Representations will need to be made in writing to the designated officer. We will set a period from receipt of the notice by which representations must be received. If it is not urgent for action to be taken, representations will normally need to be received by us no later than 30 days from receipt of the notice. This period may be reduced (to such time as will be specified in the notice) where, in our judgement, there is an urgent need to take action, in particular in order to protect the interests of learners and/or secure that the standard of, and public confidence in, qualifications is maintained. In such cases the time allowed for the awarding organisation to make representations might be very limited.

The representations should address the reasons for the proposed direction included in the notice, the accuracy of our summary of the facts, the reasonableness of the nature of the proposed direction and the timescale proposed for compliance.