NOCN Level 2 Award for Working in the Debt Collection Industry (QCF)

Transcription

1 NOCN Level 2 Award for Working in the Debt Collection Industry (QCF) Qualification Approval Number: 600/7884/ Overview Version 2 December 2014 Operational Start Date: 01/02/2013 Review End Date: 31/03/2016 Credit Services Association

2 Contents Qualification Overview... 2 The Credit Services Association... 2 NOCN... 3 National Occupational Standards... 3 FLSP... 3 Ofqual... 4 About this Qualification... 4 Learner Entry Guidance... 5 Equal Opportunities Statement... 5 Recognition of Prior Learning... 5 Qualification Review Date... 6 Resources and Learning Materials... 6 Assessment... 6 Referral Policy

3 Qualification Overview The NOCN Level 2 Award for Working in the Debt Collection Industry (QCF) has been created by the Credit Services Association (CSA) and accredited by the awarding organisation NOCN. The Award meets the requirements set by the qualifications regulators in England (Ofqual), Wales (DCELLS) and Northern Ireland (CCEA) and is part of the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF). This overview provides employers and learners with a summary of this qualification. The National Occupational Standards (NOS) and the Financial and Legal Skills Partnership (FLSP), Sector Skills Council for our industry, has been considered and mapped against the development of these units of study. The Credit Services Association The Credit Services Association (CSA) is the only UK wide association for businesses specialising in debt collection, tracing and related services. It has a very broad church of member companies which can range from high street banks to credit reference agencies (CRAs) and debt buyers and funders. CSA members represent more than 90% of the UK debt collection market, and currently own and/or collect around 60 billion of consumer credit receivables. The Association works with members and other stakeholders to promote continuous improvement in the credit industry, with fair outcomes for all involved. Around 20bn of debt is passed to CSA members each year for collection, and we return almost 3bn to the UK economy every year. Our clients include major financial institutions, government departments and local authorities, utilities, mail order and telecoms companies. 2

4 NOCN NOCN is a leading UK awarding organisation, offering high quality, flexible, credit-based qualifications and is accredited by the Regulatory Authorities in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. NOCN qualifications are delivered through further education and sixth form colleges, universities and higher education institutions, trade unions, TUC education, employers, local education authorities and training organisations, adult and community education centres, and voluntary and community organisations. National Occupational Standards NOS are defined by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills as: describing what a person needs to do, know and understand in their job to carry out their role in a consistent and competent way. NOS define the knowledge and performance criteria against which competencies are assessed. This qualification provides some of the underpinning knowledge components of the FSP National Occupational Standards for Debt Collections. FLSP The Sector Skills Council responsible for the financial services, accountancy and finance is the Financial and Legal Skills Partnership (FLSP), formally known as the Financial Services Skills Council. The main remit of the FLSP is to ensure that all relevant qualifications for employees in the financial sector continuously develops the skills, knowledge and expertise required to ensure the UK remains a world leading financial centre (FSSC 2009:4). 3

5 Ofqual The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) is the regulator of qualifications and is an independent non-ministerial government department accountable to Parliament. Ofqual has been the regulator of all accredited qualifications, examinations and assessments in England since Together with its partner regulators in Wales (DCELLS) and Northern Ireland (CCEA), Ofqual is responsible for the regulation of the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF). About this Qualification The NOCN Level 2 Award for Working in the Debt Collection Industry provides an industry-recognised qualification that offers proof of knowledge and the skills required to function as a proficient member of staff employed within the Debt Collection Industry. This qualification has been designed to provide the learner with a wide scope of knowledge regarding the essential practical skills to work in the Debt Collection Industry. Every learner must successfully achieve a total of 12 credits from two mandatory units of study. The Award consists of the following two mandatory units of study: Unit No Title Level Credits J/504/6495 Debt Collection Industry Practice 2 6 K/504/6490 Working in a Debt Collection Environment 2 6 This qualification has been accredited for use in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. We are able to provide this qualification specification and assessment materials in the Welsh and/or Irish language where requested and appropriate. 4

6 Learner Entry Guidance This Level 2 qualification is appropriate for learners aged 16+ and is on offer for anyone new to the Debt Collection Industry. The CSA does not set entry requirements for this qualification. However, employers (sponsors) must ensure that learners have the potential and opportunity to achieve this qualification. In addition, the nature of both the learning and the assessment methods required for this qualification is such that learners should be at a relevant literacy level with the ability to manage the requirements of a level 2 qualification. The learner must be able to read and interpret written tasks, and write answers in a legible and understandable form. It is the employers or sponsors responsibility to ensure that the learner has been appropriately identified and selected to take this qualification. Any identified learning needs should be communicated to the CSA at time of enrolment so we can provide any additional support or accommodate any specific development needs of the student. Equal Opportunities Statement The Credit Services Association does not discriminate against any learner on the grounds of race, gender, disability, religious beliefs, or role within any member organisation. If any learner has been diagnosed with any type of disability that may impact on the successful completion of this Level 2 Award then please inform us immediately and we will do the utmost to accommodate any special requirements or needs. Recognition of Prior Learning Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) means if a learner has previously successfully completed the old non-accredited CSA Diploma and can provide evidence of a full certificate. RPL may be accredited for units 1 and 2 but evidence must be provided and this is at the discretion of NOCN. 5

7 Learners may be exempt from attending classes; however it will be expected that the learner will be required to complete some additional work to ensure that all learning outcomes and assessment criteria have been covered satisfactorily. Qualification Review Date All qualifications on the QCF have review dates and expiry dates. The review of this Level 2 Award must be completed before 31/03/2016 in line with regulatory requirements. Resources and Learning Materials All resources and learning materials will be provided as part of this course. However, the CSA expects learners to have access to appropriate IT equipment to conduct additional research and meet the assessment methods associated with each unit of study. Additionally, it may be expected for the learner to carry out work based learning activities within their business to meet the requirements of the assessment methods associated with individual units of study. Assessment National standards and rigorous quality assurance are maintained by the use of assessments. Each unit of study within this Level 2 Award will be holistically assessed by appropriate assessment methods, which are to be marked by nominated CSA professional assessors. Quality assurance is monitored internally by the CSA standardisation group and externally by NOCN verification systems, to ensure that national standards are maintained. All assessments will be graded as a Referral or Pass. If a student is referred and does not meet the assessment requirement then they will have the opportunity to retake the assessment at an additional cost within 4 weeks from the referral notification. The student has the right to appeal against any decisions as outlined in the referral policy. 6

8 If the student fails to submit assessments within the allotted deadline then a referral grade will be given. However, the student can apply for Extenuating Circumstances for the mitigation panel to consider (this form can be obtained by contacting the CSA Diploma Team). The CSA defines extenuating circumstances as: Significant, unforeseen personal or operational business matters that result in a major impact on a learner s ability to complete, or submit an assessment within the allotted timeframe. Referral Policy If a student appeals against the result of an assessment, the Programme Tutor will make all endeavours to resolve the problem in the first instance. It should then be referred to the CSA Diploma Steering Group, and following that, the CSA Head of Learning and Development. If the problem cannot be satisfactorily resolved, then NOCN External Verifier should be approached, to offer independent advice. All appeals will be clearly documented by the CSA Head of Learning and Development acting in the capacity of Qualifications and Quality Assurance Co-ordinator and made available to NOCN External Verifier. 7