The Revised CiLCA Qualification

Elisabeth Skinner SLCC: Academic Leader 1

Overview

• The background to refreshing CiLCA • Level 3 of the National Qualifications Framework • apt awards (sic) • A refreshed curriculum, Portfolio Guide and Handbook for Trainers and Assessors • Guiding principles • The process • Pilots and launch • Discussion 2

Background

Why refresh CiLCA?

• Review proposed in 2010 • Occupational standards devised in 2012 • Need for new quality assurance body (2012) • Concerns that it was dated • Need for clarity over the level for transferability • Need for refreshed assessment policy 3

Level 3 and NQF

National Qualifications Framework (1997) • Alignment needed to aid recognition • Original CiLCA vaguely at Levels 2 and 3 – Some tasks too simplistic • New ILCA positioned at Level 2 • Refreshed CiLCA at Level 3 • Community Governance: – CertHE is Level 4 – Foundation Degree is Level 5 • BA Hons at Level 6 4

Level 3

• Describe relevant knowledge in some detail • Demonstrate skills and understanding by using that knowledge in a professional setting and in a broad range of different activities. • Assessment includes – written explanations that show an accurate and detailed understanding – examples of relatively complex work undertaken in the workplace • Familiar qualifications at Level 3 are AS/A-levels, NVQs Level 3 and BTEC or OCR Nationals. 5

apt awards

An accrediting and awarding body • Formerly OCN south west (Plymouth) • Benefits – Advice on Level 3 – Quality assurance – Good record of personal service – Willing to work with low volume qualifications – Competitive costs for service – Training for assessors 6

Refreshed CiLCA

Occupational standards tested at Level 3 Learning outcomes Assessment criteria Evidence 7

Refreshed documents

The Portfolio Guide 2015 • Consultation concluded; minor amendments emerging from pilots • 35 tasks in the assessment plan • More detailed explanations and clearer policies including appeals/complaints The Guide for Trainers and Assessors • Aiming for a single guide • Consultation with trainers and assessors is current 8

The process

• Choice of format for submission (hard copy, memory stick or online portfolio) • SLCC continues to manage submission and allocation to assessor • Assessment complete within 4 to 6 weeks (over marking) • Feedback – Award - no distinctions – Award with feedback on minor errors, omissions and misunderstandings – Feedback on improvements required before re submission 9

Guiding principles

• Flexibility – No value in spoon-feeding precise answers – Assessed on fitness for clerkship – Scope in marking for minor errors, omissions or misunderstandings • Links to new Local Council Awards Scheme • CiLCA 2015 is the qualification • Students require training – Knowledge (ILCA, CALCs etc) – Assessment technique • More training for CiLCA facilitators 10

Pilots and launch

Seeking pilots now • Portfolio to be complete by January 31 st • Assessed by February 14 th • Fees waived unless deadline not met • Amendments to all documents by February 28 th • Approval by IDB, DCLG and apt awards • Launch after March 31 st (transitional arrangements to be agreed) 11

Discussion

• Review assessment plan • Discuss clarification required (jot down feedback) • Consider piloting • Prepare comments and questions 12