Why audit?
Each year, as part of its quality assurance process, CIEH audits all aspects of the training provided by a number of registered centres. This is undertaken as a means of ensuring that qualifications are being effectively developed, maintained, assessed and monitored in accordance with the overall requirements of the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator, (Ofqual).
The audit process serves to provide both the CIEH and the centre with a means of reviewing the quality of the delivery of CIEH qualifications in relation to the established performance standards. It should also serve to encourage ongoing communication between both parties. The CIEH can become informed about innovative training solutions that are currently being employed and the centre can receive informed advice about how to improve training delivery.
The completed audit process will confirm existing good practice as well as highlighting areas where improvements to standards of quality need to be implemented within the specific centre.
The Quality Assurance team
The audit function is managed by the Quality Assurance Manager and administered at the CIEH. Audit visits, report writing and reviews of self-assessments are carried out by a dedicated team of auditors who are field based. The auditors have extensive experience of all aspects of CIEH qualifications and training provision and have worked for the CIEH for a number of years. It is possible that the visiting auditor may also be accompanied by a representative from the Ofqual.
The audit process
At some point all centres will be audited. To achieve this aim there is a rolling programme of paper based, self-assessment audits (Centre Self-assessment Audits, CSAA). For most centres, the self-assessment audit alone is sufficient to ensure centres meet our standards of practice. If you have been selected for a self-assessment audit you will be instructed by post and by email to download and complete our Centre Self-assessment Audit form.
Some centres selected for self-assessment will require a more in-depth visit from an auditor. Depending on the result of the self-assessment, this visit may take the form of a general audit of training delivery, or it may be a more focused observation of a centres examination or administrative procedures. However, a centre may be subject to any form of audit, at any time, if required by the Quality Assurance Manager.
Following all audits centre’s will receive an audit report, which will summarise the auditor’s findings, as well as producing requirements and recommendations on how a centre might improve its operation.
Summary details on the Centre Self-assessment Audit, along with the form itself and further guidance can be found on the following page. For further information, please also refer to the Auditing of Registered Centres and Trainers section of the CIEH Procedures manual.
Malpractice and complaints
A further aspect of the Quality Assurance team’s function is to respond and act upon reports of poor service or incidents of malpractice. Investigation into a centre’s or trainer’s operation is overseen by the Quality Assurance Manager. If deemed necessary, a centre may be subject to an audit as part of the Quality Assurance effort to resolve identified problems.
For further information please refer to the Malpractice and Complaints section of the CIEH Procedures manual.