Organisation and Policy: Influencing Public Policy: Connexions: Frameworks for Personal Advisers
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Professional Framework for Personal Advisers
YALP's answers to the Connexions Service Questionnaire
1.a) Do you agree that there should be National Occupational Standards for the new profession?
The initial emphasis needs to be on training related to the emerging role, although whether the role adds to or is complementary to other roles needs to be clarified, especially in relation to redefining professional boundaries, as implied in the document. It is important to recognise that the role may be more of a redefinition of professional practice than a new profession. It is important that National Occupational Standards are established or amended to recognise the competence and professional credibility of those employed as personal advisers. However, it is equally important that they are only established once sufficient time has elapsed for the role to be clearly defined, monitored, evaluated through wider implementation and therefore defined as a new profession.
1. b) Are there relevant existing National Occupational Standards which could be used and tailored?
Yes.
Relevant National Occupational Standards could include those developed by PAULO for youth work
2. a) Should there be a National Centre or Professional College?
No.
Given the need for the training to reflect and respond to the differing needs of local partnerships and the demands this therefore creates, it would seem more appropriate to establish the training through a regional structure of centres. These could be contracted out to Higher Education establishments with close links to the DfEE.
2. b) Should there be a virtual college/centre?
Yes.
The network of centres could include a virtual college and other virtual training and development sectors
2. c) + 2. d) Should there be a physical college/ centre? Should there be a combination of both?
Refer to 2a
2. e) Do you see a role for allied professions becoming stakeholders in the centre?
Yes.
There is a role for allied professions as stakeholders, with the capacity to inform the training of personal advisers at a local level and the implementation of the emerging role and subsequent developments.
3. a) How can most efficient use be made of ICT?
ICT is useful in providing knowledge and information, relevant to the emerging role of Personal Advisers and as a primary means of communication between partnerships and the DfEE and in exchanging materials and good practice
3. b) What scope is there to link with existing websites to facilitate professional development?
This would need to incorporate the range of professions from which personal advisers are drawn and that would assist in training and development issues.
4. What are the implications for professionals working in closely related fields, such as the provision of information, advice and guidance for adults?
There needs to be a consistent approach, clarification of roles and the age at which adult services would be more appropriate and therefore how eighteen olds would fit in the broader category of 13-19, for whom this service is appropriate.
5. Additional comments on the professional framework for personal advisers
The professional framework needs to recognise relevant knowledge and experience within the different professions personal advisers will be drawn from, enabling a framework to be developed within a reasonable time-scale, that reflects and responds to the emerging role of the personal adviser. It is important that account is taken of the lessons learned from initiatives such as New Start, Learning Gateway and the more recent Connexions pilots. It is evident that a robust evaluation and quality assurance system will need to be in place. It is vital that due regard is given to the knowledge and experiences of the workers at the front line, in order that the emerging role will develop, to best meet the needs of the young people.
Organisation:
The Young Adult Learners Partnership (YALP) has been formed by agreement between two national development agencies, the National Institute of Adult and Continuing Education (NIACE) and the National Youth Agency (NYA)
Is your response confidential
No
