Hi there

Just doing my A1 training and very excited about it. Meeting my first candidate next week. Any tips?

Also, it looks like the 2nd candidate works nights only. Any tips on how to work with this one?

Hi James

Now is the time to put it all into practice!

I strongly recommend that you use a checklist for your first visit to ensure that you cover all that you need to. Take your time, avoid jargon and work through it logically.

What I do is pick a fairly straightforward unit and show the candidate how he/she can gain the evidence for it, explaining the different types of evidence and the difference between knowledge and understanding and performance criteria.

I don't usually dive into cross referencing until we have our first piece of evidence to assess, it makes more sense then.

If you're a bit uncertain about assessing the evidence at first, tell the candidate that you will assess it at your next visit and then take it home with you and work through it at your own pace. You are bound to miss bits at first but you will soon learn to recognise where the standards overlap from unit to unit so that you can assess holistically.

If you are not sure about something, just say "I'm not certain about this, I'll have a word with my countersigning asessor and get back to you at our next meeting", rather than get it wrong.

I advise getting your countersigning assessor to have a look at the portfolios early on so any issues or queries can be raised quickly before too much evidence has been assessed.

There is only one tip about your candidate working nights - you will have to visit at night, it's as simple as that. It is the assessor's responsibility to arrange visits to fit in with the candidates working schedule, that's in the A1 standards.

Any assistance required, just shout.

Good luck.

Dave

Thanks Dave

Hey Dave

Have you got a checklist you use or give to A1 candidates? I can do one myself but why reinvent the wheel.

Is the Institute of Assessors and Internal Verifiers worth joining?


Thanks

James

Hi James

I have one that I use for NVQ candidates, not actually for A1 but no reason why it cannot be used. I usually go through the induction and then get the candidate to sign the induction checklist which I find useful to make sure I've covered everything and also provides an audit trail for the EV.

Send me your e-mail address and I'll forward it.

Haven't heard of the Institute but haven't felt lost without it for five years. I am a member of the Institute for Learning but, again, not sure of it's value.

Dave

ooops, just seen your e-mail address in your profile so I'll send that checklist.

Thanks. Was designing one to use when you emailed me yours. Was pretty similar. Will help me greatly.

Hey both,
I have just started my A1, any chance i could have a copy of your checklist?

Hi

My email address is in my profile. If you email me I will send you some info.

James

Hi James.. I completed my A1 last Aug .. both my candidates worked Nights. I found it hard to observe some of the pc's, that usually only happen when there are a few people about. I met them at the start of their night shift, 30mins before they started for planning and feedback then when I did an observervation the candidate would arrange for me to observe the first few clients of the evening. Obviously you need to discuss which clients would be suitable to show you the PC's you need to see. You can (if you don't mind getting up with the birds) go for the end of their shift in the morning. I have found that if their night shift start at 10pm it is best to give feed back in the morning after their shift, other wise it makes a late night for you, also as far as observing late at night you will find that most of the activity has finished. You should find that the candidate will be a bit flexable because after all they also want to complete. Sometimes if you ask they will arrange to do a short day shift if towards the end you are struggling to observe some of the pc's. You can also use the Question option for some as well. Hope this helps. Enjoy..Andrea

Thanks Andrea

I'm stuck in this question. Can someone help me, please?

Describe how this individual's identity, self esteem and self image is affected by their communication difficulties

Hi smile,

Imagine if you had a speech impediment or a sight or hearing impairment. How might you feel about communicating with people?

Some people are unable to read or write. They may see themselves as stupid and feel that they have less worth than others.

Think about how these things affect how they think others see them, how their self esteem might be affected and how they see themselves.

Hope that helps

Aunty Sue

Hi, I have just started my A1 assessors course and although I have not been allocated any candidates as yet I would like to prepare myself. So please could you kindly e-mail me a copy of your A1 checklist. Many Thanks.

isettaman
Hi Dave

I am undertaking my A1 and have discovered your method of using a checklist, I was wondering if you could kindly send me a copy, which will assist myself with preparation for my candidates.

Regards
Mac

Dave,
Hello
Caraibrit here. I'm due to meet my candidates this week and haven't got a clue what to say or do, short of what has been said on the forum. The checklistt for initial meeting? Could you forward a copy to me?
Every bit helps
Thanks,
Caraibrit.