understand that the process of approval can be quite daunting and this document is designed to provide guidance on the criteria against which we approve our recognised centres as well as providing examples of the types of documents and processes that can be used as evidence to support your application.

This document applies to all centres applying to be recognised as a KPA approved centre.

1.2 Review of this policy

This policy will be monitored by Kaplan Professional Awards (KPA) and any necessary amendments will be made and implemented at the earliest opportunity. As a minimum, KPA will review this and all associated policies every 18 months as part of its ongoing quality assurance procedures.

2. Approval criteria

KPA centre approval is granted when a centre wishing to offer our qualifications (or assessments) is confirmed as being able to demonstrate that they have the potential to deliver our qualifications and, where relevant, its assessments, effectively. We therefore assess your potential to comply with KPA requirements across the following areas:

• Governance
• Resources
• Candidate Support and experience
• Assessment and delivery arrangements
• External Assessment Arrangements
• Quality assurance arrangements

Our centre approval process covers three types of centre recognition:

1. a training centre delivering a KPA qualification(s) where its assessment is administered by KPA
2. a training centre delivering a KPA qualification(s) where the assessment is administered internally by the centre
3. a test centre looking to deliver KPA exams only.

2.1 Fee for centre approval

The initial fee is charged for processing a centre approval request, if subsequent follow-up visits are required as part of the approval process then a further fee will be payable for each additional visit.

2.2 Application

Organisations seeking approval must complete the centre approval application form, which is available by emailing kpaenquiries@kaplan.co.uk.

The form must be completed in full, providing relevant, current and accurate information. KPA’s assessment of the information provided will be based upon the type of centre approval request and the qualification(s) being offered. During the application review process, KPA may request additional information as part of its approval process.

The External Quality Assurer (EQA) will hold a virtual meeting with relevant contacts from your application form to discuss the information given in your application and attached evidence.

Centres may be subject to additional evidence requirements following their application by means of an action plan. The actions must be fully completed before approval is granted. Should an applying centre fail to complete these actions within the specified period following agreement of the action plan, the application will be rejected and a new full application (with its applicable fees) will need to be completed.

2.3 Approval and Centre Agreement

Once centres have met all of KPA’s application requirements the centre is required to sign an Centre Agreement that will allow KPA to meet the regulatory requirements for the secure delivery of its qualifications.

Organisations must be approved by KPA as an approved centre before they are permitted to deliver our qualifications.

3. Areas of approval and evidence requirements

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