I recently passed my NVQ Level 3 Promoting Independence whilst working as a community support worker in mental health. I left my job at the end of April to start my own business, and am therefore now self-employed. However, I would love to do the A1 Assessors Award so that I can work as an Assessor along-side my new business. Is it still possible for me to do the A1 Assessors course given that I no-longer work for a company?
I have recently moved to a new area and am finding it very hard to get the right information on courses for the A1 Award given my circumstances. I was told by the NVQ department where I previously worked that it would still be possible for me to do the course at college or even online. Could you please advise me as to whether I can still do the A1 course and what I need to do to get the right information given my position.

Scarlett (Wakefield, West Yorkshire).

Hi Scarlett

To complete the A1 award you will need to assess 2 HSC candidates, either level 2 or 3 which will give you the evidence needed for the award. You will need to find a local training company that you can enroll with to complete this award. To train as a Care assessor you need to be occupationally competent and qualified in Care.

I hope that helps, please ask if you require further information

warm regards

W&P Care Team

HI CAN ANYBODY HELP I have to do a presentation on how to demonstrate competence in relation to c,d.g.of elem,ent A1:2 of the standards thanks sue

Dear Sue
For the presentation i would explain
c) exactly how I had assessed that the evidence that my candidate had given me was their own work
For example, I had observed them at work , I had asked them questions on the knowlege evidence that would confirmed that they understood the knowledge evidence and perhaps use a witness to state that they had observed this candidate at work meeting the standards in a particular area that I was assessing
d)Ii would prove this pc by showing that my assessment decision was made only using approved assessment methods, using a variety of assessment methods where necessary and that I had assessed the evidence against the national standards only.
g)This one carries on from the pc before. Give examples in your presentation of where you used different assessment methods to assess the evidence. For example, direct observation, APL, questions and workproducts.This shows your assessor that you have given your candidate opportunity to produce evidence in various ways and that you based your decision of competency on all this evidence that the candidate produced. Evidence that is relevant and current.
The more actual evidence you use in your presentation from your experience as a trainee assessor the easier you will find it
Hope all goes well
Wendy

hi wendy many thanks for your reply on 7th june ,I have just to complete the 37 quetions on evidence based knowledge I find the terminology of the questins difficult to grasp. many thanks sue

dear Sue
When looking at those knowledge questions keep relating them to the work that you have done with your candidates. For example in number 1 it asks you to identifywhere you have used different types of evidencewhen carrying out assessments.
In your work with your candidates you will have evidence where you have used observation, questions, witness statements APL. This is your evidence that you have identifired wth your candidate different types of evidence that can be used for the assessment.
Looking at Principles and Concepts
Question 1 asks how you measure existing level of competence.
You are only measuring against national standards, that is the relevent NVQ your candidates are working towards.
You have evidence from your candidates work and your assesing of it that you are only expecting any evidence they produce to meet the relevent NVQ standard,performance criteria or knowledge.
If they produce evidence of APL then you need to show how that evidence met the required standard. eg you may ask them questions on the course or you may observe the principles being put into action
The evidence you need to answer these knowledge questions will be in your assessment of candidates work.
Your Care IV or A1 assassor I am sure will help you to understand the terminology,.
Hope this was of some help
Wendy
number i asks how you measure existing levels of competence.

I am having trouble with no 2 assessor question can anyone help me. It says
How would you identify and compare different types of evidence when making your assessment decisions.

Dear Sheila,

You identify different types of evidence during the planning process with your candidate ie you look at how she is going to provide evidence
1. By you observing
2. By you providing a candidate reflection
3. By obtaining witness statement
4. By you asking her questions.

You compair these different types by assessing their strengths eg. No 1&4 would be strong evidence as you are the assessor making the judgement. No 3 would be strong or weak depending who was writing the statement. No.2 the reflection will need further questioning from the assessor or talking to colleagues involved or looking at work products to make this a strong piece of evidence.

I hope this helps.

hai
Will somebody help me or mail me a good assessment plan.


Manju Matthews

how to collect evidence in ways that are cost-effective and timely

am waiting

I would like to enroll to do my assessors course to obtain my A1 qualification - but i am finding it difficult to find a company where i can get enrolled. Could you please suggest a few good companies who do these courses in the North Devon area. Many thanks.

Hi Debbie

Unfortunately we can only go on the web, same as you, unless there is someone with local knowledge.

Have you tried the local adult education departments?

Dave

Hi,
I am looking for some advice on my A1 award,I started in October last year,but have only just got an idea of what was expected of me. From the start I have never been shown what to do within the salon session (assessing candidates in hair salon in college) I am a little confused with the Knowledge requirements questions 1-37,I understand that a lot of these questions are covered within the course via obs,witness testimony etc,but WHO decides that?? Do you leave these questions until last so that you dont go over and over them again???
Please help STUCK!!!!

Hi daisygrubb

It's a bit worrying that you don't know what to do "within the salon session"

Getting down to the basics, there are two NVQ's that you are involved in.

Firstly there is the NVQ that your candidates are doing - hairdressing? This is the one where you are supporting them and assessing their evidence against the standards.

Secondly there is the NVQ which you are completing, the A1 assessor award. You will gain the evidence for your portfolio through taking your candidates through theirs.

In other words, you need to get your candidates started and well into their award and then look at what your A1 standards are asking for. Mostly it will be a case of copying documents/evidence from your candidates' portfolios which demonstrate the competencies required by the A1 standards.

As for the 37 knowledge and understanding questions, you approach them in the same way as you do for your candidates, some knowledge can be demonstrated by you observing them, through personal statements or completed documents. It is YOU who decides what evidence is sufficient for your own portfolio, with your A1 assessor agreeing or otherwise.

If your assessor tells you to complete all the 37 questions, tell him/her from me that it is poor assessment practice. You are correct in leaving them till last, then you only need to answer the ones not covered by other evidence.

Hope this helps.

Dave