Welcome to ABC awards

Moderator/Examiner/Verifier

The QCF, 14-19 Diploma and the Foundation Learning Tier

To aid its moderators, vertifiers and examiners ABC has put together guidance on the Qualifications & Credit Framework (QCF), 14-19 Diploma and the Foundation Learning Tier (FLT).

It is important that subcontractors are aware of what is happening in these areas, and in particular be aware of the Additional & Specialist Learning (ASL) position of ABC qualifications they moderate, should centres need guidance.

This information can be found on the following pages of the ABC website -

Qualifications & Credit Framework
14-19 Diploma
Foundation Learning Tier

These pages would be worth checking regularly for updates.

Posted 7.7.09

e-Moderation Guide Now Available

This guide describes the centre’s responsibilities and the processes to be followed when planning, preparing and submitting electronic evidence samples for external moderation. It also provides some technical guidance to assist in managing some of the associated risks, and it identifies where to get further help.

This guide is intended to support centres wishing to use information and communication technology (ICT) to evidence achievement of ABC Awards’ (ABC) qualifications. ABC encourages all centres that are looking to use innovative and modern methods of assessment.

This guide is intended for:


e-Moderation Guide

Posted 6.10.08

New Centre Recognition and Qualification Approval

ABC Awards has changed its policy on Centre Recognition and Qualification Approval. This is just one of our strategies to help minimise bureaucracy and streamline our approval processes for centres wishing to offer ABC qualifications.

From now on centres which are already approved by other QCA approved awarding bodies will be mutually recognised by ABC Awards. Our Centre Recognition process will simply confirm a centre’s contact details and an agreement to abide by a common set of principles.

Centres which are new to teaching and learning or a particular sector will receive a visit from an appropriately qualified external moderator or verifier who will, as now, confirm that a centre has the appropriate resources in place to ensure that candidates are placed in the best possible position to achieve our awards.

Letter regarding Centre Recognition and Qualification Approval

Accompanying Documents -

For further information, please contact Julie Lloyd, Director of Operations, Tel 0115 854 1630 Email juliel@abcawards.co.uk.

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External Moderators/Verifiers/Examiners

All ABC awards are moderated or examined by specialists who provide advice and guidance as well as setting and maintaining the highest standards.

External Moderators/Verifiers:

  1. attend relevant training events
  2. participate in review panels and standardisation events
  3. communicate effectively with allocated centres
  4. disseminate relevant/appropriate information
  5. carry out quality audits

External Examiners:

  1. attend relevant training events
  2. participate in moderation panels and benchmarking meetings
  3. monitor the consistency of standards
  4. communicate/disseminate information effectively

If you can share your expertise with others and represent ABC with commitment and in a professional manner and are interested in receiving more information, download the relevant Forms from the Forms Section or contact the ABC Office nearest to you for further details and an information pack.

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Internal Moderation & Assessment Documents

ABC has produced information and guidance for centres on internal moderation, assessment and evidence collection.  There are also forms relating to internal moderation available for centres who do not have their own documentation.

These documents can be found in the Forms Section.

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Latest News

ABC Gains Ofqual Recogition as a QCF Awarding Organisation

ABC has been fully recognised by Ofqual as a QCF awarding organisation. This means that it is now able to extend the accreditation life of current QCF qualifications beyond December 2010. ABC will be working with relevant SSCs to extend all current QCF provision as quickly as possible.

All new qualifications will be recognised for the QCF and will be approved beyond December 2010. ABC intends to replace the majority of its remaining NQF qualifications with updated provision on the QCF as soon as possible. All plans are subject to SSC approval and timescales. Posted 4.2.10

Counselling Qualifications Update

ABC’s Counselling qualifications have an accreditation end date of 31st December 2010.

We have been engaged with Skills for Health (the Sector Skills Council responsible for Counselling) for the past 12 months concerning the transition of counselling qualifications to the new Qualifications and Credit framework.

They have been conducting research looking at the Counselling landscape, its terms, its scope etc. and the potential for identifying learning pathways.  These pathways might equate to a career development plan for individuals wishing to study toward full specialist areas of counselling with stepping off points to roles along that pathway.  To help us in this endeavour the SSC engaged Consultants whose remit is to produce a report late December 2009. 

Counselling update continued....

Posted 2.12.09

Statement of Intent

Qualifications for the Children and Young People’s Work Force

ABC Awards has been working with other Awarding Organisations under the leadership of the Children’s Work Force Development Council (CWDC) and the Care Council for Wales on units which will form new qualifications at Levels 2 and 3 for the Children and Young People’s Workforce. These will be available for learners to enrol on by August 2010.

They will be:

Level 2 Certificate for the Children and Young People’s Workforce.
It will:

  • assess both competence and knowledge.
  • be a progression route to the new Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce.
  • reflect the common core skills and knowledge that employers identify as important.

Level 3 Diploma for the Children and Young People’s Workforce
It will be:

  • approximately 60-65 credits
  • a full and relevant level 3 qualification.
  • assess knowledge and skills
  • in some parts of the children and young people’s workforce a requirement for registration and regulatory purposes
  • contain L4 units to aid progression to further higher level study such as Foundation Degrees
  • provide the opportunity for achieving individual units as CPD

ABC Awards is also working with the Care Council for Wales in collaboration with CWDC on a Level 5 qualification for the sector.  More details will follow shortly.  Further details will also be available from CWDC’s website www.cwdcouncil.org.uk

Posted 2.11.09

Customised Provision

Throughout 2009/2010 ABC will be reviewing its accredited and customised provision and migrating suitable provision onto the new Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF).   Provision that is not suitable for migration onto the QCF will be required to be updated in accordance with current approval requirements, and submitted for re-approval.

The approval period for all current ABC Customised Provision Programmes will therefore end on 31st December 2010. Centres offering Customised Provision Programmes will be contacted individually in due course. Posted 26.8.09

Upcoming Events at ABC Awards

Art, Design & Creative Industries Launch Events
ABC Awards will be holding events in March 2010, across the country to launch its new suite of qualifications in the Art, Design and Creative Industries sector.

Health & Social Care Update & Information Events - June 2010
Covering qualifications in: Youth Work, Vulnerable Young People, Counselling, Reflexology, Child Care. Dates: 15th, 17th,  23rd and 29th June. 

Go to Conference & Events page for further information and booking forms.

Qualifications Directory 2009-2010

image of ABC Awards Qualifications Directory

Examination Officers Guide 2009-10

image of ABC awards Examination Officers Guide 2009-10 guide

Alpha Newsletter Winter 2009

image of ABC awards Alpha magazine

Annual Review 2009

image of ABC awards Annual review 2008

todays date 18th March 2010

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