Accredited Programmes Requiring Special Measures
Programmes which are Accredited, Recognised or Endorsed[1] undergo regular professional body visits and the Universities/Institutions are required to provide regular updates on their courses prior to securing re-Accreditation, re-Recognition and re-Endorsement.
However, if at any time whilst a course is Accredited, the Educational Accreditation Committee (EAC) understands that there may be serious issues with the quality of the programme concerned, then the EAC may introduce Special Measures. The purpose of which is to support the institute offering that programme to maintain its Accreditation by ensuring that it continues to meet the quality requirements of the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences (CSFS).
Generally, the EAC will approve the implementation of Special Measures. However, if there are serious issues that need to be addressed quickly, the Chair of EAC may instigate Special Measures at an earlier stage.
Examples which merit Special Measures include:
- significant loss of staff affecting forensic delivery;
- significant loss of specialist or core resources;
- poor performance in Pre-Employment Assessment of Competence (PEAC) by candidates from the accredited course;
- continual unresolved issues at an accreditation or surveillance visit;
- potential problems identified within surveillance reports.
- Poor student examination performance as highlighted by e.g. an External Examiner Report
If Special Measures are considered necessary then a visit will generally be required to discuss the various issues with senior representatives from the programme delivery team, and the Faculty or equivalent. When the issues are discussed with the University, then if appropriate, Special Measures will be agreed with time scales. This support may involve additional visits or changes to the overall surveillance schedule and/or continued accreditation or not. The information, as is with all accreditation information, is kept confidential within the Society.
From previous experience the following agenda may be helpful during a Special Measures visit:
- Introductions – all
- Professional body – reasons for accreditation – CSFS
- University – value and benefits of accreditation – University/Institution
- Discussion of the issues which are cause for concern – all but lead by CSFS
- Introduction of Special Measures or not – CSFS (may require a private discussion of CSFS)
- Next steps in terms of actions, time schedule - all
The Special Measures information relating to specific courses would be kept confidential within the Society.
[1] For the purposes of Special Measures, all references to Accreditation include Accreditation, Recognition and Endorsement.
Download a printable version of Special Measures (Internal) document
The Special Measures (External) document can be found on the website here.
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