APPENDIX 5

QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW BRIEFING EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING THURSDAY 9TH DECEMBER

Significant progress has been made towards delivery of the new qualification for June 2005. The following points outline the main areas of development:

· The accreditation process has been ratified by TSQC* and been sent to all course providers. We are liaising with QAA* to try to get qualified contractors to undertake our accreditations. QMUC, UWIC & SWRA* are all looking to go through this process during March, with Teeside and Glasgow Caledonian sometime in the Spring.

· The core skills, modules & higher skills have been agreed and we will be seeking ratification of these via a 'virtual' TSQC in early December. We've had meetings with both the FSA & NWML and they have bought in to the whole process and are very supportive.

· We had a meeting in early Nov with the workbook examiners and lead APEL assessors to look at the assessment techniques to be used throughout the new qualification. This is breaking down to the following:

* Academic assessment for core knowledge (either students will have covered these topics in relevant degrees and will therefore be exempt or they will need to be examined in some way - a TSI set exam or equivalent standard).

* Portfolio evidence to demonstrate core skills (also included in this portfolio would be evidence of degree). The portfolio will be a combination of the existing DTS workbook and the APEL portfolio following rationalisation and updating.

* Modules will be assessed both by academic means as well as portfolio evidence. Some modules, such as metrology will have specific requirements such as an oral and practical exam. These will continue. We are also looking to introduce a viva voce at this point and reflective statements.

* The higher level will include all of the above as well as Reflective Practitioner* statements.

· Fay Edwards at SWRA has almost completed the process of mapping DCA Part 1 into the new qualification and has begun Part 2. Work will begin in the near future to map DTS into the new qualification.

The structure of the new qualification will essentially be:

· Core skills/core knowledge module = Certificate of Competence

· Core skills/core knowledge/40 points from modules = DCA

· Core skills/core knowledge/40 points/higher skills & knowledge = DTS

In the attached Appendix to this document you will see the content of the core skills & knowledge, the module chart and the higher skills & knowledge.

There are still many things to consider, including mapping routes through the new qualification, accreditation of course providers and various administration issues, such as the number of examiners required. This is very much a 'live' project and work is ongoing. However, I'm very pleased with the progress made over the last couple of months and I welcome your comments and opinions.

Next Steps:

· Completion of DCA mapping into the new qualification

· Beginning DTS mapping into the new qualification

· Mapping routes through qualification

· Ratification of core modules & higher by TSQC in early December

· Accreditation of course providers

· Project Board meeting in London on December 13th

· Timeframes for examinations.

Sarah Scott

* see glossary

APPENDIX 1

CORE SKILLS

· To apply contract law and tort (delict) in relation to the provision of goods and services

· To identify and explain the role of the Trading Standards Service (TSS) in the UK

· To identify appropriate mechanisms that provide consumer protection

· To apply appropriate mechanisms that are available to the TSS that provide consumer protection

· To select and apply the appropriate criminal law provisions which may govern the promotion and supply of goods and services

· To understand and describe the differing forms of interaction between the consumer and the supplier of goods and services

· To understand the role and impact of marketing techniques

· To apply appropriately interpersonal skills in advisory and investigative interview situations with traders and consumers

· To apply appropriately interpersonal skills to gather evidence in civil and criminal cases

· To communicate effectively on all relevant matters through diverse media and to a variety of audiences

· To deploy appropriate interpersonal skills to achieve an identified outcome

· To apply appropriate techniques to the collection, collation, analysis, interpretation and presentation of data and information

· To demonstrate effective decision making skills in identifying information needs.

CORE KNOWLEDGE

· The process of law making and sources of law in the UK and at EU level

· A basic understanding of all trading standards primary & secondary legislation

· Civil and criminal court structures and processes

· The separation of powers

· Tort (delict) of negligence and the common law duty of care

· The nature of contractual obligations

· The role of the Home Authority Principle and Enforcement Concordat and other bodies in consumer protection

· The various ways in which an equitable Trading Standards environment is achieved

· The operation and role of electronic trading in the modern trading environment

· The nature and role of consumer and trader education and the need for its provision both locally and nationally

· Other organisations providing education and advice

· The role of other regulatory services that impact on the TS Service

· Self-regulation through the trade's codes of practice

· The general regulatory framework

· Structure of trade.

SKILLS OUTCOMES - PROFESSIONAL

To be aware of the requirements of the relevant international quality management system standards
To appreciate the process of developing, obtaining and maintaining certification of a quality management system
To understand concepts of probability and statistical sampling as a means of gathering evidence and information
To evaluate a quality management system used as a means of ensuring compliance with legislative requirements
To access, process, analyse and interpret legal provisions
To evaluate, synthesise and report research findings using appropriate conventions
To identify and synthesise appropriate techniques for securing compliance
To identify, evaluate and deploy appropriate techniques of inspection and investigation
To identify, evaluate and deploy a range of options for action, based on evidence and/or information obtained
To evaluate and develop an appropriate response to the external and internal factors that influence service delivery
To evaluate performance at appropriate levels

ADDITIONAL KNOWLEDGE - PROFESSIONAL

The philosophy of quality management systems
The roles, hierarchies and inter-relationships of the various organisations involved in quality management and assurance
Legal research methodologies
The principles of risk assessment and management as a means of enhancing efficiency
Local government structures and sources of finance
Governmental and legislative concepts of performance management
Managerial concepts of performance management
The relationship between local government priorities and Trading Standards service delivery
Trading Standards service delivery in concert with other authorities and agencies.

Candidates now must choose at least 3 from group A and then any further ones from A or B to achieve a minimum of 40 credits.

Group	Service Delivery Module	Credits	Choice
A	Legal Metrology	20	At least 3 modules
	Fair Trading (Criminal)	10
	Fair Trading (Civil)	10

	Food Standards	10
	Product Safety	10
	Animal Health and Welfare	10
	Consumer Credit	10
B	Agriculture	10
	Intellectual Property	10
	Money Advice	10
	Minimum Total	At least 40

GLOSSARY

TSQC

Trading Standards Qualifications Council.

Four members make up this Council – FSA.

QAA

Quality Assurance Agency. This is one of several bodies that ensure universities and colleges throughout the country are fully competent (via accreditation) to provide courses. Our accreditation model for the new qualification is based on their framework.

QMUC

Queen Margaret University College, based in Edinburgh. They will be a new course provider via the new qualification.

UWIC

University of Wales Institute, Cardiff. UWIC currently run a BSc (Hons) Trading Standards degree course. They are looking to gain TSI accreditation for the new qualification in March 2005.

SWRA

South West Regional Assembly currently run both DCA and DTS training and are looking to gain accreditation under the new qualification in Spring 2005.

Viva Voce

An in-depth oral examination which we are looking to include at both the DCA and DTS level.

Reflective Practitioner

These are statements written by the candidates outlining their strengths & weaknesses regarding a particular exercises, how they could have improved, what they could have/would have done differently etc.