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The CEEQUAL Assessment

How does a CEEQUAL Assessment work?

CEEQUAL is a self-assessment process, carried out by a trained CEEQUAL Assessor. The completed Assessment is then independently verified by a CEEQUAL-appointed Verifier based on the evidence presented for each question.

Using a copy of the applicable CEEQUAL Manual, and our Online Assessment Tool for capturing scores and evidence, the Assessor assesses and records the scores for each question relevant to the project or contract, together with details of evidence justifying the score. After verification, Award certificates are presented to all project partners at suitable events.

It is recommended that a decision to apply for a CEEQUAL Assessment is taken early in the project or contract. This way the CEEQUAL questions can drive best practice on the work and the evidence to support the scores can be compiled as work progresses. However, retrospective assessments are also possible and no less valid.

The Assessment process

The following explanation applies in principle to all Awards:

1. The organisation applying for a CEEQUAL Scheme award needs to appoint an Assessor (current staff member or contracted in); the individual is then CEEQUAL trained, if he/she is not already.
   Assessor: responsible for the self-assessment and for gathering the necessary evidence to support the scores awarded. Find out more about Assessors.
   
   
2. The Assessor will receive a copy of Handbook and the Assessment Manual upon registration. When the first instalment of the fee is paid the Project will be set up on the Online Assessment Tool.
   Online Assessment Tool: input system that records the whole assessment process, including reasons for scoping out questions, scores awarded by Assessor and Verifier's comments and amendments.
   
   
3. CEEQUAL will nominate a Verifier according to workload, availability, distance to the project and expertise relevant to the project.
   Verifier: (independent from the project) reviews the scores and supporting evidence of the Assessor, available through the assessment process to respond to technical queries of the project and sends the verified project to the Ratifier. Find out more about Verifiers.
   
   
4. Assessor sets up the scoping-out process, which usually involves a face-to-face meeting* with the Verifier. The Assessor will provide the Verifier with background information of the project in order for the Verifier to become familiar with the project. The agreed scoping-out of the questions is recorded by the Assessor in the Online Assessment Tool.
   Scoping-out process: determines the issues to be assessed and if there are any questions that are irrelevant to the project (which are then scoped out).
   *The Assessor should come to the meeting with proposals and justifications for the questions that will be scoped out, which will then be discussed with the Verifier.
   
   
5. Assessor works through the questions in the Manual, gathering necessary supporting evidence and allocating provisional scores based on the evidence available. The Assessor enters scores and evidence into the Online Assessment Tool. Verifier is available through this time for consultation by phone or email
   If no evidence can be found to match a question, no points can be scored. Partial scores for partial evidence are no possible, unless the scoring scale provides for this.
   
   
6. Once the assessment is complete and the scores have been entered into the Online Assessment Tool, together with commentary of the supporting evidence, the Verifier will then be notified that the project is ready for review.
   
   
7. The Verifier will review the scores and evidence; agree a date for a verification visit; and review a random sample of questions with their associated evidence and resolve any other queries they have. Any site visit should be used to confirm that the self-assessment has been fair and robust, and is supported by evidence both in writing and on the ground.
   Verification visit: meeting with Assessor (and any other staff that may be helpful to the verification process) in order to review any disputed evidence there might be. It is usually held on site and should not normally be any later than 4 weeks after the Verifier has received the project for review.
   
   
8. After the verification visit, the Assessor has the opportunity to provide the Verifier with any missing evidence in support of their case. The timescale (normally within two to four weeks) for this will be agreed at the Verification visit.
   
   
9. Verifier completes their review by entering their comments and scores in the Online Assessment Tool which notifies that the project is ready for ratification (normally completed within three weeks).
   
   
10. Projects receive their CEEQUAL Award based on their ratified scores.
    

The Assessment & Awards Process

The Verification Process