The SNSIAP Moderation Committee

The Moderation Committee is made up of experienced advisers from the three areas of work covered by the Standards (housing, welfare benefits and debt/money advice) and two Quality Assurance members who do not come from an advice background but have experience of Quality Assurance processes in other walks of life.

The Moderation Committee has three primary functions.

1. Reviewing peer review reports.

The Committee meets quarterly to discuss the findings in each peer review reports and checking the accuracy of the findings. At Moderation Committee meetings, Committee members are asked to discuss the contents and conclusions of the peer review reports. The Committee has the final say on whether an agency is compliant at peer review.

2. Monitoring for consistency.

While reviewing the peer review reports the Committee note and comment on whether peer reviewers are taking a consistent approach to peer reviewing, both in their expectations regarding the technical accuracy of the advice provided by an agency and in the way they write their reports.

3. Improving the peer review process.

The Committee assists us in developing and implementing the delivery of the SNSIAP model by overseeing the peer review process. They may make recommendations to SLAB about ways in which the peer review process could be improved based on their knowledge of the peer review reports presented to them.

The Moderation Committee’s primary role is to ensure that the peer reviewers have followed the review Guidance and focused on the technical accuracy of the advice given to the clients. They do this by reading and reviewing the peer review reports and checking that:

• the peer reviewers have followed the Guidance and have focused on the technical accuracy of the advice and the generic competences
• the individual peer reviewers are marking consistently in two ways by:
  a) picking up issues and scoring agencies in the same way across all cases
  b) marking the same issues in a consistent fashion across the whole subject area.

Advice agencies who apply for peer review will be confident that their case files will be marked in the same way as other agency’s case files and that they will receive an objective, detailed report that has been marked in accordance with the Guidance provided to the peer reviewers.

Where relevant, the subject specialists provide an oversight on any technical questions, such as does the evidence provided in the peer review report support the score given. Focusing on the correct process is the quality assurance member’s primary role.

We are currently looking for subject specialists and quality assurance members to join our Committee. Volunteering is an opportunity to develop your skills and expertise, build connections and make an impact.

Participation.
Participate in Committee meetings and build expertise that will benefit your personal and professional growth.

Collaboration.
Collaborate with a diverse range of professionals from the advice sector and further afield. Work alongside individuals from different backgrounds, broadening your perspective and enhancing your ability to work in a diverse team.

Enhance your skills and expertise.
Engage in hands-on opportunities that allow you to develop new competencies while refining your   existing strengths in a dynamic environment.

Insights.
Develop and deepen your understanding of the advice sector in Scotland. Gain valuable insights into the challenges facing our communities, enabling you to contribute effectively to delivering quality advice through SNSIAP.

Positive change.
Contribute to meaningful change. Your contribution directly supports the public interest and wider consumers of the advice services, allowing you to see the immediate and long-term results of your work. Be a part something bigger and contribute to positive social change.