In response to your feedback requesting a more flexible process for claiming certificates we are delighted to announce the launch of Direct Claim Status (DCS) for all of our National Qualification Framework (NQF) qualifications, National Awards, National Partnerships and Customised Awards. DCS is simple – it‘s awarded on a qualification basis and if you are awarded DCS status you’ll be able to sign off your own certificate claim forms for that qualification without having to wait for our External Moderator to visit.
The DCS criteria
DCS is awarded for an individual qualification and is based on quality criteria that are measured and reported on through the external moderation visits carried out by your External Moderator.
- The quality criteria states that for your last 2 consecutive external moderation visit reports (over a maximum of an 18 month period) you have achieved all grades of 1 or 2 and completed the actions in the action plan.
How DCS is awarded
- When you meet the quality criteria we’ll automatically award you DCS for the qualification.
- We’ll email the Programme Contact and Exams Officer at your centre to inform you that you’ve been awarded DCS. You don’t have to do anything – it’s that simple.
So what does it mean?
If you’re awarded DCS, carry on doing what you’re doing - deliver the qualification to your learners, assess their work and make sure its internally moderated. Then, instead of having to wait for the External Moderator to visit, you can simply send in the certificate claim form signed by the Internal Moderator to NCFE and we’ll process it for you and produce your certificates.
Maintaining DCS
You need to make sure that you continue to operate to the high standards that you already have in place. You’re only required to have one visit from the External Moderator every 12 months, but you can still have the 2 visits, if you’d like them.
Agreed Certification Status (ACS)
NCFE has reviewed the ACS criteria and brought it in line with our new DCS criteria (Direct Claim status). Previously you would have been awarded ACS for our verification programmes e.g. National Awards, National Partnership or Customised Awards, where now you will be award DCS should you meet the criteria.
More Information?
If you’d like more information about DCS, or if you have any queries, please contact our External Quality Assurance Team on 0191 239 8000.