Risk Rating

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Risk Rating of non-compliances

 

SQA Accreditation assigns a risk rating to each non-compliance recorded as a result of an awarding body audit or through our centre monitoring activity.  The table below illustrates how the rating for a non-compliance is assigned and identifies the possible impact of the non-compliance on qualifications and / or the learner.

 

The assignment of a risk rating allows an awarding body to target their resources to areas which have been identified as having a major impact on the qualification and / or the learner.  Furthermore, the risk rating allows SQA Accreditation to target its resources to support awarding bodies in improving their performance.

 

Explanation of grades

Rating of non-compliance
Impact on qualification and / or learner
Impact of Non Compliance
1
Very Low
 The non-compliance is likely to cause minimal concern and would not threaten the integrity of the qualification or impact adversely on the learner. Any overall effect is likely to be small scale and / or localised, rather than widespread. The issue identified is unlikely to recur once resolved and no long lasting damage would be anticipated.
2
Low
 The non-compliance is of low impact but of sufficient importance to merit intervention, with a low threat to the systems or procedures associated with the qualification and / or impact on the learner. Disruption may not just be localised but more widespread and would possibly cause residual damage; however, this could be easily corrected without further consequence. 
3
Medium
 The non-compliance could potentially damage the credibility of the qualification and/or be detrimental to the learner. There may be some impact to the systems or procedures that support the qualification or the operational effectiveness of the awarding body.
4
High
 The non-compliance could have a high impact on the integrity and reliability of the qualification or the effective operation of awarding body as a whole if corrective action is not quickly taken. There is a high probability that the qualification and / or learner will be negatively affected.
5
Very High
 The non-compliance will have a serious impact on the integrity and reliability of the qualification or the effective operation of the awarding body if corrective action is not immediately taken.  There is a very high probability that the qualification and / or learner will be negatively affected.

In assigning a risk rating, each non-compliance is considered on its own merit, taking account of the context in which it was identified.