This news contains the following information:

• Rationale of changes from the Initial Award in Supporting the Development Needs of Homeless and Vulnerable People (3594-05) to the Level 2 Certificate in Supporting the Development Needs of Vulnerable People (3806)
• Overview of the new Level 2 Certificate for People Supporting the Development Needs of Vulnerable People (3806)
• Transitional arrangements from 3594-05 to 3806
• Qualification material/documentation
• Registration and certification dates for 3594-05 and the new 3806
• Fast track approval process
• Last examination date for the 3594-056 examination paper

Rationale of changes from the Initial Award in Supporting the Development Needs of Homeless and Vulnerable People (3594-05) to the Level 2 Certificate in Supporting the Development Needs of Vulnerable People (3806)

After intensive consultation with the (Sector Skills Body) SSB, the (Qualification and Curriculum Authority) QCA, the LSC (Learning & Skills Council) and a leading consultant from a consortium of centres, City & Guilds has developed a new and improved qualification for those who work with Homeless and Vulnerable people.

The new standards are mainly based on the Level 2 Initial Award in Supporting the Development needs of Homeless and Vulnerable people (3594-05) that already exists. Some felt that the current qualification did not fully assess the skills learners display, and consequently additional units have been added to this newly revised qualification. This new/replacement qualification has 4 extra units (in addition to the original 5) and some of the existing units have been extended.

Overview of the new Level 2 Certificate for People Supporting the Development Needs of Vulnerable People (3806)

. This qualification is being proposed to cover the needs of individuals who are aiming to work with homeless and vulnerable people, providing that they have access to an appropriate work setting.
. The qualification is designed to meet the learning needs of new or existing entrants in the sector. It provides the introduction and foundation for a career in the sector and enables access to N/SVQs and other awards.
. There are also opportunities to gather evidence for and progression to the Key/Core Skills units. It is expected that staff or volunteers from a wide range of service situations in the sector (eg housing, support, training, resettlement or outreach work) will benefit from completing this qualification.

Learners need to complete the following nine core units:
Unit 1  Principles of Human Development and Learning of Vulnerable   People

Unit 2  Introduction to Providing Structured Supported Learning to    Vulnerable People

Unit 3  Effective Communication with Vulnerable People

Unit 4  The Working Environment and Vulnerable People

Unit 5  Developing as a Support Worker of Vulnerable People

Unit 6  Access to the Service for Vulnerable People

Unit 7  Support the Care, Protection and Well-being of Individuals of   Vulnerable People

Unit 8  Theory and Practice of Coaching Vulnerable People

Unit 9  Promoting Learning of Vulnerable People within the    Organisation

Transitional Arrangements from 3594-05 to 3806

Candidates who have already achieved the 3594-05 may wish to upgrade to the 3806. If this is the case, they will need to complete the extra 4 units of the new qualification along with any other additional elements that have been added to the initial 5 units. A mapping exercise can be done with 3594-05 candidates who are interested in achieving the additional units (units 6,7, 8 & 9) to clearly identify the areas they will need to cover under the new qualification.

Qualification material/documentation

The qualification handbook for the new certificate (3806) will be available to download from its own qualification web page within the Community > Community Development Work (subject > sub-subject) area of our website www.cityandguilds.com.

Registration and certification dates for 3594-05 and the new 3806

New dates for:
Level 2 Initial Award in Supporting the Development Needs of Homeless and Vulnerable People (3594-05)
Last registration: 31/12/2006
Last certification:  31/12/2007

Dates for new qualification -
Level 2 Certificate in Supporting the Development Needs of Vulnerable People (3806)
Accreditation start date: 01/10/2006
Accreditation end date: 30/09/2009
Certification end date:  30/09/2011

Fast Track Approval Process

Centres that are already approved to offer 3594 can be fast tracked onto the 3806. A fast track form can be found below in Related Docuements (along with the a PDF version of this news) and will need to be sent to your regional/national office. Additional copies of the 3806 fast track approval form can also be obtained from your regional/national office.

Last examination date for the 3594-056 examination paper

The last opportunity to take the examination question paper 3594-056 for the Initial Award: Level 2 Certificate in Supporting the Development Needs of Homeless and Vulnerable People (3594-05) will be;
13 March 2007.