NVQ:Advocacy
OPTION 1.DEVELOP A NEW NATIONAL VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATION (NVQ) IN ADVOCACY
National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) are the only qualification to assess individual competence. They are practical qualifications based on being able to do a job. There are five levels of NVQ, ranging from Level 1, which focuses on basic work activities, to Level 5 for senior management. NVQs are based on National Occupational Standards which describe the skills, knowledge and understanding that is expected of anyone working in the sector the NVQ covers.
NVQs in Health and Social Care are unitised and require candidates to complete four mandatory units plus 2 optional units (for level 2) or 4 optional units (for level 3)
NVQs are well known to the sector and a significant proportion of advocates felt that a new NVQ in Independent Advocacy would be an attractive option. However, there are two reasons which prevent this option being chosen. Firstly, awarding bodies have suggested that they would require in excess of 1000 learners per year to make a new NVQ viable. The relatively small number of learners (approx 400 - 500) would dissuade awarding bodies from delivering this course. Secondly, Sector Skills Councils who have a lead responsibility in developing new NVQs advised their current philosophy is to join up existing NVQs so they are more accessible and transferable and would not consider supporting the creation of a new NVQ until late 2008.