CAVA committees

The CAVA Board is the most senior body within the organisation’s governance structure. CAVA is licensed by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) as an Access Validating Agency (AVA) to award the Access to HE Diploma. The CAVA Board has the ultimate authority for the licence and is responsible for meeting our responsibilities as an AVA. 

The Board is supported by two committees: the Quality and Academic Development Committee (QuAD) composed of academic and quality experts; and the Council of Members composed of representatives from each of CAVA’s member institutions. The day-to-day operations of the organisation are delegated to the CAVA staff team.

CAVA Board's composition is:

• The current Chair of CAVA

• The previous Chair of CAVA 

• The Chair of QuAD

• One member with expertise in HE in FE

Board representatives are appointed for a three-year term, with the option to have up to two continuous terms of office. All Board representatives are non-executive and receive no remuneration from CAVA; with the exception of travel and subsistence incurred on CAVA business. 

The CAVA Quality and Academic Development Committee (QuAD) has delegated responsibility from the CAVA Board to oversee:

• procedures associated with the granting or withdrawal of approval of Access to HE Diplomas and courses and outcomes of such activity

• the assurance of quality, standards and enhancement on CAVA’s recognised Access to HE Diplomas

• monitoring and assurance of the academic standards achieved by students

• the process of the award and certification of the Access to HE Diplomas to students

• monitoring the continuing compliance with the AVA licensing criteria.

QuAD also supports CAVA member institutions by devising a programme for the year’s development events for external moderators and Access to HE practitioners appropriate to their needs. 

QuAD's composition is:

• The Chair (a Board, QuAD or Council Member who is not a representative of a providing member institution)

• Two Council of Members Representatives (HE and FE. HE representative can be a colleague nominated as a delegate by the HE Council of Members representative)

• Two CAVA Access to HE Practitioners (FE)

• Two representatives not employed by a CAVA member institution (external)

• One member with expertise in HE OR FE employed by a member institution

• One member with expertise of HE in FE employed by a member institution

• One member from any of the categories above.

QuAD representatives are appointed for a three-year term, with the option to have up to two continuous terms of office. QuAD representatives receive no remuneration from CAVA; with the exception of travel and subsistence incurred on CAVA business. 

The responsibility of PRWG is: 

• Propose and support activities to promote the CAVA Access to HE Diploma at local, national, and international levels.

• Provide expert advice on local and national Access to HE campaigns.

• Develop and implement plans for campaigns and activities approved by the CAVA Board.

• Share good practices, discuss updates, and provide feedback to inform future promotional activities.

The composition of the PRWG includes:

• One member from the marketing team (or designate) of each college.

• One member from the Access to HE team (or designate) of each college.

• CAVA Communications and Events Officer.

• CAVA Quality and Operations Officer.

Representation at PRWG meetings:

• Only appointed members may participate in the meetings.

• Each college is represented by a single response where recommendations are sought.

• A quorum requires representation from at least four colleges.