NVQ Accreditation

The South West Neighbourhood Resource Centre is a registered centre for the delivery of NVQs.

The centre staff are qualified NVQ assessors and verifiers and are able to support the NVQ programme. We also develop regional assessors to roll out the NVQ programme in their local area to ensure quick and effective delivery of these qualifications.

At the present time we are able to offer:

• Level 2 NVQ in Community Wardening
• NVQ Assessor Award (A1)
• NVQ Verifier Award (V1)

However, if you are interested in any other NVQ qualification please contact us. We may be able to help.

Why NVQs

Wardens and other community workers are recruited on their ability to communicate with people and their positive attitude to make a difference in the communities in which they work. They are judged on their ability to get things done and it is important that they have access to a qualification that measures this.

For people working in a 'hands on' role, the NVQ provides access to a relevant achievable qualification based purely on their ability to do their job to the required standard.

The benefits of NVQs include:

• The opportunity for candidates to achieve a nationally recognised qualification while carrying out their normal duties
• The qualification is accessible to all - it’s based on workplace assessment and does not require academic study
• Enhanced personal development with structured assessments and identification of development needs
• Improved standards of performance by developing staff against national standards
• Easily accessible to all staff, including part time staff and those who are unable to undertake study in their own time.

Community Warden NVQ

We offer the Level 2 Community Warden Award, and we encourage wardens to work towards their NVQ qualification. This qualification builds on the Certificate in Core Warden Training, also offered by the Resource Centre. The certificate ensures delegates are taught the knowledge and skills required to carry out the role of a warden, while the NVQ assesses the application of that knowledge and skill in the real world. Candidates who have already completed the core training certificate will already have met a substantial portion of the knowledge requirements for the NVQ.

To obtain this qualification wardens are assessed in the workplace against a variety of topics. There are six key areas which are assessed. These are:

• Health & Safety
• Planning
• Maintaining a Safe Environment
• Customer Service
• Giving and Providing Information
• Working with the Community

In addition, the wardens are assessed against a further two units which they can choose from a range of available options to best suit the work that they do.

Feedback from the assessments can be used to identify training needs, provide feedback, build confidence and recognise excellent performance.

For more information, or a copy of the standards, please contact the Resource Centre.

What Wardens Have Said About Achieving Their NVQ

Sue Smith

Neighbourhood Warden, Torbay

"At the grand old age of 53 years I never thought I would enjoy the process of going for a nationally recognised qualification.

The fact is that each module was attainable by doing the every day bits of the job and also an incentive to take a fresh look at my role.

I would recommend any warden to GO FOR IT!"

(Sue Smith is pictured, right, receiving her NVQ Certificate from Swindon Borough Council Chief Executive Gavin Jones.)

Ashley Nicholson

Lead Neighbourhood Warden, Stroud

"The NVQ 2 for community wardens was of excellent value to me, not only as a tool for me to work towards providing an excellent service to the community using the guidance of the NVQ and my assessor, but also as a line supervisor to enable me to understand the requirements of my team when completing the NVQ 2 in the future. In summary I now have a comprehensive understanding of the requirements of a community warden and would recommend this to other services looking to offer best value and best practice to their communities"

(Ashley Nicholson is pictured, right, being presented with his NVQ Certificate by Mark Walker, Resource Centre Manager.)

Assessor Qualification (A1 Award)

The Resource Centre is also able to deliver the Assessor Qualification (A1) to anyone who wants to be able to deliver NVQs. Requirements for assessing include occupational competence in the subject being assessed and that the assessor is in a position of responsibility (e.g. line manager, trainer) for the people they are assessing.

To achieve the award, assessor candidates develop competence in planning assessments, making judgements on competence and giving feedback to candidates. A qualified member of Resource Centre staff will explain what is required and coach them until they reach the required standard.

What Nick Brock, Lead Warden, Swindon Had To Say About Achieving This Award

"Learning how to be an assessor has made me concentrate on how the work is done, the detail. It has also taught me that the Wardens I have assessed are indeed, a well trained competent bunch, who know exactly what they are doing."

"When I first started the assessors award it all seemed quite hard to understand. " am I ever going to get it" I thought. I should not have worried, with expert training and support from the resource centre, I was able to pass my A1. Its an award I am proud to have achieved, and am now confident, and happy, as well as able to assess Wardens in my team."

If you are interested in this qualification please contact the Resource Centre.

Internal Verifier (V1) Qualification

The Resource Centre is also able to deliver the Internal Verifier qualification. The internal verifiers role is about ensuring the quality and standardisation of assessment. To achieve this award, candidates must already hold the Assessor (A1) qualification.

If you are interested in this qualification please contact the Resource Centre.

Further Information

To find out more about NVQs please e-mail the Resource Centre at swresourcecentre@swindon.gov.uk.