PRESS RELEASE : Institute of British Sign Language surrenders Ofqual recognition [February 2023]
The press release issued by Ofqual on 28 February 2023.
The Institute of British Sign Language (iBSL) has surrendered its status as an Ofqual-recognised awarding organisation.
iBSL informed Ofqual in January 2023 of its intention to surrender recognition in respect of all of its regulated qualifications. This is in view of iBSL’s decision to cease trading. The surrender will take effect from Friday 3 March 2023.
Ofqual has been working closely with iBSL to protect the interests of students (learners). Ofqual has put in place arrangements (called saving and transitional provisions) that allow iBSL to continue to issue results and certificates to students after 3 March 2023, if they have a valid entitlement, while it continues to trade. Qualifications awarded under these arrangements will remain Ofqual-regulated qualifications.
Ofqual has also imposed Special Conditions on iBSL in order to protect the interests of its existing and potential students. iBSL is not permitted to register any new students to take its qualifications. Training providers (centres) should not enrol any new students on courses for iBSL qualifications.
We understand that this may cause disruption and uncertainty for students. Ofqual has contacted iBSL’s training providers to provide details of alternative regulated qualifications that students can transfer to. A full list of currently recognised awarding organisations and regulated qualifications can be found on the Register of Regulated Qualifications. iBSL is required to provide assistance for any students who wish to transfer to another regulated qualification. Students should contact their training provider for further information.
iBSL currently has the following qualifications on Ofqual’s Register:
| Qualification Number | Title | Level |
|---|---|---|
| 501/1418/9 | Award in DeafBlind Awareness | Level 1 |
| 501/1493/1 | Award in Deaf Awareness | Level 1 |
| 501/1279/X | Award in British Sign Language Studies | Level 1 |
| 501/0707/0 | Certificate in British Sign Language Studies | Level 2 |
| 501/1347/1 | Certificate in British Sign Language Studies | Level 3 |
| 610/1216/6 | Education and Training for Sign Language Teachers | Level 3 |
| 601/6580/7 | Certificate in Education & Training for Sign Language teachers | Level 4 |
| 601/7795/0 | Diploma in British Sign Language Interpreting Studies | Level 6 |
| 603/3923/8 | Diploma in Sign Language Interpreting Studies Level 6 | Level 6 |
iBSL also offers qualifications in Wales and Northern Ireland. Ofqual has been working alongside the regulators in Wales (Qualifications Wales ‘QW’) and Northern Ireland (Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment Regulation ‘CCEA’) to ensure a consistent approach for students across the three countries. Further information about how this affects qualifications in Wales and Northern Ireland is available on their websites.
