LEARNER APPEALS POLICY
ADAPT Qualifications is committed to fair, transparent, and consistent assessment. If you believe an assessment decision was reached incorrectly or that the assessment process was not conducted properly, you have the right to appeal.
Overview
This policy sets out the process by which ADAPT Qualifications learners may formally appeal against an assessment outcome. An appeal is not a re-assessment — it is a review of whether the assessment was conducted fairly and in accordance with ADAPT's published standards and procedures.
All appeals are handled impartially. The person who conducted the original assessment will not be involved in reviewing the appeal. ADAPT Qualifications is committed to resolving all appeals promptly and to the satisfaction of both the learner and the integrity of the qualification.
Grounds for appeal
A formal appeal may be submitted on the following grounds:
Procedural irregularity. The assessment was not conducted in accordance with ADAPT's published assessment procedures — for example, incorrect instructions were given, assessment criteria were not properly applied, or the format of the assessment differed materially from what was published.
Bias or conflict of interest. There is evidence that the assessor had a conflict of interest, or that the assessment decision was affected by factors unrelated to the learner's performance.
Mitigating circumstances not considered. The learner had a significant mitigating circumstance during the assessment (such as illness, injury, or another serious personal matter) that was not known to or considered by the assessor at the time of the decision.
Administrative error. An error was made in the recording, processing, or communication of the assessment result.
Disagreement with the assessor's professional judgement alone — where there is no procedural or factual basis for the appeal — is not sufficient grounds. ADAPT assessors apply consistent, published criteria, and their professional judgements are respected as part of a rigorous qualification process.
What can be appealed?
Written assessment results
Results from any written assessment paper forming part of an ADAPT certification course.
Practical coaching assessments
Outcomes from observed practical coaching assessments, including micro-teach evaluations.
Video submission assessments
Results from video-based assessments submitted as part of post-course requirements.
Supervised hours sign-off
Decisions relating to the acceptance or rejection of logged supervised coaching sessions.
The appeals process
Informal resolution
Before submitting a formal appeal, we encourage learners to raise their concern informally with their course Tutor or with ADAPT Qualifications directly at info@adaptqualifications.com. Many concerns can be resolved quickly at this stage without the need for a formal process.
Submit a formal appeal
If informal resolution is not possible or satisfactory, the learner must submit a formal written appeal to ADAPT Qualifications within 20 working days of receiving their assessment result. Appeals submitted after this deadline will not normally be considered unless there are exceptional circumstances.
Your appeal must include: your full name; the course, date, and location; the specific assessment decision you are appealing; the grounds for your appeal (see above); and any supporting evidence you wish to submit.
Submit your appeal by email to: appeals@adaptqualifications.com
Acknowledgement
ADAPT Qualifications will acknowledge receipt of your formal appeal within 5 working days. You will be informed of the name of the person handling your appeal and given an expected timeframe for the review.
Review
Your appeal will be reviewed by a senior member of the ADAPT Qualifications team who was not involved in the original assessment. The reviewer may request additional information from the learner or the original assessor. All assessment materials and records relevant to the appeal will be examined.
Decision
A written decision will be issued within 30 working days of the formal appeal being submitted. The decision will set out the outcome, the reasons for it, and — where the appeal is upheld — any action ADAPT Qualifications will take.
Possible outcomes include: the original decision being confirmed; the assessment being partially or fully revised; or a re-assessment being offered.
Further escalation
If you remain dissatisfied following the formal appeal decision, you may request a final review by ADAPT's Internal Verifier panel. This request must be made in writing within 10 working days of receiving the appeal decision. The Internal Verifier panel's decision is final within the ADAPT Qualifications system.
Important information
Submitting an appeal does not automatically entitle the learner to attend any subsequent course dates while the appeal is under review. Learners should discuss their individual circumstances with ADAPT Qualifications at the point of appeal submission.
ADAPT Qualifications will keep a written record of all formal appeals received, the review process followed, and the outcome reached. Records are retained in accordance with our data protection policy.
This policy applies to all ADAPT Qualifications certification courses regardless of country of delivery. Where a course is delivered in partnership with a national governing body or host organisation, this policy applies to the assessment components that fall within ADAPT's direct responsibility.