31.Given that candidates will begin Diploma courses in autumn 2011, and some of them will take more than two years to complete the qualification, we propose that some transitional arrangements should be put in place to ensure that they are not disadvantaged by the changes we intend to make to Diploma regulation.

32.We propose that all DABs will be required to make provision to award Diplomas to Diploma candidates that are successful in achieving the requirements for the qualification for one year after the closure of the DAS. This will allow those candidates that still need to complete or re-sit components of the Diploma to do so. This may require awarding organisations to put in place a manual process for making Diploma awards, but this should only apply to a limited number of candidates as most learners complete their Diplomas in two years. These arrangements would only apply to those learners who had registered on Diplomas before the regulations were changed. As detailed above, this will be only those learners that began the qualification in or before autumn 2011.

33.When a new regulatory approach is set out after this consultation, we will expect all DABs to make clear to the schools and colleges registered with them for the Diploma what transitional arrangements are in place. They should also identify to them what provision they will make available in this area in future, including in particular whether they will continue to offer the Diploma.