Much of QAA's work is developed and conducted through consultation with a wide range of stakeholders and the HE sector. We follow best practice in our policy on consultations. We seek to meet the following expectations.
1 Timing of consultation should be built into the planning process for policy development from the start, so that it has the best prospect of improving the proposals concerned, and so that sufficient time is left for it at each stage. The timing of consultation will take account of the time of year.
2 It should be clear who is being consulted, about what questions, in what timescale and for what purpose.
3 A consultation document should be as simple and concise as possible. It should include a summary, normally no more than two pages, of the main questions it seeks views on. It should make it as easy as possible for readers to respond, make contact or complain.
4 Documents should be made widely available, with the fullest use of electronic means (though not to the exclusion of others), and effectively drawn to the attention of all interested groups and individuals.
5 Sufficient time should be allowed for considered responses from all groups with an interest. Depending on the nature and urgency of the proposal, eight to 12 weeks should normally be allowed for a consultation.
6 Responses should be carefully and open-mindedly analysed, and the results made widely available - through, for example, higher quality, the website, conferences, seminars - with an account of the views expressed, and reasons for decisions finally taken.
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