Qualifications Scotland Strategic Advisory Council

Scottish Ministers have signed new regulations creating a Strategic Advisory Council for Qualifications Scotland. The instrument was made on 28 January 2026, laid before the Scottish Parliament on 30 January, and takes effect on 12 March 2026. The Council’s legal purpose sits in section 9 of the Education (Scotland) Act 2025 and centres on advising on qualifications and how the new body operates. (legislation.gov.uk)

First, the context you need. Qualifications Scotland replaces the Scottish Qualifications Authority as the national awarding body from February 2026, as part of the government’s education reform programme. Both the Scottish Government and SQA have trailed a steady transition so learners and teachers can keep working as normal this year. (gov.scot)

What the Council is for is straightforward. In law, it will look at matters related to Qualifications Scotland’s qualifications, and at the organisation’s functions and procedures. It can offer advice to Qualifications Scotland or directly to Scottish Ministers-whether asked for or on its own initiative. (legislation.gov.uk)

Who gets a seat matters for trust. The Regulations set out a broad mix: voices for children and young people; people with strong knowledge of additional support needs; parents and carers; representatives of staff through a trade union; people from business and industry; a director of education from a local authority; representatives from the Scottish Funding Council, colleges and universities; and others with relevant expertise. There will be two conveners; one-though only one-must also be a member of Qualifications Scotland’s governing body. Staff employed by Qualifications Scotland cannot be appointed as Council members. Those last two requirements are in section 9 of the 2025 Act. (legislation.gov.uk)

How appointments work is also set in law. Ministers appoint members for terms of up to four years and may reappoint, but no one may serve more than 12 years in total. Ministers can end a term early in specific circumstances, such as persistent absence without good reason or where a member no longer meets the criteria they were appointed to represent. Allowances and expenses may be paid, as determined by Ministers and paid by Qualifications Scotland. (legislation.gov.uk)

Listening is a legal duty. Whenever it thinks it should, the Council must consult key groups named in legislation, including Qualifications Scotland itself, the Learner Interest Committee and the Teacher and Practitioner Interest Committee. It must also take account of any consultation already carried out by Qualifications Scotland and any guidance issued by Ministers on how to meet these duties. (legislation.gov.uk)

Openness is built in. At least once in every financial year, a Council meeting must be open to the public and, working with Qualifications Scotland, the Council must encourage people to attend. Conveners may allow Qualifications Scotland staff to observe or take part in meetings. A representative of the Scottish Ministers can also observe or participate. The Council can set up committees and sub‑committees and involve non‑members where that helps the work, according to legislation.gov.uk. (legislation.gov.uk)

There are clear rules on information and accountability. Qualifications Scotland must share the information the Council reasonably needs-or explain in writing why it has not. When the Council gives written advice to Qualifications Scotland, it must copy it to Ministers; when advice goes to Ministers, a copy must go to Qualifications Scotland. When Qualifications Scotland receives written advice, it must issue a written response and share that with Ministers. These arrangements mirror the framework set out in section 9. (legislation.gov.uk)

What this means for you if you’re a learner: nothing changes about your current courses or exams because the Council exists. SQA’s transition guidance confirms the 2026 exam diet runs as planned and you continue studying as normal. The Council is about shaping better decisions over time and making learner voice harder to ignore. (sqa.org.uk)

What this means for you if you teach or support learning: expect more structured invitations to share classroom evidence-through the Teacher and Practitioner Interest Committee, your union, your school, college or university. The Council must consider evidence from consultations that Qualifications Scotland has already run, so feeding into those remains a practical way to influence policy. (legislation.gov.uk)

For parents, carers and those focused on additional support needs: the law says parents and carers must be represented on the Council, and the Regulations add at least one person with strong knowledge of the needs and interests of learners with educational support needs. That should keep accessibility, adjustments and fairness close to the discussion when qualifications are reviewed. (legislation.gov.uk)

What to watch next. The Regulations come into force on 12 March 2026. We expect Ministers to recruit and appoint Council members soon after. Separately, government has been appointing the inaugural Board of Qualifications Scotland-this is a different body-but it shows the wider governance is being put in place. When the Council’s first public meeting is announced, we’ll explain how to attend and how to share your views. (gov.scot)