Invitation to tender: Access Arrangements Regulations and Guidance Review

Introduction

The Joint Council for Qualifications represents the seven leading providers of qualifications in the UK and is responsible for publishing common administration guidance, including the Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments (AARA) document used by centres and awarding organisations across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The AARA regulations and related documentation and the associated learner evidence requirements together form the framework through which access arrangements are identified, evidenced, approved and applied for students.

Ofqual has set out a programme of work on access arrangements and reasonable adjustments and asked JCQ to seek feedback from a range of users to inform a review of both the current process for access arrangements and the published requirements. Ofqual has been clear that the scope of the review should consider feedback relating to current evidence requirements and associated administration; the clarity and readability of the JCQ access arrangements and reasonable adjustments requirements document; and that the review should seek to balance protecting the integrity of the system with minimising administrative burden. 

JCQ seeks to appoint a suitably experienced supplier to design and deliver an end-to-end review of access arrangements requirements (for example, evidence thresholds, eligibility, and “normal way of working” expectations), guidance, evidence expectations and associated supporting documentation. The supplier will provide independent analysis and recommendations, drawing on evidence from users, relevant research on access arrangements and wider policy developments, with the review activities providing a robust evidence base for redrafting. The primary outcome of this work is the drafting of a clear, coherent and up-to-date version of the AARA guidance and associated materials.

Questions

JCQ has prepared FAQs to help with understanding more about the requirements for this tender. Examples of some questions covered:

• Overall budget?
• Sample sizes for any or all stakeholder groups?
• How much time will JCQ need to review draft materials?

These questions and much more are answered in the FAQ document:

Note, these FAQs will be updated as and when JCQ receives more specific queries.

Last update: 27 March 2026