You will be allocated a Standards Verifier (SV) for Entry Level Functional Skills (ELFS), who will contact your centre Quality Nominee via email to introduce themselves and begin the external standards verification process. This communication should be forwarded to the Lead Internal Verifier, who will then work with the Standards Verifier to plan for sampling to take place.
Please note: Standards Verifiers will be allocated from October 2026, and you must have registered your learners in order to receive an allocation. Should you require a visit prior to receiving an allocation, then please contact us, providing a rationale as to why an earlier visit is necessary.
For the 2026/27 academic year, most Standards Verification activity will be completed remotely. Centres may be eligible for a face to face visit if they meet the exception criteria. If your centre believes it may be eligible, please contact your Standards Verifier. The deadline for sampling is 31 July 2027.
The Standards Verifier will review a pre-determined sample of learner work and supporting quality assurance documentation. For detailed information, including 'External Verification Checklist' and 'Quality Assurance Year Planner', please see pages 29 to 32 of the below document:
Quality Assurance Roles
Centres are responsible for identifying staff members to hold the roles of Assessor, Internal Verifier and Lead Internal Verifier as defined below:
| Assessor |
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Assessors are responsible for:
- marking and recording assessment decisions using the Mark Scheme and Guidance for Assessors
- conducting assessments in line with the Instructions for the Conduct of Controlled Assessment
- maintaining accurate and verifiable information on the Assessment Record and Authentication Sheets
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| Internal Verifier |
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Internal Verifiers (IVs) are responsible for reviewing assessment decisions to check the accuracy, fairness and consistent application of the correct standards across the programme. Anyone involved in delivery and assessment can act as an Internal Verifier, but they cannot internally verify their own assessments.
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| Lead Internal Verifier |
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The Lead Internal Verifier is designated by the centre to standardise and verify the marking of Internal Verifiers and Assessors. They are responsible for ensuring that assessments across the centre consistently meet national standards.
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There is no specific Assessor or Internal Verifier (IV) qualification requirement for Functional Skills qualifications. However, the Internal Verifier must have a good understanding of the qualification and its assessment, but does not have to be an Assessor.
The IV and LIV can be the same person only if the centre has fewer than 15 registered candidates during the year; however, they cannot verify their own assessments.
For detailed information on the roles and responsibilities of the quality assurance team within your centre, please see the ELFS Centre Guide to Quality Assurance.
Related Articles:
Entry Level Functional Skills: Quality Assurance Handbook
Entry Level Functional Skills: Lead Internal Verifier Registration
Back to Functional Skills: Support Index.
