Information, Advice or Guidance – Level 2 Certificate
Information, Advice or Guidance – Level 2 Certificate
FREE (Funding Available)
Locations across Buckinghamshire |
Available all year round |
Weeks: (Course Dependent) |
Sessions: Morning, Afternoon & Evening |
Employers are often interested in candidates who can demonstrate an understanding of the importance of interacting appropriately with customers, clients and colleagues. Studying this course will provide an in-depth understanding of the key areas associated with giving effective IAG. Knowledge and skills learnt will include signposting, referrals, record keeping, confidentiality and communication/listening techniques.
Course Content:
Unit 1: Information, advice or guidance in practice
Learn about the various differences between information, advice and guidance and the requirements of different clients and how these are best met. It will also help gain in-depth knowledge of the boundaries and responsibilities present when offering information, advice and guidance, including signposting, referrals and record keeping.
Unit 2: Developing interaction skills for information, advice or guidance
Discover how to interact with clients, executing appropriate and effective questioning techniques, listening skills and non-verbal communication. Gain knowledge of the impact of values, beliefs and attitudes on any interactions that may be encountered, as well as the importance of confidentiality and impartiality.
Unit 3: Signposting and referral in information, advice or guidance
Gain an understanding of the difference between signposting and referrals – when it is appropriate to refer or signpost an individual organisation’s procedures. Employees will also gain knowledge of good practice when signposting and referring, including recording, monitoring and evaluating.
Unit 4: Information, advice or guidance in context
Gain an understanding of information, advice or guidance in the context of their own practice and a specific group of clients. Exploring different ways of assisting clients to explore and make choices. Knowledge on discriminatory practices and behaviours affecting specific client groups, as well as potential barriers and how to overcome them, are explored within this unit.
Unit 5: Skills for advice providers
This unit provides an understanding of the purpose and process of an advice interview, examining the relationship between client and advisor, the advisor’s role, stages of the advice interview and how to ensure client confidentiality. A key part of this section is gaining knowledge of social policy in advice work, negotiating effectively on a client’s behalf and support and action planning.
Distance Online Learning
Our distance learning courses are a new way for you to learn online. Choose from a wide range of subjects and improve your employability skills or develop your personal skills and professional knowledge.
This flexible learning method is personally tailored to support you to work on your individual skills gaps, using a combination of online learning and tutorials, with a fully qualified tutor. You will complete an online workbook, submit short assignments and get feedback from your tutor as you progress.
Do I need any qualifications to start this course?
No, you do not need any previous qualifications to be accepted onto the course. However we will ask you to complete a short English and maths assessment before the course starts. This is so we can be sure that the course is at the right level for you and we can support you to achieve your qualification. If you would like further information on maths and English courses with Buckinghamshire Adult Learning please see here where you can register to receive further information and advice.
How much does the course cost?
All learners will be funded. You must be at least 19 years old at 1/8/2023 and meet UK/EU residency requirements.
When does the course start?
Induction sessions are set up throughout the year. Register with us ASAP so we can give you more information.
How long is the course and how long will it take me to complete it?
You need to plan your learning to complete the work within 12 weeks. There will be a charge of £100 for those who don’t complete their course to cover learning materials and registration.
You will complete an online workbook which includes short assignments that you must submit to your tutor every two weeks. Your tutor will mark your work and give feedback online so that you know how much progress you are making.
What support will I get during my course?
You will work independently at your own pace to meet the deadlines set by your tutor. It is important that you meet the deadlines for assignments so that you complete the course within 12 weeks.
Your tutor is available to offer support by telephone, email or video calls as appropriate, so please don’t hesitate to contact us if you would like to have a chat about anything you are finding difficult.
How will my work be assessed?
Your tutor will mark your assignments and tell you if you have passed each section of the workbook or whether you need to revisit any questions. As part of our quality management process, at the end of your course your tutor’s assessments are moderated by another assessor and you will be informed if you have passed your qualification or whether you need to re-do any work. There are no exams.
What qualification will I achieve?
Courses are available at Level 1 or Level 2 and are accredited by NCFE, a nationally recognised Awarding body, who will issue the certificate to you.
How do I join?
I will need support/help with my learning, what is available?
We will always try to help if you have a physical disability or learning support need. Please see our Learning Support section for more details. Let us know when you enrol and speak to us in confidence to discuss your needs in full.
What happens if I can't attend my class?
It is important to attend your class promptly and regularly but:
- If you know you will be missing a class, please let your tutor know the week before if possible
- For last minute cancellations, please phone us on 01296 382403 and we will attempt and get a message to your tutor
If you miss a few sessions without letting us know, our staff will contact you to discuss the situation. If you are having any problems which affect your attendance or learning, please let your tutor know as soon as possible.
When do I pay for my course?
Payment is needed at enrolment to secure your course place. You can pay by cheque or debit/credit card (an administration fee of £30 will apply for dishonoured cheques).
If the course runs for 25 weeks or more you can spread the cost by paying in 3 equal instalments. You will need to pay the first instalment by credit/debit card, cheque or cash at the time of enrolling which will secure your place on the course. We will then send you a Direct Debit mandate. For courses over £150 but less than 25 weeks, you can still apply to pay by instalments.
Fees in the brochure with an * include exam costs. In all other circumstances, except for basic English and Maths learners will need to pay an additional fee for exams. The amount will be shown on the Course Information Sheet (CIS). Our fees are subsidised by the Education and Skills Funding Agency (funding body). Once you have enrolled, you will be given a receipt, a map and a CIS to confirm your place on the course. Please note, an annual £10.50 registration fee applies upon enrolment.
Can I get a qualification?
Look through our course titles and you will see many lead to a qualification. For some of these you have to take an exam.
Can I get a refund?
If it becomes necessary to either cancel or close your course within the first three weeks, for example due to low numbers, we will refund your fees in full.
Where courses are closed after the first 3 weeks, a pro-rata refund will be made to any student attending at the time who has attended at least 80% of their sessions. We will endeavour to let you know as soon as possible and any refund due will be made by crediting your credit/debit card or by cheque. It is not possible to make refunds in cash. All cancellations will be confirmed to you in writing or email.
If you change your mind and wish to withdraw from a course before attending a session, a full refund will be given within 5 days of enrolling. If the request is made at least 15 days before the course begins, a full refund less £25 to cover administration fee will be returned to you.
It may occasionally be necessary, for reasons beyond the control of Buckinghamshire Adult Learning, to change the course tutor, make slight changes to the timing or content of the programme, or move the course to an alternative venue within a reasonable distance of the advertised venue. Refunds will only be given in exceptional circumstances.
Can a course or class get cancelled?
Course cancellation: The minimum number of students for most of our courses is 9. If a class does not reach its minimum number of students, we may cancel the course or offer you the opportunity to reduce the number of weeks with no corresponding reduction in fee, or we may increase the fee to the small group rate of £9.50 per hour as an alternative to closing the class.
Class cancellation: Where a session is cancelled, for reasons beyond the control of Buckinghamshire Adult Learning, for example, if a staff member is unwell or extreme weather conditions, we will try to offer an additional class at another time. We will promptly contact you if this happens. If the majority of the students are able to attend the alternative session then no refund will be given for the missed session.
Bad weather cancellation: In the event of extreme weather conditions, information will be available on local radio station Three Counties Radio, by phoning 01296 382403 and the website.
I am an Overseas learner - Do I need to pay anything extra?
Learners who have not been living in the UK or EU residents who have not been living in the EEA for at least three years will need to pay the Overseas Student Rate for any course which is £12.00 per hour.
What parking is available at my course?
Many of our centres offer free parking but please note that in some cases this may be limited/unavailable during the daytime.
We ask all our learners to park considerately, especially at smaller venues, to avoid causing difficulty or offence to the neighbours. Special parking restrictions will be notified to all learners at venues where they may apply.
For more information on our centres including parking availability please visit our Centre Locations page.
Can I use my mobile phone in class?
Before your session begins, please either switch off or silence your mobile phone to avoid disturbing the group.
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FREE (Funding Available)
Locations across Buckinghamshire |
Available all year round |
Weeks: (Course Dependent) |
Sessions: Morning, Afternoon & Evening |
FREE (Funding Available)
Locations across Buckinghamshire |
Available all year round |
Weeks: (Course Dependent) |
Sessions: Morning, Afternoon & Evening |