Please note that from 31 March 2009 this qualification will be replaced by the 3599 Work with Parents.

City & Guilds has developed a suite of awards that have been accredited by QCA on the new Qualification Credit Framework (QCF).  Following the QCF test and trials the levels 2 and 3 Award/Certificate in Work with Parents qualifications have been well received by all those who have been involved in the QCF test and trials.

City & Guilds has been working closely with Parenting UK, Parenting Forum Northern Ireland, Children in Wales and Lifelong Learning UK (LLUK) in the development of the new qualifications. LLUK, the Sector Skills Council for the Work with Parents Sector have endorsed the units and qualifications.

The units have been developed by subject experts and are based on the National Occupational Standards for Work with Parents. They have been tested and trialled on the QCF and have been well received by City & Guilds approved test and trialled centres.
 

What is the purpose of these qualifications?

The purpose of these qualifications is to equip those individuals working with parents with the essential skills and knowledge required to support parents in their parenting role. They enable individuals to support parents to improve their understanding of their own role and their children's social, emotional, intellectual and physical needs in the context of family life.

Who are these qualifications aimed at?

The qualifications are aimed at those in a supporting role, parenting practitioners, parent support advisors, parent liaison workers, family support workers and professionals such as social workers or health visitors. These qualifications provide essential knowledge and skills for those learners who work with parents in a paid or voluntary capacity, in a wide range of settings.

Learners at level 2 may be parents themselves who have been through parenting courses and are now parenting mentors, or they may work as part of a team supporting a level 3 practitioner.

Learners at level 3 may be delivering frontline services to parents/carers in children's centres and /or extended schools. The units can be used to accredit the skills and knowledge they already have. Learners may progress through the levels or onto other qualifications and training in a related field such as family learning, trainer/adult educator, community development work, youth and community development work, Connexions, children's centre parenting co-ordinator etc.

These qualifications also aim to:

• Support Government initiatives towards the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF). 
• Provide 'top-up' training and continuous professional development opportunities for staff working in the sector.
  
  

When will these qualifications be available to centres?

The qualifications will be available during September 2008.

How do I apply for approval to deliver the qualifications

Qualification/Fast Track approval
For centres currently offering the following qualifications:

• N/SVQs and VRQs in Children's Care, Learning and Development (3171/3174/3177)
• Level 3 Certificate in Work with Children (3596)
• NVQ in Health and Social Care pathway: Children and Young People (3172-32).

Download and complete the fast track approval form (doc.0.11mb) and return it to your local City & Guilds office.

Centres new to City & Guilds
Centres new to City & Guilds or those that have not previously offered the N/SVQs and VRQs in Children's Care, Learning and Development Care (3171/3174/3177) will be required to follow the full centre and/or qualification approval process. 

Full details on how to become a City & Guilds centre or how to apply for approval to run additional qualifications are available through our Becoming a City & Guilds centre section. 
 
Please note this qualification has now been extended until March 2009. More information can be found in the August latest news.