What does good management and support of an ITQ Assessor team look like?
A key part of the ITQ Internal Verifier's role is to guide, support and ensure the continuing professional development of the ITQ Assessor team. This guidance and support is critical when:
* Assessors are new to the team or the ITQ Centre.
* When the Standards change
* Before, during and after the ITQ External Verifier visit
New Assessors and Induction
On joining an ITQ Centre, all assessors should be provided with essential information about the Centre and also asked to provide relevant records about themselves.
Items such as a copy of a current Curriculum Vitae and production of original certificates and any relevant CPD records. The ITQ Internal Verifier should view the original certificates and place a signature on photocopies of such documents. 
An induction to an ITQ centre is essential for the ITQ Internal Verifier to organise. The new assessor needs to feel welcome and equipped in order to confidently start ITQ assessing. Belinda (below) has just joined an ITQ Centre.
Use this checklist (below) to see if Belinda has been supported sufficiently in the induction process.
Induction Checklist for new assessors (MS Word document - 39 Kb) 
How does your Centre induct new staff or assessors into the team? Do you use a checklist to remember what information you need to impart? 
Listen to Linda Richardson of Bishop Auckland College talking on the phone about recruitment of ITQ assessors. 
Linda also offers her 'tip of the day' for ITQ Internal Verifiers.
Jackie Ling from Wirral Metropolitan College has some nuggets of advice to give to ITQ verifiers and assessors. "Be open-minded and encourage assessors to realise that ITQ is different and old style assessing isn't needed. We do a lot of recording MP3s or voice files but please don't ask your assessors for transcripts of what's been said. It's a waste of time. Look for diverse evidence such as photos, videos and I thoroughly recommend the use of screenshots. People want to talk about the process - use screenshots and capture their description as a sound file. We also use Professional Discussion, not just for the Mandatory Unit but wherever possible."
Tips for keeping ITQ Assessors up to date
* Provide opportunities within standardisation meetings to develop new skills or approaches.
* Carry out an observation of the assessor at least once a year- perhaps when feedback is being offered to the candidate.
* Provide feedback about how the assessor supports candidates from initial planning stage through to the final sign-off. Consider training needs.
* Encourage the development of an assessor. If an assessor still holds a D32/33 then suggest a target date to achieve A1 award. 
* Look at the use of technologies and how they can support candidates and the assessment process. Provide training and support for the assessor team so that they can become familiar with the use of the technologies.
* Look regularly at the ITQ documentation. If a re-design might be necessary engage the entire Assessor Team in the design process. Always flag up changes to your EV for approval.
* Keep updated regarding e-portfolio systems - whether training is available or advice offered online. 
* Keep aware of any changes to qualifications and standards. Make a link to the RSS feed at http://itq.e-skills.com/News can drop into your web space or browser to keep you, and your ITQ Assessor team informed.
* Tip of the day
Jackie Ling of Wirral Metropolitan College offers her advice to support assessors. "Be flexible with assessors especially if you're using online assessing. They can organise their assessing to achieve a good work/life balance. But I do recommend regular meetings, such as once a month, so standardisation can happen and queries sorted out as they arise. I'm also happy to sit with assessors and clarify or confirm as and when they need"
The ITQ External Verifier Visit
The purpose of the External Verifier visit is to approve the quality of assessment and internal verification at each ITQ Centre. Generally, two weeks prior to a visit information and updated status reports would need to be made available so that the ITQ Internal Verifier can prepare well for the meeting. The External Verifier produces a Centre Report with clear indications for improvement, where good practice is recognised and general comments.
The ITQ Internal Verifier must provide a copy of this report as feedback to the Assessors or produce a summary with key action points.
Let's consider the use of electronic evidence and e-portfolios
Last modified: 18 Jul 2008
