BACKGROUND

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance and support to Inspira staff and any other relevant individuals or stakeholders handling possible conflicts of interest that may arise, as a result of their roles delivering, assessing or administering regulated qualifications. The most important feature of the policy, is the instruction that individuals should always disclose an activity if there is any doubt about whether it represents a conflict of interest. The aim of the policy is to protect the charity, associated stakeholders and the individuals concerned from any appearance of impropriety.

SCOPE

This policy applies to staff and other individuals who interact or potentially interact with the work of the charity on the delivery of regulated qualifications. This includes individuals involved with all aspects of devising, setting, tutoring, assessing, marking, administering, invigilating, internally verifying or any other areas where conflict of interest may arise.

The content of the policy cannot cover every potential conflict and is not exhaustive, and must be interpreted in the light of the particular circumstances of each case. Staff have a responsibility to use their judgement and if in doubt, discuss their concerns and issues with their line manager or another appropriate manager.

RESPONSIBILITY

It is the responsibility of the Director to ensure that this policy is reviewed annually and to make revisions as necessary.

It is the responsibility of line managers to ensure that all Inspira colleagues are aware of and understand the Company’s policy.

All Inspira colleagues undertaking assessment (‘assessors’), moderation (‘moderators’ or ‘verifiers’) and other individuals have a responsibility to be aware of the potential for a conflict of interest.

It is the responsibility of all Inspira colleagues to disclose any actual or potential conflict of interest to their line manager or an alternative manager.

POLICY

1.1. Definition

Conflict of interest can be defined as a situation/conflict between the official responsibilities of an individual (tutor, assessor, examiner, internal verifier) or organisation which could compromise or appear to compromise their decisions.

Conflicts of interest can arise in a variety of circumstances and are not exhaustive, for example:

Inspira staff who have a relationship with a learner assessing the work of that learner;

Inspira staff reviewing assessment material delivered by another staff member with whom they have a relationship;

Inspira staff that have a commercial interest in the assessment outcome.

Conflicts of interest are not restricted to cases in which an individual actually derives some advantage. They also arise and can be equally damaging where a conflict exists or appears to exist without any consequential behavioural impact.

Inspira staff will notify line manager /other appropriate manager of any potential conflict of interest with regards to the delivery, assessment etc of regulated qualifications.

Such situations must be carefully managed to ensure that any conflict of interest does not detrimentally impact on the standards of the charity and its awarding body as well as public confidence.

The information submitted is then evaluated to identify if any further action is required and a written record of the outcome of the evaluation is kept and a copy will be provided to the concerned individuals. If the individual concerned has any changes to their declared circumstances, they must inform their line manager immediately in writing, so that the conflict of interest can be evaluated, and the register updated.

Learners will be able to report any perceived conflicts of interest using the Complaints procedure.