My RLSS UK Welcome to My RLSS UK, an online area dedicated to providing our qualification holders, members, stakeholders, and supporters with easy access to the latest industry safety guidance, policies, resources, and opportunities. As well as providing specialist information, the area signposts you to relevant services and features within your RLSS UK Account. Every individual, organisation, club, branch, and group in our community is invaluable to us, and we endeavour to provide solutions and added value wherever possible in the hope that you will become a lifelong ambassador of the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK). Together, we can work towards the Charity's mission to be the leader in lifesaving and lifeguarding in the UK and Ireland. By sharing our combined expertise and knowledge with as many people as possible, we can provide everyone with the potential to save lives and enjoy water safely. 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Your Account Log In Activate Guides, Tutorials & FAQs Find My Certificate Course Management Support Services Your Membership Choose your Membership Accessing Member Benefits Renewing Membership Reward and Recognition Governance and AGM Guidance Industry Guidance RLSS UK Policies Branches Clubs Safeguarding Equality, diversity and inclusion Qualifications Our Qualifications Become an Approved Training Centre / Provider ATC/ATP and TA Support PTA Support Reasonable Adjustments and Special Considerations Quality Assurance & Audit requests Training Industry Qualifications Online Learning (CPD) Ongoing Training Finder Renewal TA Opportunities and Updates Ongoing Training Platform Support Us Volunteering Opportunities Fundraising Support How to Donate 1891 Life Fellows Send an eCard Charity Lottery Recycling for Good Causes Conflicts of Interest Policy Contents Introduction Definitions of a Conflict of Interest Examples Conflict of interest register RLSS UK Qualifications Responsibilities Actions that could be taken Approved Training/Centre/Provider Responsibilities Non-disclosure of conflict of interest Contact Details Introduction This Policy sets out how RLSS UK Qualifications identifies, manages, and monitors existing or perceived conflicts of interest. It also provides guidance to all those involved with the design, delivery, awarding, internal quality assurance, and participation of RLSS UK Qualifications regulated and non-regulated awards and qualifications. Definitions of a Conflict of Interest For the purpose of this policy, we have adopted the definition used by the regulatory authorities in relation to conflicts of interest. Conflict of Interest A conflict of interest exists in relation to an awarding organisation where: (a) its interests in any activity undertaken by it, on its behalf, or by a member of its group have the potential to lead it to act contrary to its interests in the development, delivery, and award of qualifications in a way that complies with its Conditions of Recognition (b) a person who is connected to the development, delivery, or award of qualifications by the awarding organisation has interests in any other activity which have the potential to lead that person to act contrary to his or her interests in that development, delivery or award in a way that complies with the awarding organisation’s Conditions of Recognition, or (c) an informed and reasonable observer would conclude that either of these situations was the case. Personal Interest A personal interest is a conflict of interest that relates to a particular individual. All conflicts of interest that fall under part (b) of the definition above are personal interests, as are any perceived conflicts of interest under part (c) that relate to individuals, rather than to the awarding organisation itself. A personal interest can be financial or non-financial in nature. Hence, in any circumstances where there is a personal interest in an assessment, the Approved Training Centre/Provider (ATC/P), trainers, assessors, mentors, and internal quality assurers must make RLSS UK Qualifications aware at the earliest opportunity. All our ATC/P’s, trainers, assessors, mentors, and internal quality assurers must ensure they take all reasonable steps to avoid any part of the assessment of a candidate being undertaken by any person who has a personal interest in the result of the assessment. Interests in Assessments Ofqual’s general conditions also requires that all reasonable steps must be taken to avoid any part of an assessment of a candidate to be undertaken by someone who has a personal interest in the result of the assessment. The condition requires that where all reasonable steps have been taken, and an assessment by someone with a personal interest cannot be avoided, the awarding organisation must make arrangements for the relevant part of the assessment to be subject to scrutiny by another person. Examples It is not possible to provide a definitive list of examples of conflicts of interest, but the following are examples of situations that could lead to actual or perceived conflicts of interest. Examples of where personal interest conflicts may be present and must be avoided include: Where the person carrying out an assessment, investigation, internal quality assurance check or appeal has any reason or incentive to make anything other than a good faith decision. A person conducting an alleged malpractice investigation has a personal relationship to the candidate accused of malpractice. A person may receive an incentive because of the number of appeals they uphold or reject. Examples of where a conflict may occur within an Approved Training Centre/Provider: Where staff and third parties that have access to confidential assessment information also have roles in teaching or assessing candidates in the subject area. Where staff and third parties that have access to confidential assessment information have a family member or friend who is due to take those assessments. Where employment, monetary gain, gifts, or hospitality could be gained from a favourable decision made. Where an RLSS UK Qualifications staff member/Internal Quality Assurer has a professional interest in an RLSS UK Qualifications recognised ATC/P. Where an assessment and internal quality assurance activity is undertaken by the same person. Where an individual carries out a role or responsibility and carries out a similar role or responsibility with a competing organisation. Where a contract does not include a confidentiality clause, and the individual is involved in authorising or delivering assessments. Further examples can be found within the General Conditions of Recognition located here. RLSS UK Qualifications Responsibilities All those involved with the design, delivery, awarding, internal quality assurance, and participation of RLSS UK Qualifications regulated and non-regulated awards and qualifications must be aware of how to identify existing or potential conflict and, where applicable, mitigate identified conflicts appropriately. RLSS UK Qualifications does this by: Taking all reasonable steps to avoid candidates being assessed by anyone with a personal interest in the outcome of the assessment. Where this is unavoidable, we will ensure that any part of the assessment which is conducted is scrutinised by an independent Internal Quality Assurer who has no personal interest in the outcome of the assessment. Complying with our published Conflict of Interest Policy and ensuring the policy is communicated to all relevant persons involved in the design, delivery, awarding, internal quality assurance, external quality assurance, and participation of our awards and qualifications. Maintaining an up-to-date record of internal and external conflicts of interest (relating to RLSS UK Qualifications board members, staff, and any third party involved in the design, delivery, awarding, internal quality assurance and participation of our awards and qualifications). Taking all reasonable steps to mitigate any adverse effect. Report any actual or potential adverse effects to the relevant regulator within the specified time frame, where applicable. Responding to any request from a regulator in relation to conflicts of interest. Record and monitor gifts and hospitality offered to RLSS UK Qualifications staff and board members worth over £100.00. New and existing RLSS UK Qualifications board members, staff, and contractors have a responsibility to declare any existing and/or potential conflicts of interest that may impact how they carry out their roles. All board members, staff and contractors are required to submit a declaration upon appointment, and then annually, containing full details of all potential or identified conflicts which will be reviewed by the RLSS UK Compliance Team. If the circumstances relating to any declared conflict of interest change at any stage, individuals are required to provide updated details to ensure records held by us are current and accurate. Actions that could be taken Most situations require no further action than the completion of the conflict of interest declaration form. In some instances, however, the information declared on the form will require some follow up action for the conflict of interest to be managed appropriately. The approach agreed by the ATC/P or trainer assessor should be documented and held with the conflict of interest declaration. Examples of actions could include: An individual not taking part in discussions or decisions of certain matters. Referring certain matters for decision to others with no vested interest. Agreeing not to be involved in a particular project or with a particular ATC/P. Declaring an interest when it is appropriate to do so. Referring the matter to the RLSS UK Compliance Team for advice and guidance. Approved Training Centre/Provider Responsibilities An Approved Training Centre/Provider must comply with this Conflict of Interest Policy. They must also ensure that: They are aware of and fully understand the information contained within this policy. They take all reasonable steps to avoid or mitigate any potential conflicts. All staff understand what a conflict of interest is and what measures are in place to mitigate against it. They maintain a record of potential conflicts and what measures they have put in place to mitigate against them. Update records as and when necessary. They contact [email protected] in any instance where a conflict of interest may potentially cause an adverse effect or if they are unsure and need guidance. It is not possible to provide a definitive list of examples of conflicts of interest that an ATC/P, trainer or assessor may face. However, some of the more common examples with course delivery, assessments, or internal quality assurance and how to mitigate against the conflict have been detailed below: Common examples and how to mitigate against the conflict Conflict Mitigation Trainer assessor is related to the candidate (for trainer-assessed qualifications) An alternative trainer assessor must be sought or after exhausting all options, a suitably qualified independent person must carry out a face-to-face IQA Trainer and assessor work at the same venue (for independently assessed qualifications) An alternative Assessor should be sought or after exhausting all options, a suitably qualified independent person must carry out a detailed IQA Trainer and assessor/ mentor have worked at the same venue within the last 3 months (for independently assessed qualifications) An alternative Assessor should be sought or after exhausting all options, a suitably qualified independent person must carry out a detailed IQA A mentor for the presenting trainer or assessor has a personal relationship with a candidate. Contact [email protected] Every effort should be made to source an alternative mentor A candidate on a course has or is being employed by the assessor/venue following the completion of the qualification An alternative Assessor should be sought or after exhausting all options contact [email protected] for further guidance Where two candidates are trainer assessors, they self-present and assess each other. An alternative assessor should be sought who has no personal relationship with the candidates Or after exhausting all options, contact [email protected] for further guidance The Internal Quality Assurer has a personal relationship with a candidate being assessed Or The Internal Quality Assurer has delivered training to a candidate that is being assessed. An alternate suitably qualified independent person should be sought to carry out the Internal Quality Assurance check A mentor for the probationary presenting trainer has a personal relationship with the independent assessor An alternative assessor should be sought who has no personal relationship with the mentor Or after exhausting all options, contact [email protected] for further guidance A mentor for the probationary assessor has a personal relationship with the presenting trainer An alternative mentor should be sought who has no personal relationship with the presenting trainer Or after exhausting all options, contact [email protected] for further guidance Internal Quality Assurer has a personal relationship with the trainer or assessor Contact [email protected] for further guidance In all instances where the ATC/P, trainer, or assessor has put measures in place these should be recorded as detailed within this policy. If we receive notice of a conflict that has been unsuitably managed, we may contact you to discuss this, and in some instances advise the candidates need to be retrained/assessed. Non-disclosure of Conflict of Interests If an actual or perceived conflict of interest is found not to have been disclosed, then RLSS UK Qualifications will consider the appropriateness of an investigation under its Malpractice and Maladministration Policy. Contact Details Contact Details Last updated: November 2024 Manage Cookie Preferences