OCR ADVICE AND GUIDANCE NVQS LEVELS 2, 3 AND 4

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1 Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations OCR ADVICE AND GUIDANCE NVQS LEVELS 2, 3 AND 4 NVQ Information Brief N

2 OCR ADVICE AND GUIDANCE NVQS LEVE OCR is the awarding body established by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate and RSA Examinations Board. OCR provides a full range of vocational and academic qualifications. OCR provides a comprehensive range of resources, advisory and support services to enable centres to offer the Advice and Guidance NVQ: Recording documents for candidates Guidance on delivery, assessment and verification of qualifications Advisory visits Evaluation of centres External Verification Registration and certification of candidates Regular updates on developments Presentations and workshops Advice and Guidance These NVQs are aimed primarily at people employed or seeking employment in the Advice and Guidance sector. ENTO/CAMPAG The Advice and Guidance NVQs have been based on the standards developed by the national organisation for education, training and standards setting in Advice Advocacy Counselling Guidance Mediation and Psychotherapy (CAMPAG) which now works alongside the Employment National Training Organisation. The National Qualifications Framework This qualification has been accepted by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) for inclusion in the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). The NVQ Structure NVQs have flexible structures which allow candidates to gain recognition for the skills required in their job role. Where training needs are identified these can be addressed at work or through college/training centre arrangements. Credit can be gained for past achievements where they can be related to the NVQ NVQs assess knowledge and understanding but also measure a candidate s performance in the real work environment. NVQs are based on National Occupational Standards, which describe what is required of the candidates in very precise detail. These qualifications draw together standards designed specifically for Advice and Guidance with other standards which relate to work in the sector, such as administration, management, marketing and training and development. This combination of National Occupational Standards is seen to accurately reflect the work roles and levels of performance required in both Advice and Guidance. Advice and Guidance NVQs. Levels 2, 3 and 4 There are 3 NVQs in Advice and Guidance which are made up of a number of units. Some units are mandatory and some are optional, which can be certificated individually or brought together to form full awards at levels 2, 3 or 4. Advice, Guidance and Advocacy Level 2 - Scheme Code 1733 This is primarily concerned with those people who act in administrative or customer service functions, but who are aiming to become practitioners. Advice, Guidance and Advocacy Level 3 - Scheme Code 1734 This is primarily concerned with practitioners who work directly with clients, disseminating information, advice, and some level of guidance. They will be working with information that is often interpreted by others, and working within some clear guidelines.

3 LS 2, 3 AND 4 Advice, Guidance and Advocacy Level 4 - Scheme Code 1735 Level 4 is for the fully developed and experienced practitioner, particularly in guidance and in formal advocacy. They might also have some management responsibilities. In addition, they could be creators of information, advice, and guidance, either being disseminated by themselves as practitioners or through their organisations in the form of publications. They also have a more dynamic relationship with other organisations. There is a degree of overlap between the levels to ensure that appropriate units of competence cater for the above profiles. However, this might also service to encourage progression between the levels. Candidates will have to undertake new units to achieve each level. Candidates entering directly at Level 4 will have to take some units that demonstrate that they are practitioners, and not just managers or trainers. The Benefits of Advice and Guidance NVQs Employees will benefit from: A clear understanding of responsibilities The development of new skills The recognition of existing skills Opportunities to improve service Improvements to working practice Employers will benefit from: Improved staff performance Increased skill levels More highly motivated staff Improvements in the quality and service provided New ideas for future developments Centres Organisations wishing to offer the Advice and Guidance NVQs can either apply to OCR to become a registered centre (if they can provide the appropriate Internal Verifiers and Assessors) or work with an existing centre to assess the NVQ. Candidates If you wish to become a candidate for the NVQ you need to register with an OCR approved centre. Once you have registered with a centre they will provide guidance and support on your route to achieving your qualification. Information on approved centres can be obtained by ringing OCR s Information Bureau on Assessors Assessors must be occupationally competent, with a minimum of 2 years experience of working in the field in which they are assessing. Assessors must also hold or be working towards (within 18 months) achieving their Assessor award D32/D33.

4 Internal Verifiers Internal Verifiers should have a minimum of 2 years experience of working in the field in which they are verifying. Verifiers must also hold or be working towards (within 18 months) achieving their Internal Verifier award D34. External Verifiers External Verifiers are appointed by OCR to evaluate Centres, to monitor quality and to provide ongoing support. They will also have occupational experience in Advice and Guidance. Assessors and Verifiers must demonstrate commitment to maintaining occupational expertise, e.g. through membership of a professional body, which requires Continued Professional Development. What do I do next? Contact our Information Bureau for further information on or cib@ocr.org.uk The OCR fees booklet (A250), which includes charges for centre evaluation, candidate registration and certification is available from the OCR Information Bureau. A scheme book containing the standards and guidance on implementation of the NVQ will be available to purchase, from OCR Publications ( ). A combined scheme book and Assessment record for each level will be issued free of charge on candidate registration. The leaflet Becoming an NVQ Centre: Steps to Implementation (N61) will be useful to organisations considering applying to OCR to become a centre. Full details of how to apply are given in Notes for Guidance (L526) which is included in the Centre Approval Pack, which is available from our Operations at Coventry. There is a range of support available to Centres considering seeking approval to offer any of OCR s qualifications. For further information on any of OCR s qualifications, products and services contact the OCR Information Bureau or visit our website at Other qualifications offered by OCR which may be of interest to you include: Administration NVQ Levels 1-4 Customer Service NVQ Levels 2 and 3 Management NVQ Levels 3 and 4 Training and Development Levels 3 and 4 Further details and Information Briefs are available from the OCR Information Bureau.

5 QUALIFICATION FRAMEWORK ADVICE AND GUIDANCE LEVEL 2: 6 units required: 3 mandatory units, plus 3 from 4 optional units ADVICE AND GUIDANCE LEVEL 3: 8 units required: 4 mandatory units, plus 4 from 14 optional units ADVICE AND GUIDANCE LEVEL 4: 10 units required: 4 mandatory units, plus 6 from 16 optional units Unit No. Unit Title Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Unit 1 Establish contact with clients M Unit 2 Enable clients to gain access to the service O M Unit 3 Identify the requirements of clients O M Unit 4 Develop interactions with clients M Unit 5 Interact with clients using telecommunications O Unit 6 Provide information to clients M Unit 7 Assist clients to decide on a course of action O M Unit 8 Assist clients to plan the implementation of a course of action O O Unit 9 Assist clients to review their achievement of a course of action O O Unit 10 Support clients during their activities O Unit 11 Advocate on behalf of clients O Unit 12 Prepare to represent clients in formal proceedings O Unit 13 Present cases in formal proceedings O Unit 14 Negotiate on behalf of clients O O Unit 15 Liaise with other services O Unit 16 Assist clients to gain access to other services O Unit 17 Implement referral procedures for clients O Unit 18 Manage personal case load M Unit 19 Review own contribution to the service M Unit 20 Evaluate and develop own contribution to the service M M Unit 21 Provide support for other practitioners O Unit 22 Operate within networks O Unit 23 Undertake research for the service and its clients O Unit 24 Design information materials for use in the service O Unit 25 Provide information materials for use in the service O Unit 26 Maintain information materials for use in the service O O Unit 27 Determine the methods for disseminating information materials O Unit 28 Supply information materials with clients M Unit 29 Propose projects for the service O Unit 30 Secure resources for the work of the service O Units from other Standards Settings Bodies A21 (ENTO) Identify individuals learning aims, needs and styles O A22 (ENTO) Identify individual learning needs O B22 (ENTO) Design training and development sessions O B33 (ENTO) Prepare and develop resources to support learning O C23 (ENTO) Facilitate learning in groups through presentations and activities O C25 (ENTO) Facilitate individual learning through coaching O C27 (ENTO) Facilitate group learning O

6 OCR (Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations) Progress House Westwood Way Westwood Business Park Coventry CV4 8JQ OCR Information Bureau (Vocational Qualifications) Telephone: Facsimile: Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations is a Company Limited by Guarantee Registered in England Registered Office: 1 Hills Road, Cambridge, CB1 2EU Registered Company Number: OCR is an exempt Charity OCR (Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations) Head Office Telephone: Facsimile: OCR 2001 N32/0201/A854/0601/300