1.  Dispute Resolution Process

The dispute resolution process ensures that all parties involved in the validation process have a structured, transparent, and fair mechanism for addressing disagreements over validation outcomes. Disputes may arise in various circumstances, such as:

• A Programme Team disagreeing with the conditions or recommendations set by the APQC Review Report
• A Programme Team believing that a validation outcome was based on incorrect information or misinterpretation of documentation.
• A Programme Team disputing the final decision of QQI following external review.
• QIE identifying procedural concerns that impact the fairness or validity of the outcome.

This procedure outlines the steps required to resolve disputes internally before escalation to external bodies such as QQI’s Independent Appeals Process.

1.1. Internal Resolution

Responsible: Programme Team & QIE

The first step in resolving a dispute is informal resolution between the Programme Team and QIE. The process is as follows:

• Programme Team Review
  • The Programme Team carefully reviews the Internal Review Report (IRP) or Independent Evaluation Report (IER).
  • The team documents specific concerns, including misinterpretations, factual inaccuracies, or conditions they consider excessive.
  • This must be completed within 10 working days of receiving the report.
• Consultation with QIE
  • The Programme Team schedules a formal meeting with QIE to discuss concerns.
  • If the dispute relates to factual errors in the IER, QIE liaises with the Panel Secretary to determine whether amendments are possible before finalisation.
  • If the dispute relates to conditions, QIE clarifies the reasoning behind the panel’s decision and explores solutions with the Programme Team.

Outcome:

• If QIE and the Programme Team reach an agreement, the conditions or recommendations are accepted, and the programme proceeds as normal.
• If the Programme Team remains dissatisfied, they may formally escalate the dispute to the APQC.

1.2.  Formal Appeal to APQC

Responsible: Programme Team, QIE & APQC

If the dispute is unresolved, the Programme Team submits a formal Request for Review to APQC.

• Submission of Review Request. The Programme Team submits the request to QIE, outlining:
  • The disputed findings and reasoning for disagreement.
  • Evidence supporting their appeal (e.g., alternative benchmarking data, revised programme documentation).
  • Proposed alternative solutions (e.g., revised programme structure, alternative assessment strategy).
• APQC Review Meeting
  • APQC convenes a review meeting within 15 working days of submission.
  • QIE presents an overview of the dispute.
  • The Programme Team provides additional context and justifications.
  • APQC determines one of the following outcomes:
    • Uphold the Panel Decision – The conditions/recommendations stand.
    • Modify the Decision – APQC may adjust certain conditions or allow additional flexibility.
    • Refer for Further Review – If serious concerns arise, the case is escalated to Academic Council.

1.3. Academic Council Review

Responsible: Academic Council, APQC, QIE

If APQC cannot resolve the dispute, Academic Council becomes the final internal authority on the matter.

• Escalation to Academic Council
  • If the Programme Team disagrees with APQC’s decision, they may submit a Formal Appeal to Academic Council within 5 working days of the APQC decision.
  • The appeal includes:
    • A summary of the dispute.
    • The APQC decision and reasoning.
    • Any additional supporting evidence.
• Academic Council Hearing
  • Academic Council reviews the case in consultation with QIE and APQC.
  • The Programme Team presents their case, focusing on academic, industry, and learner impact.
  • The Council assesses whether procedural errors, factual inaccuracies, or undue conditions affected the original decision.
• Final Decision by Academic Council
  • Academic Council issues a final ruling within 10 working days:
    • Uphold the decision → The programme team must comply with conditions.
    • Modify conditions → Specific changes are made to validation requirements.
    • Refer to QQI → If NCI cannot internally resolve the issue, QQI is asked to provide guidance.
• If the Programme Team still disputes the outcome, they may pursue Step 4: QQI Dispute Resolution.

1.4. QQI Dispute Resolution

Responsible: QIE, QQI

If an agreement is not reached at Academic Council, the dispute may be escalated to QQI’s Independent Appeals Process.

• Formal Submission to QQI
  • QIE submits a Formal Dispute Referral to QQI, detailing:
    • The validation process followed.
    • All conditions and modifications issued.
    • The rationale for dispute and supporting documentation.
• QQI Independent Review
  • QQI appoints an independent reviewer or appeals panel to assess the case.
  • The review focuses on:
    • Whether QQI validation criteria were correctly applied.
    • Whether the decision was fair and evidence-based.
    • Whether NCI followed due process in its internal dispute resolution.
• QQI Final Decision
  • QQI’s decision is final and binding.
  • Possible outcomes:
    • Validation Upheld → Programme Team must comply.
    • Modifications Permitted → Certain conditions may be revised.
    • Revalidation Required → If serious flaws in the process are identified, the programme may need to be resubmitted for a new validation process.

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