Reasonable Adjustments
DAIS-POL-012
Special Considerations and Reasonable Adjustments Policy
Data and AI School of London, NCFE Approved Centre
Policy Owner: Access Arrangements Coordinator
Version: 1.0 | Date: April 2026 | Review: April 2027
NCFE Risk Level: High
Mode of Delivery: Fully Online
12.1 Purpose and Scope
This policy ensures that learners with a disability, learning difficulty, or who experience adverse circumstances at the time of assessment are not unfairly disadvantaged. It operates in compliance with NCFE's Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments Policy and the JCQ A Guide to the Special Consideration Process.
12.2 Reasonable Adjustments
A reasonable adjustment is a change to the way in which an assessment is delivered or submitted, to enable equitable access. Adjustments must not give the learner an unfair advantage or compromise assessment integrity. Examples for the online context:
Additional time allowance for timed online assessments
Use of screen-reading software or text-to-speech tools
Submission in an alternative format (e.g. audio recording instead of written text)
Adjusted font size or colour contrast settings within the assessment platform
More frequent short breaks during longer assessments
Access to a spellchecker for learners with dyslexia, where permitted by the qualification specification
12.3 Applying for a Reasonable Adjustment
1. Learner notifies the Access Arrangements Coordinator at enrolment or as soon as the need arises.
2. Learner provides appropriate evidence of their need (e.g. educational psychologist report, medical letter, or confirmed diagnosis).
3. Learner completes the Reasonable Adjustments Request Form on the VLE.
4. The Coordinator assesses the request and, where approved, records it using JCQ Form VQ/IA.
5. The adjustment is communicated to the learner's assessor and IQA.
6. Adjustments requiring prior NCFE approval are submitted by the Examinations Officer.
12.4 Technology-Related Adjustments
All assessment platforms are tested for compatibility with assistive technology before adoption. Where a learner's primary device is incompatible with a required platform, the centre will explore alternative access arrangements. Persistent internet disruption during a controlled assessment is treated as grounds for special consideration (see 12.5).
12.5 Special Consideration
Special consideration is applied after the assessment to acknowledge that a learner's performance was adversely affected by circumstances beyond their control. Grounds for the online context include:
Recent bereavement or serious illness
Physical injury affecting the ability to complete an assessment
A significant technical failure (e.g. internet outage, platform crash) during a timed online assessment
Extreme personal or domestic circumstances
Learners must notify the Examinations Officer as soon as possible after the assessment, using the Special Consideration Application Form on the VLE, supported by evidence where reasonably obtainable. The Examinations Officer submits the application to NCFE using JCQ procedures.
12.6 Record Keeping
All reasonable adjustment applications, approvals, and outcomes are recorded on the learner's digital record and available to the IQA and NCFE EQA. Records are retained for a minimum of 3 years.
This policy is reviewed annually. Next review: April 2027. Approved by: Head of Centre. © Data and AI School of London, April 2026. NCFE Approved Centre.