Introduction

The aim of this policy is to protect students’ interests and to safeguard the integrity of WSET’s qualifications by ensuring compliance with policies and procedures. It provides a framework for identifying, reporting and managing any potential malpractice or mismanagement and for applying sanctions.

Non-compliance with Policies and Procedures generally falls into one of two categories:

1. Maladministration, where non-compliance is accidental and unintentional; and
2. Incorrect practices where non-compliance is intentional or the result of negligence.

Potential areas of malpractice or maladministration by an APP

• Failure to adhere to the terms of Centre Agreement or WSET Policies and Procedures
• Failure to adhere to the APP Code of Conduct
• Failure to report changes in ownership, personnel, location, facilities.
• Denial of access to information, documentation, workforce, facilities.
• Failure to carry out course or assessment delivery in accordance with WSET Awards requirements
• Failure to adhere to WSET Award´s candidates’ registration and certification procedures.
• Late student registration
• Fraudulent claim, use, reproduction, or forgery of WSET certificates
• Withholding information from WSET Awards which is critical to maintain the rigour of quality assurance.
• Inadequate and insecure storage of assessment materials
• Breach of confidentiality
• Any other action likely to lead to an adverse effect,
• Failure to disclose any conflict of interest.
• Issue of incorrect exam results, failure to issue results to students in a timely manner.
• Unauthorised reading, amendment, copying, distribution of exam papers
• Failure to respond to WSET Awards in a timely manner.
• Failure to return examination papers within the specified timeframe or to follow delivery and tracking regulations.
• Use of unqualified and/or unregistered educators or internal assessors.
• Misleading advertising or publicity.

Potential areas of malpractice or maladministration by a student or candidate

• Submission of false or inaccurate information to gain a qualification.
• Cheating, including sue of unauthorized devices or materials.
• Disruptive behaviour during an examination
• Plagiarism of any nature by students
• Impersonation including forgery of signatures.
• Breach of confidentiality
• Any other action likely to lead to an adverse effect,
• Failure to disclose any conflict of interest.
• Unauthorised reading, amendment, copying, distribution of exam papers
• Denial of access to information or documentation required by WSET Awards.

Southside Bartending is a serious provider of WSET courses who aims for excellence in all the services we provide.  We are fully committed to offering a professional, quality driven services and adhering to the strict rules and regulations set out by WSET Awards.

In case a Student fails to comply with policies and procedures sanctions may be applied to them including a written warning, exam results being declared null and void, disqualification from a qualification or ultimately being disqualified from participating in any future courses or assessments leading to WSET qualifications.

All Malpractice and maladministration notifications should be submitted by email to [email protected] and should include:

1. A detailed account of the circumstances surrounding the suspicions and allegations.
2. Details of any consequential actions or investigations
3. Details of any procedures followed to inform staff/students of the consequences of bad practice and maladministration.
4. Any unauthorised material found during the evaluation.
5. Written declarations signed and dated by any individuals involved.

Southside Bartending will report immediately to WSET if it notifies any problem of non-compliance or if it receives such information from candidates or any other person. The notification will be made by phone or by mail to [email protected]

If the incident of non-compliance occurs during a WSET examination, the Examiner will notify WSET by submitting the Practice Notification Form.

Any applicant, educator, invigilator has the right to appeal any decision taken against them using the Complaints Policy.