1. Welcome to the Award Update… explaining the latest developments within the creation of the Qualification in Independent Advocacy. We are pleased to share that the qualifications in Independent Advocacy are very nearly ready. The units will shortly be submitted for endorsement by the Sector Skills Councils (these are the people in charge of workforce qualifications) before being submitted for accreditation. All things going to plan, the qualification will be available to access from Nov onwards. 4 core units in generic advocacy have been developed at Level 3: Mod 1 Purpose and Principles of Independent Advocacy Mod 2 Providing Effective Advocacy Support Mod 3 Maintaining the Advocacy Relationship Mod 4 Providing Independent Advocacy to different groups of people National Advocacy Qualification Award project September 17 th 2008

2. Each of the core units will be taught over 2 days and learners will also have to complete elements of self study. Units in specialist areas of advocacy have also been developed at Level 4: Mod 5IMCA Mod 6IMHA Mod 7Advocacy with children and young people Mod 8Advocacy with Adults Mod 9Management of Advocacy Services Mod 10IMCA DOLS (attached to Mod 5). The specialist units will be taught over 4 days. Awarding Bodies City and Guilds are submitting the qualification and will be working with training providers to offer the course. However the qualification will be available to all Awarding Bodies (for eg. OCNW, CPCAB, CACHE, ASET, OCN) who are interested in delivering the units.

3. Who is delivering the course? A number of advocacy training providers are looking at delivering the course. These include the following organisations: Advocacy Action WalesAge Concern (Notts) AttendBILD Blackpool AdvocacyBritish Deaf Association CloverleafEast Lancs Advocacy Flintshire Mental Health Advocacy Inclusive AccessIntegritas Kate Mercer Training + SEAP National Youth Advocacy Service TogetherTros Gynnal VOICE If you are thinking of delivering the qualifications and do not appear on this list, please get in touch. These training providers are in the process of working with Awarding Bodies and expect to be ready from Nov- Jan onwards.

4. Where will the courses be offered? Training providers will decide where the courses will be delivered however you can expect courses will run locally and nationally across England and Wales. It will be up to the training providers to decide and market the courses How much will it cost? The cost of the qualifications will be set by the training providers. The qualification will cost more then usual training because there are additional costs involved in registering learners with the Awarding Body and the time it takes to assess learners. The most up to date feedback from training providers suggest a minimum of £300/£400 each per module for the core units and £600/£700 each for the specialist units.

5. Who is paying for the course? It is usual for workforce training to be funded by employers and it is expected the majority of training will be paid for by advocacy services. It is therefore important to talk to commissioners about including training budgets within SLA’s. During the consultation, the majority of commissioners interviewed expressed strong support for the advocacy workforce to access recognised qualifications and understood it was likely to make advocacy services more expensive. Advocacy organisations who are thinking about supporting their staff to achieve the qualifications can also contact ‘Train to gain’ who can offer funding for workforce development. There are particular requirements to access the funding. Train to Gain can be contacted on 0800 015 55 45

6. How is the course assessed? The course assesses your competency to undertake a wide variety of advocacy specific tasks such as listening, providing information, maintaining confidential relationships and exploring options. The assessment therefore has to be based on real life experience. Learners will submit a ‘portfolio’ of evidence which demonstrates they have developed the competencies – or practical skills – in each of the units. The portfolio of evidence may include observations, self reflective accounts, feedback from service users, statements by colleagues or managers and written question and answers. Assessors will work out the most effective way of observing the learner in real life situations, bearing in mind the effect having an assessor present may have on the person receiving advocacy support.

7. How do I book a place on the course? Training providers will advertise and market the course. You will need to book your place with your chosen training provider. Can I use APEL (accreditation of prior and experiential learning)? If you have gathered evidence of your competency – or practical skills – either through experience or gathering other course in advocacy or advocacy related topics, then this can be used within your portfolio. Training Materials Training materials will be made available to training providers to assist in the delivery of the units. They will be distributed through Awarding Bodies.

8. How are service users involved in the qualification? Training providers should make a plan for the involvement of service users in the delivery and assessment of the qualification. People who have received advocacy support are uniquely placed to comment on the skills of candidates and have an important role to play in delivering (or contributing to the delivery of) sections of the course. Training providers should offer support, training and debriefing opportunities to all service users involved in the running of advocacy qualifications. For further information If you would like further information please contact Kate Mercer Care Services Improvement Partnership (CSIP) Telephone: 07876 158 276 Email; Kate.mercer@csip.org.uk

9. For further information If you would like further information please contact Kate Mercer National Independent Advocacy Qualification Manager Care Services Improvement Partnership (CSIP) Telephone: 07876 158 276 Email; Kate.mercer@csip.org.uk