Quality Assurance

Quality Assurance Support for Centres

Getting approved is only the beginning. FAO helps centres build and maintain the internal quality systems, documentation and compliance processes that awarding bodies require on an ongoing basis.

Awarding body approval and regulatory responsibility remains with the relevant UK awarding organisation. FAO’s quality assurance support helps centres meet those requirements — it does not replace or substitute for the awarding body’s own quality and compliance processes.

Quality Assurance Is Not Optional

When an organisation becomes an approved centre for a UK awarding body, it takes on responsibility for the quality of qualification delivery. That means maintaining robust internal quality assurance processes, keeping documentation current, and being ready for external quality assurance visits at any time.

Many centres — especially those new to UK-regulated qualifications — underestimate the ongoing QA requirements. FAO’s support helps centres build systems that are fit for purpose from day one, rather than scrambling to meet requirements when an EQA visit is scheduled.

FAO supports centres to prepare for and maintain the quality assurance requirements set by awarding bodies — providing structured support that goes beyond guidance and into practical implementation.

Common QA Challenges for New Centres

Understanding what the awarding body’s IQA requirements actually mean in practice
Building assessment documentation that meets awarding body standards
Setting up IQA sampling plans and records systems
Preparing for an EQA visit with limited prior experience
Maintaining compliance as the centre grows or adds new qualifications

Six Areas of Quality Assurance Support

IQA Readiness

Helping centres establish their internal quality assurance function — including IQA roles, responsibilities, sampling strategies and records management. We work with your team to ensure your IQA system is operational before delivery begins.

Centre Policies and Procedures

Developing and reviewing the centre policies, procedures and documentation that awarding bodies require — including assessment policy, malpractice policy, complaints procedures and appeals processes.

Assessment and Verification Systems

Supporting the design and implementation of assessment plans, marking and verification processes that align with awarding body requirements and ensure consistent, fair assessment across the centre.

Compliance Documentation

Preparing and reviewing the documentation portfolio that demonstrates centre compliance — including learner records, assessment decisions, standardisation records and quality improvement plans.

EQA Preparation

Preparing centres for external quality assurance visits from the awarding body — including mock EQA reviews, document checks and guidance on how to present your centre’s quality evidence effectively.

Continuous Improvement

Supporting centres in building a culture of continuous quality improvement — including standardisation activities, post-delivery reviews and quality improvement planning that goes beyond minimum compliance.

Practical Support, Built Around Awarding Body Requirements

FAO supports centres to prepare for and maintain awarding body quality assurance requirements. Our support is designed to be practical and implementable — working with your team to build systems that are operational, not just documented.

FAO does not replace or substitute for the awarding body’s own quality and regulatory processes. Formal approval and EQA decisions remain with each awarding body. FAO’s role is to help your centre meet and maintain those requirements.

Discuss Quality Assurance Support

FAO Provides

Centre approval readiness support
Internal quality assurance system development
Assessment practice and standardisation support
Compliance documentation and policy development
External quality assurance (EQA) preparation
Continuous improvement frameworks

Need Quality Assurance Support?

Whether you’re preparing for your first EQA visit or building your IQA system from scratch, speak to FAO about how we can support your centre’s quality assurance journey.