Decision

Signature undertaking: September 2018

Undertaking from Signature to address non-compliance following defects identified by an Ofqual audit.

Applies to England

Documents

Signature undertaking - September 2018

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Details

Awarding organisation Issue Action taken Case status
Signature An admission that Signature failed to comply with Condition C1.1(a) – Arrangements with third parties and Condition A6.2 – Identification and management of risks. On 27 September 2018 Ofqual accepted an undertaking from Signature. Closed

Following an Ofqual audit programme which reviewed the arrangements put in place by awarding organisations for the approval of centres to deliver regulated qualifications, Ofqual identified defects in Signature’s approach to approving centres (e.g. schools, colleges, training providers). Principally, we found that, for some of its qualifications, Signature gave automatic approval without prior checking of those centres’ capability and capacity to deliver its qualifications. The audit did not find any evidence to suggest that there had been an Adverse Effect.

After the audit, Signature took prompt action to revise and implement an amended approach to centre and qualification approval. By 31 March 2019, it will ensure that its centres have followed the revised processes and verified the information provided by them, to gain assurance that centres have the necessary capability and capacity.

In line with General Condition B8, Signature must now take all the steps identified in the undertaking. We may take further action if it does not follow through on its commitments.

Ofqual is satisfied that Signature has complied with the terms of the undertaking, and the matter has now been closed.

Published 5 October 2018
Last updated 31 October 2019 + show all updates
  1. Updated details of the action to reflect that the undertaking is now closed.

  2. First published.