Malpractice Policy and Procedure
Section 1 Scope of GDP Malpractice Policy
For the needs of this document, the term ‘malpractice’ also covers maladministration, misconduct and plagiarism whether deliberate or unintentional.
1.1 Definition of malpractice and examples
Malpractice is to act with the deliberate intention to breach regulations and compromise the:
- Internal or external assessment process
- Integrity of a regulated qualification
- Validity of a result or certificate• Reputation and credibility of the Centre.
1.1.1 Indicative list of examples of malpractice by course provider
- Inadequate training of staff members
- Not informing members of staff or learners of their responsibilities under relevant policies
- Failure to review systems, policies and procedures to ensure efficacy
- Failure to keep to the providers own procedures
- Maladministration and/or plagiarism
- Failure to have sufficient procedures to adequately review and monitor administrative, assessment or quality process/activity resulting in possible falsification of records
- Failure to keep adequate records of learners, assessment or internal quality assurance matters, or to retain such records for a designated time period.
1.1.2 Indicative list of examples of course provider influencing assessment outcomes
- Failure of a member of centre staff to report any instances of malpractice or suspected malpractice to a responsible senior manager
- The unauthorised obtaining, disseminating, or the facilitating of access to secure examination/assessment materials
- Allowing unauthorised access to examination papers
- Assisting or prompting learners in an examination
- Falsification learners’ marks, assessment evidence or records of any sort connected with assessment of qualifications
- Selecting samples that are not representative for the purposes they were intended or distort outcomes.
1.1.3 Indicative list of examples of malpractice in the conduct of examinations
- Breaches of any secure material, eg examination papers; materials & electronic equivalents
- Centre staff undertaking examinations for qualifications that they are teaching or assessing on
- Unauthorised changes to examination timetables
- Failure to issues learners with appropriate notices and warnings
- Non-adherence to the invigilation requirements
- Amendment of examination materials without permission
- Failure to provide access arrangements in accordance with GDP Global requirements
1.1.4 Learner malpractice
- Falsification or fabrication of examination/assessment evidence
- Any form of impersonation
- Obtaining or attempting to obtain secure examination/assessment material
- Offering a bribe of any kind to an invigilator, a member of centre staff or GDP Global staff
- Plagiarism in all its forms
- Falsifying authenticity in any way
- Cheating in all its forms
- Collusion of learners by sharing work for assessment
- Introduction of unauthorised material/instruments into the examination room session
- Misuse or attempted misuse of examination/assessment material
- Sharing confidential examination materials in an authorised manner
- Disruptive, violent or offensive behaviour
- Any form of communication with other learners (written, verbal, gestures, expressions, pointing etc) during examination conditions
- Refusal to satisfy requirements of examination officials
- Bribery in all its forms.
1.1.5 For specific guidance on plagiarism, collusion and cheating please see the published GDP Global Plagiarism Policy.
Section 2 General process and procedures for investigating cases of suspected malpractice.
2.1 Submitting an allegation of Malpractice
Allegations of malpractice should include details of the alleged activity and the source/evidence for the allegation. Please request malpractice notification form from GDP.
According to the nature of the allegation GDP Global may delegate the responsibility to investigate the allegation to a lead independent investigator or request a third party to undertake an investigation. When undertaking an investigation, an investigator will ensure that it is conducted in line with the guidance of this policy.
Any centre staff and learners will be informed of their rights unless, due to specific circumstances, this is not appropriate in the circumstances. Where an investigation is undertaken by GDP Global the outcome will be communicated to the relevant parties no more than 15 working days after the conclusion of the investigation and confidentiality and anonymity will be observed. Whistle blowers acting in the public interest will be protected in accordance with best practice and governing law.
Any individual alleged to be involved in malpractice will be informed of the allegation that has been made and the evidence that supports that allegation.
The individual will be given the opportunity to submit a written statement to the investigating team, and informed of the consequences should the allegation be proven.
2.2 Action following an investigation
In most investigations into suspected malpractice, decisions will be made by trained GDP members of staff but in cases of serious malpractice, the decision will be made by a third party or the appropriate accrediting body.
If malpractice is established, GDP will determine the sanction or penalty to be applied, considering the least severe sanction/penalty first.
In the event of an investigation concluding learner malpractice has occurred, consequences could include:
- Written warning with conditions
- Disqualification of the learner
- Barring learner from future registration
- Other sanctions that may be considered appropriate.
Section 3 Policy review
This policy is reviewed regularly and revisions are made in response to changes in legislation, changes in our practices, actions from our regulatory or external agencies, and / or in response to customer and stakeholder feedback.
Section 4 GDP contact and feedback
If you have any feedback or queries regarding this policy, please contact GDP’s Internal Quality Assessor by email at iqa@gdpglobal.com.
About GDP Global Development Ltd. Policy Documents
As an accredited training centre, GDP Global Ltd (GDP) has policies and procedures in place to fulfil Approval and Regulatory requirements and to provide a route map for GDP staff members, associates and learners.
The policies reflect the internal practice(s) of GDP, the purpose of which is to ensure that the staff and associates of GDP are familiar with their content and the processes involved.
The policies, procedures and guidelines are updated regularly. As an accredited learner Centre, the policy documents of GDP Global are subject to an annual review by accreditation bodies. The purpose of the review is to ascertain whether the policies, procedures and internal procedures are up-to-date and aligned to changes that have been made throughout the year.
This Policy also applies to GDP KnowHow which is a division of GDP Global Development Ltd.
Last reviewed: July 2022
