At A Glance:
Chris Garland Training makes reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010 so disabled learners are not placed at a substantial disadvantage, while protecting the integrity of assessment. Requests should be made before or at booking; special consideration for temporary circumstances must be requested during or within 24 hours of the assessment.
Reasonable Adjustments and Special Considerations Policy
Last review: August 2026
Under the Equality Act 2010, Chris Garland Training has a legal duty to make reasonable adjustments for disabled learners. Consequently, we ensure we do not place any candidate at a substantial disadvantage. Specifically, we aim to provide open and fair access to training and assessment while maintaining the core standards we measure.
Definitions
Impairment – Under the Equality Act 2010, a person must experience effects that arise from a physical or mental impairment. The law gives this term its ordinary meaning. Therefore, we do not need to establish the cause of the impairment, nor must it result from an illness.
Disability – Under the Equality Act 2010, a person has a disability if they have a physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on their ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.
In this context, “substantial” means more than minor or trivial. Similarly, “long-term” means 12 months or more. Furthermore, this definition includes progressive conditions. The law automatically treats people diagnosed with HIV, cancer, or multiple sclerosis as disabled from the point of diagnosis.
Reasonable adjustment – An arrangement we put in place before or during an assessment to reduce or remove substantial disadvantage caused by a disability or difficulty, while maintaining assessment integrity.
Special consideration – A post-assessment adjustment we apply when temporary illness, injury, or unexpected events outside a candidate’s control affect their performance or demonstration of attainment.
Reasonable adjustments
For example, adjustments we may put in place include:
- Accessible online learning (display settings and speech technology advice)
- Assistance during assessments within permitted guidelines
- Adapted course materials or coloured paper
- Re-organisation of the physical learning or assessment environment
- Use of assistive technology where appropriate and permitted
- British Sign Language or live transcription where feasible
However, we may not consider an adjustment reasonable if it involves excessive costs or timeframes, or if it compromises assessment security. Similarly, we have no duty to adjust the core learning objectives we test. We will not grant adjustments that offer an unfair advantage or compromise practical competence and licence-to-practise outcomes.
In line with current JCQ guidance, trainers may offer supervised rest breaks before extra time for candidates with physical impairments. Overall, we make all decisions on an individual case-by-case basis.
How to request a reasonable adjustment
You should make requests before or at the time of booking. Please contact our team at [email protected] to discuss your specific needs. Early notice gives us the best opportunity to arrange suitable support.
Special considerations
We may grant special consideration when a fully prepared candidate experiences temporary illness, injury, or adverse circumstances during an assessment. For instance, examples include serious illness, recent family bereavement, domestic crisis, or major unexpected disruption outside the candidate’s control.
You must submit requests during or within 24 hours of the assessment by emailing [email protected]. You should include supporting evidence where required.
We do not grant special consideration for minor illnesses, personal travel plans, or qualifications that require mandatory practical demonstration. While our decision is final for internal processes, Awarding Organisation rules also apply for externally regulated qualifications.
Evidence and decisions
Your evidence of need must match the adjustment you request. We maintain full records of all requests, evidence, decisions, and implemented arrangements. If you are dissatisfied with a decision, you may use our Appeals or Complaints procedures. Furthermore, for regulated qualifications, you can escalate concerns to the Awarding Organisation and Ofqual where appropriate.