TESS Group - Apprenticeship Training Provider
TESS Group is committed to ensuring that all apprentices and learners, regardless of need or circumstance, have fair access to qualifications and the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and understanding. This policy outlines our approach to reasonable adjustments and special consideration for apprentices and learners who may require additional support.
SEND stands for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. This policy applies to apprentices and learners who have identified needs, whether related to disability, learning difficulty, medical condition, or other factors that may affect their ability to access training or assessment in standard format.
This policy aligns with the SEND Code of Practice 2015 and the duties set out in the Children and Families Act 2014 and Equality Act 2010, which require providers to make reasonable adjustments to ensure disabled people are not substantially disadvantaged.
TESS Group operates within the following legal framework:
A reasonable adjustment is an action taken, before or during training and assessment, to reduce the impact of a disability, learning difficulty, or other barrier to learning. A reasonable adjustment must not affect the reliability, validity, or integrity of the assessment itself.
Extended time allowance for examination or assessment completion (e.g., 25%, 50% additional time)
Separate, quieter assessment room to reduce distractions or allow breaks
Use of permitted assistive software, voice recognition, or text-to-speech tools
Coloured filters to ease visual processing difficulties such as dyslexia or visual stress
Independent person to read questions or write answers on the learner's behalf
Interpreter to support learners who are deaf or have hearing impairment
Assessment materials in larger font or Braille
Assessment delivered or available in audio form
Simplified language or modified wording where this does not affect assessment validity
Permitted digital tools to support accessibility and learning
SEND needs are ideally identified before or at the point of enrolment. We gather information through:
Once needs are identified, they are maintained and monitored throughout the apprenticeship to ensure adjustments remain appropriate and effective. This is managed by the designated SEND lead and monitored through our management information systems.
TESS Group operates an open recruitment process and does not exclude applicants based on disability or additional needs, provided they can demonstrate the potential to achieve the apprenticeship with reasonable adjustment. Our recruitment process includes:
Special consideration is a post-assessment allowance for apprentices and learners who have experienced temporary, exceptional circumstances at the time of assessment that may have affected their performance. Special consideration acknowledges that external factors (illness, bereavement, accident, trauma) may have temporarily disadvantaged the learner.
Special consideration may be granted for circumstances including but not limited to:
Applications for special consideration must be supported by appropriate evidence such as medical letters, death certificates, accident reports, or other documentation. Self-certification for minor illness is not sufficient; professional evidence is required.
Applications for special consideration must be:
TESS Group cannot grant special consideration independently. Special consideration decisions are made solely by the Awarding Organisation or End-Point Assessment Organisation. Our role is to:
The Awarding Organisation or EPAO will review the application and provide a decision within 10 working days. Outcomes can include:
If a special consideration application is declined, learners have the right to appeal the Awarding Organisation's or EPAO's decision. Information on how to lodge an appeal will be provided with the outcome letter.
Where a learner's work is lost, damaged, or cannot be marked due to circumstances beyond their control, consideration can be requested under the AO/EPAO's procedures. TESS Group will support the learner in documenting the issue and submitting any necessary applications.
TESS Group takes seriously its responsibility to ensure that reasonable adjustments and special consideration are applied fairly and in accordance with Awarding Organisation regulations. Failure to follow correct procedures or allowing adjustments that compromise assessment integrity could result in malpractice findings and sanctions against TESS Group.
All staff involved in assessment are trained on the correct application of adjustments and the importance of maintaining assessment integrity.
Apprentices and learners with identified SEND needs have access to:
All information relating to SEND needs, medical conditions, and adjustments is handled confidentially and in accordance with data protection legislation (UK GDPR, Data Protection Act 2018). Information is:
TESS Group regularly reviews this policy and practices to ensure:
This policy is reviewed annually and updated as necessary to reflect changes in guidance, legislation, or best practice.
Last Updated: March 2026 | Next Review: March 2027