The Appeals Procedure provides a way for a candidate to request a review of a decision made by assessors, of any course of training or accreditation approved or examined by the Association of Cognitive Analytic Therapists. The procedure is intended for operation in a manner which is confidential, independent and respectful of the parties involved, and in as short a time as is consistent with fairness and practicality. (The terms ‘assessor’ and ‘assessment’ refer in this procedure to all assessment decisions of interviewers, supervisors and examiners).
Decisions of assessors represent their considered professional and academic judgment. In reaching their decisions they may take account of any special circumstances brought to their attention. Normally these should be made known to the assessors in advance of assessment. Where a candidate feels retrospectively that there are grounds for appeal, he or she should first explore matters and seek resolution informally with the appropriate supervisor, tutor or course leader.
2.1 exists or existed evidence or circumstances affecting the candidate’s performance, of which the assessors had not been made aware when their decision was taken
2.2 were procedural irregularities in the interview, accreditation, assessment, or examination process
2.3 is evidence of prejudice or bias or of inadequate assessment on the part of one or more of the assessors.
The scope of the procedure is limited to the review of assessor’s decisions in respect of
3.1 course admission (including decisions in respect of Accreditation of Prior Experience and/or Learning)
3.2 course procedure, administration, attendance and participation
3.3 assessment of all course work including:
• written work (including requirements to resubmit work)
• supervision reports (including requirement to repeat portions of training or practice or defer training for a specified time period
• requirements in respect of personal and professional development
3.4 decisions in respect of accreditation of all levels and kinds of training (including basic, advanced, UKCP, supervisor and trainer and accredited prior learning and experience).
The Appeals Procedure should be read where necessary in conjunction with the relevant Codes of Ethics and Practice applying to ACAT members, whether as practitioners, psychotherapists, supervisors or trainers. Where grounds for appeal might also be considered grounds for complaint using the ACAT complaints procedure the two procedures will be considered separately and have no necessary bearing upon each other.
• The Appeals Procedure is the responsibility of the Chair of the Training Division (or his or her nominated deputy) in consultation with the appropriate course leader(s) and external examiner of the course of training to which the appeal refers.
• The Chair of the Training Division may act in consultation with the Chair of the Examinations Board, or the Chair of the Ethics Panel as required and may call on two independent members of the Training Division or Examination Board to assist in deliberations.
• Should any of these parties be involved directly in the assessment and examination procedures which are the subject of the appeal or if there is any relevant conflict of interest, they will appoint an independent member of the Training Division to conduct the appeal instead.
An appeal should be lodged as promptly as possible, and no later than within two months.
6.1 Any person considering making a formal appeal is advised to have preliminary discussions with the appropriate supervisor, tutor or course leader.
6.2 Preliminary consideration and resolution of the appeal may be undertaken and noted by the course leader in consultation with the appropriate course committee and external examiner. These should take place promptly and the course leader should normally notify the candidate in writing of these preliminary considerations within a month of first enquiry.
• If the candidate wishes to make a formal appeal, an application requesting a formal review shall be submitted in writing with all supporting evidence to the Chair of the Training Division with a copy to the appropriate course leader.
• If the grounds for making the appeal relate to 2.1 above then reasons for not making this information known prior to the assessment shall be given.
• Where the information is of a confidential nature relating to personal or medical circumstances, the chair of the Training Division in consultation with the candidate shall determine the terms by which the confidential information will be disclosed during the conduct of the review.
• On receipt of a formal appeal the Chair of the Training Division in collaboration with two independent members of the Training Division will decide whether sufficient grounds for review of the assessor’s decision are established. In doing so he/she will undertake such enquires as may seem appropriate to reach a decision. 8. Conducting a Review.
• If the Chair of the Training Division finds grounds for a review he or she will conduct a review of the case in collaboration with two independent members of the Training Division and in consultation with the appropriate Course Leader and External Examiner.
• The candidate will be notified in writing of the outcome of the review as promptly as possible, and normally no later than within two months of the formal submission of the request for a review.
Published 2004
