Malpractice

There are two main types of Malpractice that may be encountered regarding Vocational Qualifications, with these being Learner Malpractice and Trainer/Assessor Malpractice.


Learner Malpractice is defined as any action by a learner which has the potential to undermine the integrity and validity of the assessment of the learner’s work. Some examples of Learner Malpractice include:

  • Plagiarism of any nature (ie taking and using another’s thoughts, writings, inventions etc as one’s own) 
  • Collusion by working collaboratively with other learners to produce work that is submitted as an individual learner’s work 
  • Copying (including the use of ICT to aid copying) 
  • Fabrication of results or evidence
  • Physical possession of unauthorised materials (including mobile phones, electronic devices, notes etc) in the examination room.

  

Trainer/Assessor malpractice is defined as any deliberate action by a Trainer/Assessor which has the potential to undermine the integrity of the vocational qualification.  Some examples of Trainer/Assessor Malpractice include: 

  • Providing improper assistance to candidates 
  • Inventing or changing marks for internally assessed work (coursework or portfolio evidence) where there is insufficient evidence of the candidates’ achievement to justify the marks given or assessment decisions made 
  • Allowing evidence to be included in a learner’s assignment/portfolio/coursework which the trainer/assessor knows is not the learner’s own work 
  • Facilitating and/or allowing impersonation 
  • Misusing the conditions for special learner requirements 

Maladministration 

In relation to Vocational Qualifications, Maladministration is defined as any non-deliberate activity, neglect or other practice that results in Capella Associates or a learner not complying with the specified requirements for delivery of the qualification, as set out in the relevant Codes of Practice (where applicable). 


Actions that may be taken in response to a concern relating to Malpractice and/or Maladministration

If a Learner, an Associate or a Capella Sub-Contractor, suspects that Malpractice and/or Maladministration relating to an assessment, assignment or examination for a Vocational Qualification has taken place they must raise their concern with the Managing Director or the Operations Director at the earliest practicable stage, in order to enable them to follow the procedures detailed within Capella's Assessment Policy. :


Further information regarding Malpractice and Maladministration is provided within Capella's Assessment Policy: https://capellaassociates.com/company/capella-policies