Introduction

The Qualifications Wales Act 2015 requires us to publish policy statements on a range of matters. These are outlined below, or you can access a full list of our policies here.

Enforcement

Taking action when things go wrong - is for recognised awarding bodies and for members of the public to understand how we might use our enforcement and sanctions powers.

Fee capping policy - explains how we may impose a limit on the amount an awarding body can charge to award publicly funded qualifications.

Monetary penalties policy - sets out the circumstances in which Qualifications Wales is likely to impose a monetary penalty and the factors we consider when determining the amount of that penalty.

Transfer conditions policy - sets out circumstances in which an awarding body’s recognition would be likely to be made subject to a transfer condition, and the circumstances in which we are likely to direct an awarding body to transfer a qualification.

Reviews and consultations

Consultation policy - explains how and why we propose to carry out consultations.  

Policy statement on conducting reviews of qualifications and the qualifications system - explains how we review recognised awarding bodies and their compliance with our regulatory requirements, as well as how we review the wider qualifications system.  

Keeping policy statements under review - outlines how we review policy statements, why we review policies, and our policy review cycle and approval process.

Recognition and approval

Recognition policy - explains our requirements for awarding bodies to become recognised, why we make criteria and rules for the recognition of awarding bodies and the circumstances in which recognition may be surrendered or withdrawn.  

Designation Handbook - explains what a designated qualification is, and how we support the designation of qualifications. It also explains how designation ceases to have effect when an approved qualification which is the same or similar to it comes into effect. 

Priority qualifications list and restricted priority qualifications policy - sets out our approach to approving qualifications in Wales and outlines the rationale and processes for the restriction of priority qualifications.  

Scheme made under Section 15 of the Qualifications Wales Act 2015 - addresses how we make arrangements for the development of restricted priority qualifications. 

Scheme made under Section 17 of the Qualifications Wales Act 2015 - makes provisions for applications for approval under section 17(2) of the Act, and our consideration of those applications. 

A scheme made under Section 19 of the Qualifications for Wales Act 2015 - in accordance with Section 19 of the Qualifications Wales Act ("the Act"), this Plan sets out the factors we are likely to consider when deciding whether or not to consider applications for approval of non-priority qualifications. The Scheme also sets out our procedure for approving such qualifications under section 19(2) of the Act.

Complaints, reporting, appeals and incidents

Complaints about awarding bodies - applies to anyone who wishes to complain about a recognised awarding body, or about one or more regulated qualifications offered by an awarding body.   

Regulatory whistleblowing policy - aims to provide clarity on who can be classed as a whistle-blower, the type of disclosures we can and cannot consider and the process we will follow when handling whistle-blower disclosures.  

Regulatory appeals policy - applies to anyone who has been affected by a regulatory decision made by Qualifications Wales and wishes to appeal that decision.  

Regulatory incident management policy - outlines our internal processes for managing regulatory incidents. 

Unacceptable actions by complainants’ policy - sometimes people conduct themselves in a manner that makes it difficult for us to deal with their complaint effectively, or at all. In these rare cases, where a complainant’s conduct is deemed unacceptable by us, this policy will apply.

Other policy statements

Policy Statement on Joint Working – This statement is for anyone who wishes to work jointly with us in connection with our functions or other matters relating to qualifications.

Policy Statement on Provision of Services – This statement explains the circumstances under which we will consider whether to engage in commercial activities as defined under section 45 of the Qualifications Wales Act 2015.

Regulatory Services Charging Policy Statement – This policy explains the circumstances under which we may charge awarding bodies in respect of the costs incurred in connection with the exercise of our various functions.

Statistical Outputs Policy - This document describes how we will publish statistical outputs relating to data that we collect on regulated qualifications. It also describes how we may make amendments and revisions to our routine statistical releases.