Kathleen Tattersall's presentation to the Assiciation of Colleges conference, 18th November 2008

1. Quality improvement, fitness for purpose: the
Regulator’s role
Kathleen Tattersall
November 2008

2. Ofqual’s Values and Objectives
 transparency of policies, principles, procedures
 accountability to learners, the public, Parliament
 clarity for the learner and the general public
 equitable access to qualifications for all
 collaborative working with stakeholders
 value for money

3. Ofqual’s Strategic Regulation
 Ofqual will be a risk-based regulator, legally required to focus its efforts
where risk is greatest
 Ofqual will be able to strike the right balance between regulating at the
level of the awarding bodies – checking that they have the capacity,
capability and systems to deliver qualifications effectively – and at the
level of individual qualifications. If a qualification is relatively low-risk,
then provided that Ofqual is confident in an awarding body’s ability to
deliver that qualification, it will not need to subject the qualification to
scrutiny before an awarding body enters it onto the national
qualifications framework
 Ofqual needs to operate from a position of strength, with the right
powers to intervene particularly where there is a real risk of standards
being compromised.
(Additional monitoring and enforcement powers for Ofqual – draft proposals, DCSF October 2008)

4. Collaborative Regulation
Interim Ofqual has made it clear that it wishes to work collaboratively
with the awarding bodies and other key stakeholders to ensure that
learners, centres, further and higher education, employers and the
general public can have confidence in qualifications, exams and tests.
Interim Ofqual believes that its task of maintaining standards will be
achieved most effectively by developing sound working relationships with
stakeholders and an atmosphere of mutual understanding and respect.
However, in those few instances where collaborative work proves
ineffective, it is important that the regulator has clear and effective
powers that allow it to gather the information and evidence it requires to
maintain standards and enforce the decisions it has reached.
(Additional monitoring and enforcement powers for Ofqual – draft proposals, DCSF
October 2008)

5. Nature of regulation
Managerial Professional
Source of Hierarchical Expertise
legitimacy authority
Goals/objectives Efficiency/profit Effectiveness/technical
competence
Mode of control Rules/compliance Trust/confidence
Clients Corporate Individuals
Reference group Bureaucratic Professional peers
superiors
Regulation Hierarchical Collegiate/self-
regulation

6. Proposed Regulatory Powers
 the recognition of organisations which provide qualifications and
the power to withdraw that recognition
 the setting of criteria for recognition and the accreditation of
qualifications
 the determination of conditions of recognition and the powers to
direct when the conditions have been breached
 the regulation of the qualifications market, including the powers
to cap fees and other charges.
(Additional monitoring and enforcement powers for Ofqual – draft proposals, DCSF October 2008)

7. Imminent Changes to the English
Qualifications System
 new GCSEs and A-levels
 new Diploma qualifications
 functional skills 2010
 Qualifications and Credit Framework built on a unit-credit
approach
 raising the age of participation in to 18.

8. A New Dawn, A New Approach To
Regulation
 accountable to and focussed on the learner
 oriented to the learner and the public
 transparent and open
 has public trust and confidence
 strategic, not specific-qualification focussed
 collaborating with and valuing the professionalism of the
awarding bodies and research community
 providing the framework in which all professionals involved in
quality arrangements and standard setting processes can work
together to a common end
 ensuring an efficient, effective system with value for money
 tough when necessary.