DNA Awarding is a recognised Assessment Organisation (AO) committed to delivering high-quality, fair and compliant assessment services across a range of apprenticeship standards. We are dedicated to supporting apprentices, employers and training providers through robust quality assurance and continuous improvement practices.
The Quality and Compliance Advisor is responsible for ensuring the Assessment Organisation (AO) operates in full compliance with regulatory, awarding organisation and internal quality assurance requirements. The postholder will lead on quality assurance processes, continuous improvement activities and regulatory compliance to maintain high standards across all apprenticeship assessment delivery.
The role supports the integrity, consistency, fairness, and validity of assessments while ensuring the organisation meets the requirements of Ofqual, ESFA and apprenticeship assessment plans.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop, implement and maintain robust quality assurance systems and procedures across all assessment activities.
- Ensure compliance with Ofqual regulations and apprenticeship assessment plans.
- Monitor and review assessment practices to ensure consistency, standardisation and fairness.
- Lead internal quality assurance (IQA) activities including sampling, observation and assist with standardisation.
- Prepare for and support the management of external audits.
- Maintain accurate records and evidence to demonstrate compliance and continuous improvement.
- Oversee the centre approval processes, ongoing centre monitoring and ensure centre teams have access to training and support materials available, in line with our CASS strategy.
- Support and manage the IAs, IQAs and EQAs to ensure high quality, professional assessments and quality assurance practices are delivered.
- Act as on of the main points of contact for approved centres in the monitoring and management of incidents, appeals, complaints and other types of notification.
- Work closely with the General Manager to continually challenge systems/process and improve team performance
- Attend and contribute to Quality, Risk and Compliance Committee (QRCC) reporting outcomes to the General Manager
- Triage all incident reports and monitor the incident management process including but not limited to malpractice, safeguarding, and technical issues.
- Upload and verify learner registrations on the assessment management system (Proficient).
- Maintain organisational compliance registers, risk logs and action plans.
- Identify quality or compliance risks and implement corrective and preventive actions.
- Run reports to identify overdue and monitor assessment windows.
- Check and signoff Gateway evidence ensuring readiness for assessment.
- Support assessor onboarding, induction, and ongoing competency development.
- Support investigations relating to complaints, appeals, maladministration and malpractice.
- Carry out validity and compliance checks on completed assessments.
- Manage the sampling plans and ensure learners are allocated to IQA and EQA in a timely manner.
- Release assessment results and claim certificates.
- Ensure DNA Awarding maintains all SLAs to support operational performance and market position.
- Ensure all relevant questionnaires and feedback surveys are distributed following assessment completion.
- Onboard new staff onto the management system, Proficient.
- Escalate any concerns regarding Gateway readiness or assessment issues to the Centre Manager.
- Produce reports as required to support operational processes and quality and compliance monitoring.
- Liaise with employers, training providers, regulators and external stakeholders, responding professionally to customer queries.
- Uphold and promote DNA Awarding and SCL Group policies and procedures.
- Work collaboratively across the team to ensure high-quality service delivery.