Malpractice and Maladministration Policy

Company Policies

Nicholas Hill Academy Ltd operates to a five-star standard, and has no recorded cases of malpractice or maladministration. Even so, this policy ensures Clients and Participants know how concerns are handled should evidence ever arise. By investigating every allegation fairly, protecting assessment integrity, and correcting any proven issues, we safeguard the credibility of our Products. This supports our mission to deliver reliable, high-quality training and upholds our vision of a respected, dependable academy.

Definitions

Company: means Nicholas Hill Academy Ltd of which company number 6613294
Staff: means an employee or representative of the Company
Client: means a Company client or a user of the Products
Participant: means a participant of Company courses, programmes, workshops, seminars, keynotes
Training: means training courses, programmes, workshops, seminars, keynotes
Product: means all Company products and services supplied, including those chargeable, complimentary, digital, and physical

Purpose

The Company works to a five-star standard of excellence, practising integrity and professionalism in all its activities. The Company trains Clients and Participants in efficient business administration strategies and best practices. Furthermore, it applies these principles in-house. However, in the unlikely event the Company should be guilty of malpractice or maladministration, this policy is for Clients and Participants with sufficient evidence of such cases. The policy also outlines how the Company will investigate and manage these matters.

Consequences

The Company considers malpractice and maladministration as unacceptable activities which could jeopardise the following:

The Client and Participant assessment procedure
The legitimacy of an assessment
The legitimacy of an outcome or certification
The notoriety and standing of assessors
The certification of governing bodies

Maladministration

The Company strives to prevent maladministration and considers it as an unacceptable act. Examples include the following:

Failure to input accurate Client and Participant records into its CRM following receipt
Failure to hold up-to-date financial records
Failure to properly manage financial accounts
Failure to inform Participants of preliminaries before Training delivery
Failure to post hardcopy materials to Participants before Training commencement
Failure to investigate Training venues before booking
Failure to follow ILM registration and certification procedures
Failure to respond to Client and Participant queries and concerns within a reasonable time frame
Continual postponement of Training delivery

Malpractice

The Company strives to prevent malpractice and considers it as an unacceptable act. Examples include the following:

Failure to comply with external assessor prerequisites
Manipulating enrolment and certification procedures
Fraudulent claims for certification
Allowing conspiracy in assessments
Issuing certificates before meeting assessment criteria
Plagiarism by Participants or Staff
Copying from another Participant

Accusations

Accusers making a charge of malpractice or maladministration may wish to conceal their identity. In all instances, the Company will protect the accuser’s identity where possible. However, accusers must incorporate the following for the Company to conduct any investigations:

The full facts of the accusation
The Accuser’s contact details
The Client’s contact details
The Participant’s contact details
The respective Product details

Investigations

The Company will expeditiously investigate every case of maladministration or malpractice to assess the facts. The Company’s managing director will oversee the investigation and audit any supporting confirmation. The Company means to complete the investigation within 28 days of receipt of the accusation. If the Company cannot rectify cases within this period, it will request an extension or may appoint external mediators who will act accordingly. In doing so, the Company will provide records and supporting evidence. If it believes necessary, the Company will advise the appropriate authorities if it expects that there has been an occurrence of malpractice or maladministration.

Procedures

The Company will lead all investigations reasonably, legally, and objectively assessing all evidence as follows:

Examine the facts
Identify the cause
Ascertain any damage
Conduct disciplinary procedures if required
Take remedial action if required
record all disciplinary and remedial actions taken
install measures to prevent possible reoccurrences

Legal

If investigations involve legal action, then the Company will do the following:

Keep investigation evidence secure
Hold case records on file until the conclusion of court hearings
Cooperate with accusers in a way that it deems appropriate and reasonable
Suspend Staff accused of malpractice or maladministration from certain duties until the conclusion of court hearings
Keep stakeholders informed of relevant updates about the case if appropriate

Conclusions

Subject to confidentiality, the Company will report the conclusions to the respective parties within 28 days after an investigation whereby malpractice or maladministration is proven. The information will include the following:

Identify how, where, and when malpractice or maladministration occurred
Confirm the facts of the case
Confirm any disciplinary and remedial actions taken

Action

If the investigations affirm that malpractice or maladministration has occurred, then the Company will do the following:

Update its processes to prevent repeat occurrences
Educate Staff in best practice and administration
Discourage Staff from malpractice and maladministration
Remove advantages for malpractice or maladministration

Queries

If Clients and Participants have queries regarding this policy, they can contact the Company by emailing www.nicholashill.com/contact, calling +44 (0)345 678 9900, or writing to:

Managing Director

Nicholas Hill Academy Ltd

The Mount

72 Paris Street

Exeter

Devon

EX1 2JY

England

United Kingdom