Transcript Slide 1

Proposed Association of Democratic Services Officers
John Austin
Assistant Director of Corporate Governance
London Borough of Enfield Council
Association of Democratic Services Officers
Why have the ADSO?
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Potential market of up to 10,000 members
Raise profile of sector – professional body
Practitioner input into national policies
Major networking / development opportunities
Setting quality standards in professional
practice and training
Association of Democratic Services Officers
About the Association
 Target audience – all areas of Democratic
Services
 Aims of the Association
 Proposed structure: National Council /
Executive, sub-committees, regional
branches, subscription based
Association of Democratic Services Officers
Progress to date
 National Steering Group
 Draft Articles of Association
 Business plan
 Association database (650+) and growing!
 Website
 Association launch
Association of Democratic Services Officers
Association launch
 14th October
 Birmingham Town Hall
 Professional development
 Consultation and information on Association
 Aim to launch new qualification too
Association of Democratic Services Officers
New qualifications
NOS have been updated:
 Shorter and easier to understand
 Describe up to date practice
 Includes new areas such as Scrutiny
Consultation with Local Authorities
 DS staff want qualifications but not NVQs
 Some assessment in the workplace – good idea, but less
bureaucracy
 More testing of knowledge and understanding
 More like a professional qualification
Association of Democratic Services Officers
New qualifications
 Award and Certificate at level 3
 Diploma at level 4
 Awarded by Open University awarding body
 Both qualifications will be nationally
recognised within the new Qualifications and
Credit Framework (QCF)
 Existing NVQs will continue to be recognised
Association of Democratic Services Officers
What can you do?
 Register your interest in association
 Encourage others to do so
 Join association
 Take an active part
 Support events
 Promote within authority and regions
 Support new qualification
Association of Democratic Services Officers
Any questions?
Association of Democratic Services Officers