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Blog Post
The DCS impact
Simon Linard • Aug 14, 2019
What is one of the most common questions an EQA is asked?
Whilst carrying out my work as an External Quality Assurer (for the Awarding Organisation NCFE) I often get asked a lot of questions and for advice, I'm always happy to provide an answer or give advice. Can you guess the number one question I get asked as an External Quality Assurer (EQA)?
When do we get DCS?
There are a couple of variations to that questions - do we have DCS now? and how quickly can we get DCS? Direct Claims Status (DCS) is awarded by an Awarding Organisation to recognise the quality of delivery, assessment and internal quality assurance for a qualification, its a quality mark or quality standard. It is usually earned by demonstrating quality over a period of time.
So why am I getting asked that question?
It is because an organisation (a college or a training provider) want to be able to certificate freely, as soon as their learners complete, in a hurry if necessary, and also shout about having it (it's a status thing you know).
Are there any shortcuts to DCS?
Yes there can be and it's those shortcuts that create problems in terms of quality dropping, high levels of certifications and sometimes learners being wrongly certificated.
What's the rush?
I know the answer, Training Providers / Colleges / Schools want to certificate on demand. That's fine, I understand that, but what about taking the opportunity to showcase what they do, get feedback for what they do, or just have the chance to speak with an EQA to check everything is ok. I also understand having DCS is a convenience, it can ease funding pressures and even help win contracts or funding. My fear is the 'dark side' of DCS and the ease in which is can be abused. Yes you deserve credit for what you do and this reflects the quality of your assessment and quality assurance, but DCS has been abused by some.
What happens when you get DCS?
It means you are good. Good at the way you offer a particular qualification. It also means you might not see an EQA or be subject to the EQA process (more remote EQA is now taking place) for a long period of time, this could be good as you're free to certificate as you go.
What happens to the 'poor' providers?
There are some poor quality providers out there, what if they have DCS? What if they are certificating on a whim and do not give quality a second thought? Some Awarding Organisations give DCS straight away, with a view to maintaining it or losing it.... others set requirements, such as two EQA visits, with a specific number of completed learners to sample and a positive EQA report with no actions. Whatever you do and wherever you are with DCS never lose sight of the quality of what you do - delivery, support, assessment, quality assurance.
SL Training and Development gets good feedback from EQAs
I was recently called by one of my EQA's (for our Level 3 End Point Assessment) qualification, who gave me some fantastic verbal feedback to go alongside the report he was writing. He felt that our approach, assessment and quality assurance of the qualification is excellent and he wanted to tell me. I was delighted of course, and looked forward to his written report too. So this all came about because the qualification is new and we didn't have DCS at the point of EQA. This meant I was able to receive this feedback and all pass it on to the rest of the team.
Ofqual are interested in DCS
Ofqual are currently in the process of conducting a review and consultation on Direct Claims Status
so it will be interesting to see the outcome and plans for the future and how Awarding Organisations may need to adapt their External Quality Assurance approach.
Don't be in a hurry to get DCS
So don't be in a hurry to get DCS, the feedback you get from an EQA can be so helpful, both in terms of developing what you do and providing you with confirmation that you do a great job. My stance on DCS, don't compromise standards (see what I did there). Also, get it, look after it and don't let anyone think you've got it via a short cut.
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