Reasonable Adjustment and Special
Consideration Policy and Procedure

Training & Assessment. We are committed to complying with all current and relevant

regulations and legislation in the delivery of our Training & Assessments. Our aim is to

facilitate open access for all learners who are eligible for reasonable adjustments or special

considerations in training and/or assessments, whilst ensuring the understanding, knowledge, skills, and competence is not compromised in any way for all the protected

characteristics within the Equality Act 2010.

This policy will also be used by our staﬀ to ensure they are dealing with all reasonable

adjustments and special considerations requests in a fair and consistent manner.

This policy outlines the following:

Arrangements for making reasonable adjustments and special considerations about the delivery and assessment of our courses.
How learners qualify for reasonable adjustments and special considerations
Reasonable adjustments we will accept and requests that are required prior to them being applied

Definition of a Reasonable Adjustment

Enable a learner with a disability or diﬃculty to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and

understanding of the levels of attainment required in the qualification.

When a reasonable adjustment has been applied, the work produced by the learner will be

marked to the same standards and assessment requirements as the work assessed of the

other learners.

Definition of a Special Consideration

Special consideration is a post-assessment adjustment to the marks of a learner’s

assessment paper or rearrangement of an assessment time and/or date.

A special consideration can be granted after an assessment has taken place if a learner

may have been disadvantaged.

Workforce Training and Development (WTD) adhere to relevant requirements and

legislation to promote fair access to assessment for all learners.

Assessment should be a fair test of learners’ knowledge, skills, and ability. The standard

format of assessment may not be suitable for all learners, our aim is that our assessments

and training do not prevent any learners from attaining them.

We recognise that reasonable adjustments or special considerations may be required at

the time of assessment where the following applies:

Learners have a permanent disability or specific learning needs
Learners have a temporary disability, learning needs or medical condition
Learners are not available at the time of assessment

Reasonable adjustments and special consideration arrangements are available to ensure all learners receive recognition of their achievement providing there is evidence that the equity, validity, and reliability of the assessments can be assured. These arrangements should not be used to make assessments easier for learners or give learners a head start and should not disadvantage other learners.

All requests for reasonable adjustments and special considerations will be reviewed on an

individual basis and all the information received will be considered. Sensitive information

about the delegate that has been oﬀered voluntarily will be treated as confidential and in

accordance with data protection and equality legislation.

Principles of Granting Reasonable Adjustments

Reasonable adjustments granted provide learners with the opportunity to demonstrate

their attainment. The reasonable adjustment compensates for any disadvantage imposed

by the disability or diﬃculty but do not disadvantage others Certificates issued do not

mislead anyone regarding the learner’s attainment and the assessments were rigorous

and fair The assessment activity is valid and is measurable against the assessment criteria.

Assessment results are reliable. Reasonable adjustments must not invalidate the

assessment requirements set out in the qualification specification.

The content and delivery of the chosen course of study would prevent the learner from

fulfilling a major section of the course aﬀecting the assessment requirements Must not

give the learner an unfair advantage compared to other learners for whom a reasonable

adjustment has not been granted.

Procedure to Request a Reasonable Adjustment

Trainers and assessors must endeavour to identify learner needs as soon as possible to

request the appropriate adjustments are reviewed by the appropriate awarding

organisation, once approved these can be implemented.

The process for requesting access arrangements and the evidence required may vary

dependent upon the qualification specification, the learner’s circumstances and any other

factors that need to be taken into consideration.

Reasonable adjustments may cover all the course content and not just the assessment.

We ask that a request is submitted to WTD prior to the course starting.

All requests for reasonable adjustments and special considerations will be reviewed on an

individual basis and all the information received will be considered.

Principles of Granting Special Considerations

Learners must have attended the course for the appropriate amount of guided learning

hours and have been fully prepared by the tutor to take the assessment.

If their performance in the assessment or in the production of coursework is aﬀected by

adverse circumstances beyond their control, a special consideration may be granted for a

learner if they have temporarily experienced any of the following:

Illness or injury
An event out of the learners control which has or is likely to have an impact on the learner’s ability to take an assessment or demonstrate their levels of attainment during the assessment. Any special considerations granted must:
Treat all learners fairly
Require the learner to fully meet the assessment requirements
Maintain the relevance, reliability, and comparability of the assessment. They must not invalidate the assessment requirements set out in the qualification specification. The learner’s results must reflect the achievement in assessment and not their potential ability. If a special consideration is granted this may result in a post assessment adjustment to the marks of the learner. The adjustment will depend on the circumstances and reflect the diﬃculty faced by the learner.

All requests for special considerations will be reviewed on an individual basis and all the

evidence received will be considered.

If the request for a special consideration is successful, the learner’s performance will be

reviewed based on the evidence that was submitted. A successful request of a special

consideration will not necessarily change a learner’s result.

WTD will not approve any special considerations that may compromise the assessment

criteria and that may disadvantage other learners.

WTD Responsibility

It is important that all personnel involved in the management, assessment, and quality

assurance of all Awarding Organisation’s qualifications, are fully aware of the contents

within this policy and ensure their learners are made aware of the policy when undertaking

or completing any of our qualifications.

When an EQA visits they may ask staﬀ and/or learners questions to clarify if they are aware

of the policies contents and purpose.

Arrangements Not Covered Within This Policy

If any circumstances arise relating to internal or external assessment not covered within

this policy, you should contact our Training Manager at WTD to discuss prior to the

assessment taking place.

Appeals, Monitoring and Review

This policy and its procedures will be reviewed regularly for improvements as part of our

quality assurance requirements. This will ensure it is fit for purpose, reflects the services

we deliver to our learners and ensures the services we provide are relevant to the

requirements of individual needs.

Authorised by

Pauline Price

COO

Workforce Training & Development

Reasonable Adjustment and Special Consideration Policy and Procedure