Policy Document

Malpractice and Maladministration  

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Last Review Conducted: 06.01.2025

Malpractice and Maladministration Policy

The Malpractice and Maladministration Policy provides tutors/assessors/learners with the procedures for dealing with malpractice or maladministration in any of the courses delivered.  

What is Malpractice?

For the purposes of this policy, malpractice is defined as the deliberate falsification of records and/or using unfair means during examinations, in order to obtain a qualification or certificate. Examples include:

• Claiming certification for non-active learners
• Claiming for a certificate for learners who have not undergone appropriate assessment
• Claiming for incorrect units or qualifications
• Claiming for fictitious learners
• Fraudulent learners
• Using any books, notes or other material for theory examinations
• The use of AI for any portfolio/written work
• Inappropriate handling and distribution of exam materials
• Communicating with other learners or outside sources during theory examinations.

What is Maladministration?

For the purposes of this policy, maladministration is defined as inefficient or dishonest administration; mismanagement. Examples include;

• Accidental issuing of certificates
• Delay in taking action
• Failure to investigate or provide information
• Incorrect action or failure to take action
• Misleading or inaccurate statements

Malpractice is distinguished from maladministration, which is the accidental claiming or issuing of certificates. The former is a deliberate act to deceive, and the latter is incompetence or a simple mistake.

Reporting Malpractice or Maladministration

Tutors/Assessors/learners have a responsibility to report any alleged or suspected malpractice or maladministration immediately to the centre key contact, or as soon as reasonably possible; this can be done via phone contact or via the email address Info@neptuneaquatics.co.uk.  

Neptune Aquatic Solutions will then investigate the alleged irregularities. With all suspicions/allegations or misconduct or maladministration, the awarding body will be notified. Neptune Aquatic Solutions will also indicate the proposed action and an estimated timescale for the investigation to the awarding body.

If material collected by Neptune Aquatic Solutions is confidential to the individual, such as financial details, Neptune Aquatic Solutions will ensure that this is kept secure and not disclosed to a third party. Additionally Neptune Aquatic Solutions will guarantee that a complainant’s identity will not normally be disclosed without his or her formal written agreement.

Any report of malpractice or maladministration will be sent to the ATC Co-ordinator who may refer the matter to the Board of Directors . The ATC Coordinator along with the Managing Director has the power to have learners re-assessed and suspend tutors/assessors.

Where malpractice or maladministration is proven, the Board of Directors will have the power to disqualify learners, expel tutors/assessors and take legal action (where gross malpractice is proven). Neptune Aquatic Solutions will inform the awarding body of the outcomes of procedures, will cooperate with any follow-up investigations required by the awarding body and agree on appropriate remedial action if there is evidence that certificates may be invalid.