The useful question is what changes for users, developers or buyers, and whether the announcement stays industry context or becomes something people can actually use.

Ofqual imposed a £25,000 fine on OTHM Qualifications after identifying serious and repeated failures in its malpractice handling over more than four years. The regulator found that OTHM allowed colleges accused of malpractice to investigate themselves, even in cases where accreditation was at risk. This approach compromised the integrity of the process and raised concerns about fairness and transparency in addressing wrongdoing.

Ofqual’s investigation, launched in February 2024 following 12 malpractice allegations, revealed inconsistent record-keeping by OTHM. The regulator noted that OTHM provided differing registers with conflicting information each time records were requested. Additionally, OTHM failed to produce investigation reports for four cases it was required to retain under its own policies, further undermining accountability.

Between 2018 and 2024, OTHM submitted only one notification to Ofqual regarding a potentially serious incident, despite its records indicating numerous malpractice and maladministration events that warranted reporting. This failure to notify Ofqual deprived the regulator of the opportunity to intervene early and protect learners, as required by its governance standards.

Since Ofqual’s intervention, OTHM has developed a detailed action plan and invested in improving its systems, processes, and staff training to prevent recurrence. The organisation has agreed to provide Ofqual with regular reports on progress, verified by independent auditors. Ofqual emphasised that timely notifications are essential for effective governance and learner protection, and the fine reflects the seriousness of the failures.