Malpractice Policy

1. Purpose

1.1 The purpose of this policy is to outline Mums in Science Ltd’s processes and procedures for identifying, reporting, and investigating any activity or practice that contravenes our regulations, compromises the integrity of our assessment processes, or undermines the validity of any certifications or accreditations we provide.

1.2 This policy demonstrates our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, ensuring that all participants, staff, and stakeholders can trust the legitimacy and fairness of our assessments and certifications.

2. Scope

2.1 This policy applies to:

All staff, assessors, contractors, volunteers, and individuals involved in delivering, organizing, or supervising assessments or certification-related activities under the auspices of Mums in Science Ltd.
All learners, attendees, candidates, or participants taking part in assessments, training, or events leading to a certificate, accreditation, or credential from Mums in Science Ltd.

2.2 It covers any alleged or proven malpractice, including but not limited to:

Plagiarism, fraud, or unethical conduct.
Collusion or collaboration to gain an unfair advantage.
Deliberate falsification of records, certificates, or results.
Unauthorized access to confidential assessment materials or data.

3. Definitions

Malpractice: Any activity, intentional or reckless, which compromises or attempts to compromise the integrity of an assessment process and/or the validity of resulting certifications.
Assessment Process: The formal procedures and criteria through which Mums in Science Ltd delivers and evaluates training, tests, or other activities leading to certification or accreditation.
Candidate: An individual seeking or undergoing assessment leading to a certificate or accreditation from Mums in Science Ltd.

4. Guiding Principles

4.1 Integrity: We uphold the highest level of honesty and fairness in all aspects of assessment and certification.
4.2 Transparency: Any malpractice allegations will be documented and investigated promptly, with fair treatment of all parties involved.
4.3 Confidentiality: We will treat all reports of malpractice and related investigations as confidential, sharing information only as necessary.
4.4 Accountability: Individuals found to engage in malpractice may face disciplinary actions, penalties, or other sanctions as outlined in this policy.

5. Possible Examples of Malpractice

Plagiarism: Presenting another’s work or ideas as one’s own without proper acknowledgment.
Collusion: Unauthorized cooperation between individuals to gain an undue advantage in an assessment.
Fabrication of Evidence: Deliberately altering or inventing data, records, or results.
Unauthorized Access: Gaining access to confidential assessment materials or tampering with official documents.
Impersonation: Falsely claiming to be a candidate or facilitating such behavior to influence an assessment outcome.

6. Reporting Malpractice

6.1 Reporting Channels:

Any suspicion or allegation of malpractice must be reported in writing to Dr Shara Cohen (CEO), or via the dedicated malpractice reporting email: contact [@] mumsinscience.net

6.2 Initial Review:

Upon receiving a report, the designated officer (e.g., Quality Assurance Manager or a senior staff member) will log the complaint and conduct a preliminary review to determine if there is sufficient evidence for a formal investigation.

7. Investigation Process

7.1 Formal Investigation:

A designated investigator or panel, independent of the alleged malpractice incident, will gather evidence, interview relevant parties, and review documentation.
The investigation aims to be thorough, fair, and transparent, maintaining confidentiality and respecting the rights of the accused and the accuser.

7.2 Temporary Measures:

If necessary, the candidate or staff member alleged to have committed malpractice may be temporarily suspended from assessment activities or duties pending the outcome of the investigation.

7.3 Outcome and Decision:

Once all evidence is reviewed, the investigator or panel will determine whether malpractice occurred and propose appropriate sanctions or corrective actions.
Any final decisions will be documented and communicated in writing to the relevant parties.

8. Sanctions

Depending on the severity of the malpractice and whether it is a first or repeated offense, possible sanctions include (but are not limited to):

Invalidating assessment results or withholding certification.
Dismissing or terminating a staff member or contractor.
Excluding a candidate from future assessments for a defined period.
Referring serious incidents to external authorities (e.g., professional regulatory bodies, law enforcement).

9. Appeals

9.1 Right of Appeal:

Individuals who wish to challenge a finding of malpractice or imposed sanctions may submit a formal appeal within 7 working days of receiving the decision.
Appeals will be reviewed by a more senior decision-maker or an independent panel not involved in the original investigation.

9.2 Final Decision:

The outcome of the appeal, including any amendments to sanctions or findings, is final within Mums in Science Ltd.
All appeals must follow the Appeals Policy.

10. Record-Keeping and Confidentiality

10.1 Documentation:

All evidence, correspondence, and records related to malpractice investigations will be securely stored for a minimum of 5 years.
Access to these records will be restricted to authorized individuals.

10.2 Confidentiality:

Information about malpractice allegations will be shared only with those who need it to carry out their role in investigating or resolving the matter.

11. Policy Review

11.1 Periodic Review:

This Malpractice Policy is reviewed at least annually or sooner if changes in regulations or internal processes require it.
Any significant revisions will be communicated to staff, learners, and other stakeholders as appropriate.

11.2 Continuous Improvement:

We use findings from malpractice investigations to improve our assessment procedures, staff training, and risk mitigation strategies.