Terms and Conditions for ABBE ISSE Diploma and other training schemes

All registered ISSE learners must pay the requisite course fees and download the ABBE ISSE qualification handbook and read through the content prior to embarking on any ISSE course.

The course materials must be procured by the learner at their cost. However, ISSE will assist where possible in obtaining copies and providing these at a reduced cost as included wherever possible as part of the course learning materials. Notwithstanding the above, it is the learner’s responsibility to obtain read and understand the course materials identified in the course Qualification Handbook.

The learner must agree with ISSE, as part of the learning plan, (that is the learner’s responsibility to ensure is drawn up in agreement with ISSE), the evidence required to be assessed in order to gain the award. For example, 4 reports of sufficient breadth and depth to support the syllabus rising damp, lateral damp, condensation, flooding, fungal and insect infestation of timber, property defects and human health problems etc.

The learner must produce the evidence within the agreed time frame by completion of the ISSE Learner Evidence Log, in electronic form and E-mailed to the person responsible at ISSE along with a copy to training@isse.org.uk. There is an implied agreement that the evidence can be reviewed by ISSE authorised members as required.

ISSE will provide a named tutor to guide the learner through the processes required in gaining the award and in helping the learner understand the materials and survey requirements.

ISSE offer 3-day residential training at variable costs subject to the number of learners and cost of catering and course materials. It is not possible during these events to provide learners with the knowledge and training required to gain the award. They are structured discussion group sessions using the course materials as a guide.

If the learners’ employment is within a subject covered by the award, such as specialist surveying, then it is likely that the learner will already possess much of the knowledge required. However, the learner will have to appraise that existing knowledge within the framework of the qualification. This may lead to a necessary re-evaluation of their existing knowledge in order to make the progress required to gain the award.

Thus although it has been assessed at 540 hours of learning ongoing surveys in work will discharge much of the time required to gain the knowledge. Those that are engaged less in the subject should not be disadvantaged and the learning plan will act as a guide to enable sufficient evidence of competency to accrue.

It is recommended that learners attend at least 2 x 3-day events. The first to serve as an introduction to specialist surveying and to add the outline subject matter of each diploma.

After the first event learners should produce sample reports to enable assessment of their current status. This will enable the tutor to comment on the ability and state of readiness to produce the evidence of competence required. Attendance at the second event will then enable learners to prepare for the submission of the agreed evidence. Guided learning, notes, course materials, discussion and sample reports can be provided to help the learner develop their knowledge.

The ISSE tutor cannot comment upon evidence submitted. The evidence either shows sufficient competence and the award is made or it does not and the award is withheld. Learners should not present reports that have not been carefully evaluated against guided learning and notes.

Providing the learner has followed the syllabus and understood the guided learning and notes the learner should be competent to produce reports. In the event of these reports not being acceptable or failing to meet standards new reports may, with the agreement of ISSE, be produced for fresh evaluation.

Surveying is in practice an unsupervised role and liability arises when reports are not competent. This award of the qualification is an essential business and discharge of the duty of care tool.

The award provides a certified route of learning that clients will accept and be likely to award work on their basis. The internal assessor will examine reports submitted. These are batch checked at random by the external assessor. The reports will also be peer group reviewed by the ISSE board of competent experts.

After the award, it is essential that 25 hours CPD accompanies the consolidation and future and further development of the recognised competency.

Note – exams and revision in order to answer often predictable questions cannot be compared to the competency route. Passing an exam implies you have sufficient knowledge to answer those questions only. It does not test the learners remaining skills and knowledge.

In the solitary practice of surveying the competent surveyor has to make decisions and answer questions on numerous aspects. A well constructed report based on the guided learning in creating a report that accurately describes the property and its condition with recommendations for repair or improvement should be a consistent accurate result on every occasion.