Fair access is the principle for ensuring all apprentices registered for their End-Point Assessment with Skills for Logistics are treated fairly without any signs of prejudice.

This enables us to give all our apprentices an equal chance of success by implementing appropriate reasonable adjustments.

The adjustments must not be used to give an advantage to the apprentice compared to other apprentices undertaking the same EPA without any adjustment, nor affect the integrity of the End-Point Assessment.

This policy is used to set out the principles that Skills for Logistics Ltd. ensures fair access for all apprentices.

This may be related to an application for a reasonable adjustment for assessment or an application for
Special Consideration. Our access arrangements ensure that we comply with the Equality Act 2010.

Reasonable Adjustments - Reasonable adjustment relates to an adjustment that helps to reduce the effect of a disability or recognised difficulty, which may otherwise unfairly place the apprentice at a disadvantage during the assessment process. Reasonable adjustments mustn't affect the reliability or validity of the assessment, and that should not give the apprentice an advantage over other apprentices undertaking the same assessment. They should be agreed upon at the planning stage of the assessment.

Special Consideration - Special consideration is an allowance that is usually requested immediately around the assessment occasion to accommodate temporary illness, injury or other indisposition that occurred at the time of the assessment.

The adjustment must be relatively small to ensure the integrity of the assessment is maintained. Special consideration requests should be formally applied for as soon as it is identified as needed.

Those handling any requests for reasonable adjustments should also refer to any external guidance provided by External Quality Assurance Providers (EQAPs), assessment plan information or documentation which may be provided by the apprenticeship standard trailblazer group, qualification awarding organisation, or other stakeholders such as the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IFATE) or the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA).

This policy uses as its reference the Joint Council of Qualifications (JCQ) published guidance on fair
access arrangements and reasonable adjustments.

1. Access arrangements: any reasonable adjustment must be agreed upon between the apprentice/provider and Skills for Logistics before an assessment.

They allow apprentices with special educational needs, disabilities, or temporary injuries to:
● access the assessment

● show what they know and can do without changing the demands of the assessment.

2. The intention behind a reasonable adjustment is to meet the needs of an apprentice without affecting the integrity of the assessment.

3. Reasonable Adjustments may be unique to that individual and may not be included in the list of available adjustments listed below.

4. Whether an adjustment will be considered reasonable will depend on several factors. These include, but are not limited to:
● the needs of the disabled apprentice

● the effectiveness of the adjustment

● the cost of the adjustment;

● the likely impact of the adjustment upon the apprentice and other apprentices taking the same EPA.

5. This policy relates to industry-specific aspects such as the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) requirements for drivers of large goods vehicles and specific features relevant to the logistics and road transport industry.

6. We aim to involve apprentices and their employer/provider in any decisions about adjustments/adaptations. This will ensure that individual needs can be met whilst also bearing in mind the specified assessment criteria for a particular qualification.

7. As the needs and circumstances of each apprentice are different, a request for a reasonable adjustment is done on a case-by-case basis. We require formal evidence of need before we agree or take steps to make necessary adjustments or modifications.

We aim to do this at least six weeks before an assessment, ideally at the point of registration.

8. Records of the evidence and the agreed adjustment will be stored with the apprentice assessment data and made available to the relevant External Quality Assurance body upon request.

9. Reasonable adjustments may include the following, but others may be available depending upon the needs of the apprentice:
● Supervised rest breaks

● Extra time

● Computer reader/reader

● Read aloud and/or use an examination reading pen

● Scribe/Speech recognition technology

● Word processor

● Prompter

● Oral Language Modifier

● Live speaker for pre-recorded examination components

● Sign Language Interpreter

● Practical assistant

● Alternative site for the conduct of examinations

Skills for Logistics have a formal procedure and standardised documentation for applying for a
reasonable adjustment. The form is available on request to the EPA administration team.

If an apprentice for any reason considers that they have been wrongly refused access to fair assessment and wishes to appeal, they can follow the Skills for Logistics Appeals Policy.

If an employer or provider considers that their apprentice has been wrongly refused access to a fair assessment and wishes to appeal, they should also follow our Appeals Policy. However, they must ensure they have the apprentice's permission to raise such an appeal on their behalf.

If you have any questions regarding our Fair Access Policy, please fill out our contact form or call us at 0117 927 8800.