Who is this for: all centres that deliver qualifications that have learners that need to complete evidence using alternative methods to the LER.
Alternative evidence for assessment
While practical leadership skills are the main outcome of our qualifications, learners also need to show understanding of key knowledge areas such as planning, transferable skills, and reflection. This is captured through the Learner Evidence Record (LER).
Although the LER is designed for written evidence, learners who prefer to use more practical ways to confirm their understanding can use alternative ways of generating evidence for assessment.
Example acceptable forms of alternative evidence that can be used to support assessment decisions include:
- video or digital voice recording (learner may speak their evidence to create an audio file that can be shared with us, or they could be filmed giving their evidence, rather than writing it down);
- the tutor or other colleague providing an audio file or a video of a question and answer session or professional discussion, with the learner giving verbal evidence in response to questions asked;
- annotated photographs of evidence that has been produced during sessions (e.g. flip chart paper, posters) that provide sufficient evidence to meet requirements;
- another alternative form of evidence that allows the learner to fully meet the minimum requirements of the specification, in a format that ensures they are not disadvantaged.
Reasonable adjustments to assessment
We aim to make our qualifications accessible and flexible to the needs of all learners without the need to adjust assessment methods. However, centres can request specific changes to the format of assessment to make it accessible for learners, typically disabled learners or those with identified special education needs.
Examples of reasonable adjustment include use of a scribe, a written transcript of a question and answer session or professional discussion, the learner needing a prompt, or any other adjustment to the assessment that removes a specific barrier.
Please see our Reasonable Adjustments Policy here or speak to one of our team if you’d like further information on alternative assessment methods or reasonable adjustments.
The LER remains a mandatory document, and you must, regardless of the format your learner evidence takes, ensure that:
- your assessment decisions are recorded and dated and assessment feedback is given to the learner;
- any alternative evidence is sent to us, along with the LER, and is clearly signposted on the relevant task or worksheet.
Updated support for centres
To help you understand the opportunities surrounding alternative evidence for assessment, we’ve updated some key documentation so that it better highlights this topic. This includes:
- Updating tutor evidence guidance documents to include examples of the use of alternative evidence.
- Updating tutor resource PowerPoints to make it clear to tutors and learners where and how alternative assessment evidence can be used.
We have also published a guidance document on alternative evidence and reasonable adjustments – this is available on our Centre Guidance page.
If you’d like any further information about alternative evidence for assessment, you can speak with one of our team by emailing QA@leadershipskillsfoundation.org.
Note: centre managers must ensure that any evidence generated by learners which is intended to be used for assessment adheres to the centre’s own policies and procedures for the format of evidence presented (e.g. for safeguarding individuals in photographs and videos; sharing data with us in their role as a ‘data controller’).