Job Title
Internal Quality Assurer (IQA)
Department
Quality
Reports to
Head of Quality
Location
Home based with occasional travel to team meetings, standardisation events and provider visits where required.
Purpose of the Role
The Internal Quality Assurer is responsible for maintaining and continually improving the quality of teaching, learning and assessment across Early Years apprenticeships and qualifications. Working closely with Assessors, Tutors, Team Leaders and the wider Quality Team, the IQA will ensure that assessment practice is consistent, compliant and supports outstanding learner outcomes.
The role is central to maintaining awarding organisation requirements, apprenticeship funding compliance and Swift Childcare's commitment to delivering exceptional learning experiences. The IQA will coach, support and challenge colleagues to continually improve the quality of delivery whilst promoting best practice across the business.
Key ResponsibilitiesQuality Assurance
- Carry out internal quality assurance activities in line with awarding organisation requirements and internal quality assurance strategies.
- Sample assessment decisions to ensure they are valid, authentic, sufficient, current and reliable.
- Monitor the consistency of assessment practice across all Early Years programmes.
- Ensure assessment and internal quality assurance activities meet regulatory and compliance requirements.
- Produce clear, constructive and developmental feedback following sampling activities.
- Monitor the quality of learner evidence and ensure assessment decisions are robust.
Coaching and Development
- Coach and mentor Assessors to continuously improve their assessment practice.
- Deliver supportive feedback that promotes confidence and professional growth.
- Identify development needs and contribute towards individual development plans.
- Deliver standardisation sessions to ensure consistent assessment practice across the team.
- Share best practice and encourage continuous improvement.
Compliance
- Ensure compliance with apprenticeship standards, qualification specifications and awarding organisation requirements.
- Monitor the quality and accuracy of learner records, evidence and documentation.
- Support preparations for External Quality Assurance visits and regulatory inspections.
- Ensure assessment practice aligns with ESFA funding rules and organisational policies where applicable.
Quality Improvement
- Contribute to quality improvement plans across the business.
- Analyse quality trends and identify opportunities for improvement.
- Support quality audits and contribute towards achieving outstanding learner outcomes.
- Work collaboratively with operational teams to improve learner experience and achievement.
- Promote a culture of accountability, excellence and continuous improvement.
Stakeholder Relationships
- Build positive working relationships across Operations, Quality and Compliance.
- Work collaboratively with Team Leaders and Managers to address quality concerns.
- Represent Swift Childcare professionally with awarding organisations and external stakeholders where required.
- Promote the Swift Way through every aspect of quality assurance.
Responsibilities
The IQA will be expected to:
- Maintain confidentiality and professionalism at all times.
- Keep knowledge of apprenticeship reforms, funding rules, Early Years practice and qualification requirements up to date.
- Attend team meetings, training and standardisation events.
- Support organisational projects that improve quality and learner outcomes.
- Promote safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion throughout all activities.
- Uphold Swift Childcare values and behaviours.
Person SpecificationEssential
- Qualified Internal Quality Assurer qualification or equivalent.
- Occupational competence within Early Years.
- Recent experience assessing Early Years apprenticeships and qualifications.
- Strong knowledge of apprenticeship standards and assessment practice.
- Excellent understanding of awarding organisation requirements.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong coaching and mentoring skills.
- Excellent organisational and time management skills.
- Ability to analyse quality data and identify trends.
- Confident using digital learning platforms and Microsoft Office.
- Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel where required.
Desirable
- Level 5 qualification in Leadership and Management or Education.
- Experience supporting learners with additional learning needs.
- Experience preparing for External Quality Assurance visits.
- Experience working within an Ofsted inspected Independent Training Provider.
- Knowledge of ESFA funding requirements.
- Experience delivering staff training and standardisation.
Knowledge and Skills
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- Excellent attention to detail.
- A passion for improving quality.
- Professional curiosity.
- Strong decision making skills.
- Ability to influence and coach others positively.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Commitment to continuous professional development.
- High levels of integrity and accountability.
Key Performance Indicators
- High quality and timely completion of IQA sampling.
- Consistent assessment decisions across delivery teams.
- Positive External Quality Assurance outcomes.
- Improvement in assessor quality measures.
- High learner achievement and timely completion rates.
- Compliance with awarding organisation and apprenticeship requirements.
- Delivery of regular standardisation activities.
- Positive quality audit outcomes.
What Success Looks Like
Success in this role means creating consistency, confidence and excellence across assessment practice. You will support Assessors to continually develop, ensure learners receive fair and robust assessment, and help maintain the high standards that define Swift Childcare.
You will play a key role in ensuring every learner receives an exceptional experience whilst helping Swift Childcare achieve its vision of delivering outstanding apprenticeship training that changes lives.
Our Values
- At Swift Childcare we believe in putting learners first, acting with integrity, embracing innovation, working collaboratively and striving for excellence every day. Every colleague plays a part in creating an inclusive, supportive and ambitious culture where both learners and colleagues can thrive.