1. Presenters’ names: Ann Doyle Welcome Independent Advocacy

2. Ground rules – mobile phone Please… switch off your mobile phone ring

3. Certificate in Independent Advocacy Objectives background to the qualification structure of the qualification delivery of the qualification networking opportunities partake in group activities enjoy feel free to ask questions complete a course evaluation receive record of attendance 1

4. Triggers to the Qualification development  Growth of Advocacy sector during the noughties.  New statutory roles of Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) Mental Capacity Act 2005; and Independent Mental Health Advocate (IMHA) Mental Health Act 2007.  Advocacy Sector seeking to improve consistency of standards of practice with nationally recognised qualification training.  Development project funded by Dept Health and Welsh Assembly Government.  National consultation > Level 3 Vocationally Recognised Qualification (VRQ), competence based, on the QCF

5. Independent Advocacy – parties to Award development Department of Health Welsh Assembly Government Advocacy Sector / service users > consultation Care Services Improvement Partnership National Institute for Mental Health in England Awarding Body – City & Guilds

6. Independent Advocacy – Statutory requirements role and responsibilities of advocates developing Mental Capacity Act 2005 (IMCA) (England, and Wales) Mental Health Act 1983, as amended 2007 (IMHA) (England, and Wales) raising standards

7. The Advocacy Workforce – qualification target  Existing Advocates – may be employed or voluntary  New entrants-  Other Professionals -who use advocacy skills within wider role e.g. Social Worker; GP; Probation Officer. Housing, Youth Worker Who’s role includes: Providing Independent Advocacy support to diverse service users, who may be experiencing mental health, mental capacity, physical, sensory or learning difficulties, of any age, social and cultural background, to have more inclusive and just access to options and choices for services, benefits and rights,

8. Structure of the Qualification A Level 3 competency based qualification - Candidate to provide most evidence from real work activities The Independent Advocacy Qualification comprises, via Rules of Combination, 4 Mandatory Units (Level 3) plus 1 of 6 option units (Level 4)

9. The 4 Mandatory Units: Level 3 301: Purpose and principles of Independent Advocacy (4 credits) 302: Providing Independent Advocacy Support (6 Credits) 303: Maintaining the Independent Advocacy relationship (6 Credits) 304: Responding to the Advocacy needs of different groups of people (6 Credits) 25 guided learning hours (glh recommended for each mandatory unit)

10. The 6 Option Units: Level 4 Candidate must complete all 4 mandatory units plus 1 optional unit to achieve the full qualification. 305- Providing Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy 306- Independent Mental Health Advocacy 307- Providing Independent Advocacy Management 308- Providing Independent Advocacy to Adults 309- Independent Advocacy with Children and Young People 310-Providing Independent Mental Capacity Advocacy-Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (35 guided learning hours (glh) recommended for each mandatory unit)

11. Group activity Group activity and discussion Look at the sample units: 302 – Mandatory Unit – Level 3 ‘Providing Independent Advocacy support’ & 308- Option Unit – Level 4 ‘Providing Independent Advocacy to Adults’ Suggest examples of normal work activities which would enable your candidates to demonstrate their competence in each unit. Concerns?

12. Delivering City & Guilds Awards- Centre Approval Information: www.cityandguilds.comwww.cityandguilds.com ‘Providing City & Guilds Qualifications’ April 2008 ‘ Ensuring Quality’ Documents to complete: Notification of intent Application – for Centre Approval (CAP & QAP), for organisations not previously accredited as City and Guilds centre Application – for Qualification Approval for existing City and Guilds centres (QAP) 2

13. Quality Assurance Assessment Strategy Evidence Requirements Standardisation Internal Verification External Verification

14. Assessment Strategy Units and qualifications will be assessed by Candidate Portfolio of Evidence. It is expected that a range of different assessment methods are used, for example: direct observation of practice by a qualified assessor testimony by an expert witness witness testimony assessment of knowledge inferred by direct observation of practice direct questioning assessment of products accreditation of prior experience/achievement/learning case studies professional discussion

15. Centre Requirements The Centre will be responsible for maintaining up to date information on assessors, internal verifiers and expert witness. Assessors must be occupationally competent. Capable of carrying out the functions covered by the units they are assessing to the standards described within them, according to current practice. Have knowledge of independent Advocacy, the regulation, legislation and codes of practice and the requirements of the national standards. Hold or be working towards the appropriate qualification as identified by the regulator. Be prepared to participate in assessment standardisation activities. Have a commitment to reflective practice. Assessor who have not yet gained the assessor qualification required but who are occupationally competent can be supported by a qualified assessor with an allied occupational background

16. Centre Requirements Expert Witness Can contribute to the assessment of evidence of candidates’ Competence. EW - Must have: working knowledge of the units on which their expertise is based. Experience and occupational competence for the units on which their expertise is based. Either any qualification in assessment of workplace performance, OR a professional work role which involves evaluation the everyday practice o staff.

17. Centre Requirements Internal Verifier IV is responsible for ensuring that the assessment process meets the assessment requirements and is fair and accurate. IV must: Be occupationally knowledgeable in respect of the units they are going to verify prior to commencing the role. Understand the nature and context of candidates’ work and the legal and other implications of the assessment process. Have working knowledge of the range of advocacy settings, the regulation and codes of practice for the service and the requirements of the national standards. Occupy a position that gives them the authority and resources to co- ordinate the work of the assessors. Hold or working towards the appropriate IV qualification. Organise and participate in standardisation activities.

18. Community & Society ongoing support C&S Advisers EVs -visit timings Regional / National offices -CRMs / Quality Coordinators -London C&S -Wakefield C&S Centre Development Unit (CDU)

19. Goodbye Further details can be found on City & Guilds website: centresupport@cityandguilds.com City & Guilds 1 Giltspur Street London EC1A 9DD T 020 7294 2800 F 020 7294 2405 Regional Advisers: Southern Region: gillian.delahunty@cityandguilds.com London & South East: hakima.fosdike@cityandguilds.com Thank you for coming

20. Questions If you have questions, please ask!