ACAS is an independent body created by the British government to prevent and resolve industrial disputes. Its website provides information on the role of the organisation and a selection of ACAS publications covering a wide range of employment matters. Many of these are provided in full text and are designed to provide employers and employees with information on areas such as employment rights, sex discrimination, contracts of employment, unfair dismissal and industrial grievances.
Website of Ofqual, the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator which is the regulator of qualifications, exams and tests in England. The website includes information on the qualifications and exam system, regulation process, the accreditation of assessments, news, reports and details of their complaints system. The reports include research papers on topics such as e-assessment, GCSE and A-level exams and subject specific research. There is guidance aimed at students and parents, employers, teaching and training centres and awarding organisations.
The UK Electoral Commission is an independent statutory body which was established by the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. It is responsible for matters relating to the administration and regulation of parliamentary and local government elections in the UK. This includes the registration of political parties, maintenance of a register of their accounts, review of electoral laws and procedures and the maintenance of official information on political donations. Its website provides information on the purpose of the body and its work.
The Independent Complaints Adjudication Service for Ofsted deasl with complaints from the public about Ofsted decisions affecting them. The website provides information about the adjudicators and the adjudication process.
The Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA) for Higher Education is the body responsible for handling student complaints in England and Wales and was set up under the Higher Education Act of 2004. The site contains details about the complaints process and the range of topics that they do and do not deal with. Summaries of cases dealt with are available on the site along with annual reports and good practice guidance.
The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills (Ofsted) is a non-ministerial government department that reports directly to Parliament. It brings together four formerly separate inspectorates, including the Adult Learning Inspectorate and the Commission for Social Care Inspection. It inspects and regulates care for children and young people and education and training for learners of all ages. They provide a four yearly inspection of state funded schools in the UK, the reports of which are available online.
This section of the UK Government website provides information for disabled people on the subjects of housing, employment, education, health, transport and equal rights under the Equality Act 2010.
Website of the Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA). This regulatory organisation, set up in 1994, provides advice on and support on what is taught in schools and colleges in Northern Ireland and how it is assessed. The CCEA website contains information about the work of the organisation covering assessment of pupils at Key Stages 1, 2 and 3 and accreditation and information on the exams offered including GCSE’s. A-level’s, BTECs and Key Skills.
