Self Evaluation of Programmes & Services: HCT is committed to the ongoing improvement of its training provision. HCT will regularly self evaluate its programmes, engage with all stakeholders in so doing and identify strengths and areas for improvement. A Programme Improvement Plan will prioritise areas for programme enhancement. Thus, HCT will optimise the training experience for learners and ensure the ongoing relevance of its programmes.

Programme Development, Delivery & Review: HCT is committed to engage best practice in the development, delivery and review of all its training provision. The aim is to maximise the training experience for learners and to ensure the continued relevance of programme content.

Staff Recruitment & Development: It is the policy of HCT to ensure that staff, selected for the development and delivery of programmes and services, are suitably qualified and that staff have access to appropriate supports and professional development opportunities. HCT has a formal systematic approach to the recruitment and further professional development of all staff.

Alleged Compromise of Integrity of Assessment : Plagiarism is where another person’s writings or ideas or works, in any formally presented work ( including projects, examinations or presentations) which form part of the assessment requirements for a module or programme of study without due acknowledgement either wholly or in part of the original source.   The same applies to any form of copies of work from other learners or work copied given from tutors.

Plagiarism is a form of academic dishonesty where ideas are presented falsely as being the original thought of the author and is taken extremely seriously by HCT.  All learners are responsible for being familiar with HCT’s policy on plagiarism and are encouraged if in any doubt to contact us directly.

Any alleged instances of plagiarism will be examined thoroughly by HCT to establish the facts and relative context of the alleged offence taking into account the nature and extent of the plagiarism and penalties will apply where plagiarism is confirmed to have taken place.

All assignments will have a plagiarism declaration which indicates that the work presented is that of the learners, these are found in the Assignment Brief and also on the Assignment Receipt Form.

Where an Internal verifier detects a suspected instance of plagiarism in a student’s assignment or examination the following will apply:

1. HCT will complete an Alleged Compromise of Integrity of Assessment Report Form.
2. The learner or learner representative is contacted directly and the learner is given an opportunity to dispute the allegation.
3. A review and discussion of the situation by Management will take place.
4. The following programme of action may be followed:
5. Discussion directly with the learner on the issue.  The learner is then required to resubmit their assignment.
6. The learner will not be submitting an assignment for the programme in discussion.

HCT Policy on Repeat Exams

1. The decision to allow learners to re sit exams or resubmit assignments is at the discretion of HCT.
2. If a learner needs to repeat an exam or re submit an assignment HCT will charge an administration fee of €50 for this service.  This may result in postponement of Certification until the next submission date.

Data Protection Policy: It is the policy of HCT to ensure that it is compliant at all times with the 8 legal responsibilities as laid out in the Data Protection Act as follows:

Obtain and process the information fairly.
Keep it only for one or more specified and lawful purposes.
Process it only in ways compatible with the purposes for which it was given to you initially.
Keep it safe and secure.
Keep it accurate and up-to-date.
Ensure that it is adequate, relevant and not excessive.
Retain it no longer than is necessary for the specified purpose or purposes.
Give a copy of his/her personal data to any individual, on request.

HCT will collect a number of different methods of feedback during and after each programme, this is to ensure that improvements are met and achieved.

Tutors Mid Programme Monitoring Review Report: Tutors must agree to complete this form with HCT in order to ensure that FETAC SLO’s are being met and that any issues or problems are identified before the end of the programme. 

Client Mid Programme Monitoring Review Report: HCT will carry out Client Mid programme monitoring reports as part of all programmes, these reports facilitate in developing HCT programmes.

Mid Programme Review: All learners must complete a Mid Programme Evaluation Form.  Tutors are requested to ensure that this form is completed correctly and in full with valid and relevant comments on improvement etc.  This form must be returned to HCT mid way through the programme to ensure that HCT can review the learner comments and make deliver on any recommendations or deal with any issues that may have arisen.

Learner/Tutor Feedback: Meetings that take place with the tutor and learners during a training programme is to be documented using the HCT standard meeting form.

Client End of Programme Feedback: At the end of each programme HCT contacts the client for feedback this is to ensure continues development of programmes.

End of Programme Review: HCT requires that all tutors attend an end of programme meeting with the HCT Training Coordinator.  All remaining paperwork should be submitted at this stage along with any assignments.

The purpose of this meeting is to highlight any issues or problems and to discuss the development and improvement of the programme going forward so as to ensure consistent improvement in programme delivery etc.

Post Programme Feedback: It is the policy of HCT to ensure that individual learners receive timely and constructive feedback on their assignment.  Learners will receive a provisional results letter once External Verification has been carried out.  On receipt of this letter learners have 2 weeks to appeal their result.

End Programme Learner Feedback

All learners are required to complete the End of Programme Feedback Form.  HCT requests that tutors ensure these forms are completed in full with relevant suggestions and remarks.

Participant Feedback of Assessment: 6 – 8 weeks after learners have received their results HCT will contact them with a request for feedback on the assessment process

Programme Review: Programme reviews will take place throughout the year, tutors deemed experts in their chosen subject will be required to attend a meeting with HTC to review and improve programme content and assessment.

Attendance: HCT recommend that learners attend 100% of timetabled programme dates.  It is preferable that a learner contact HCT in the event that they cannot attend a programme.

Training Appeals Procedures: Learners can appeal their final approved result of their programme, when they are dissatisfied with their assessment outcome, within 14 days of receiving their result. Details of the HCT appeals procedures are contained in learners training manual. There is an appeals fee of €25.00 per module.

Reasonable Accommodation Policy: HCT will facilitate learners who may need extra support/resources.  Learners can request extra support by completing HCT “Reasonable Accommodation Request Form” and returning to HCT.

All reasonable accommodation will be dealt with in the strictest of confidence.

Sub-contracting/Procuring Programme Delivery: It is the policy of HCT to sub contract programme delivery. In so doing, responsibilities and communication lines will be clearly defined between HCT management and the contracted tutor. In addition, HCT will retain responsibility for the quality of programmes and will ensure learners are aware of HCT’s ownership of and responsibility for the programme offered.

Protection for Learners: It is the policy of HCT to ensure appropriate arrangements are in place for the protection of learners, where this applies. Consequently, PFL arrangements will be in place, further to Section 43 of the Qualifications Act 1999, when programmes of 3 months duration or more are offered on a commercial basis. Learners will be aware of such arrangement where they apply.

Fair & Consistent Assessment of Learners: HCT is committed to ensuring that all assessment practices are fair and transparent, clearly understood, in line with the award’s assessment requirements and national standards, and consistent in implementation across all assessors. HCT is fully committed to Internal Verification, External Authentication and Results Approval.

Access, Transfer & Progression: It is the policy of HCT to provide comprehensive programme information on Access, Transfer & Progression to all stakeholders. The organisation engages fair, systematic and transparent entry arrangements, acknowledges prior learning for entry, where appropriate, and provides reasonable accommodations towards facilitating individual needs, without compromising the award standard.

Equality: HCT is committed to equal opportunities for all stakeholders. Job or trainee applicants will not be discriminated against on the grounds of gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, religious belief, age, disability, race or membership of the travelling community. All staff and learners are briefed on the centre’s equality and diversity positions at induction.