There are five mandatory units to be achieved

• Unit 1 - Information, Advice or Guidance in Practice - The aim of this unit is to provide an understanding of the differences between information, advice and guidance and the requirements of different clients and how these could be met. It will also help learners to gain knowledge of their boundaries and responsibilities in offering information, advice and guidance, including signposting, referrals and record-keeping.

• Unit 2 - Developing Interaction Skills for Information, Advice or Guidance - The aim of this unit is to provide an understanding of how to interact with clients, including appropriate and effective question styles, listening skills and non-verbal communication skills. It will also help learners to gain knowledge of the impact of values, beliefs and attitudes on the interactions and the importance of confidentiality and impartiality. It will also help learners to identify personal strengths and development needs. 

• Unit 3 - Signposting and Referral in Information, Advice or Guidance - The aim of this unit is to provide an understanding of the difference between signposting and referrals, when it is appropriate to refer or signpost an individual organisation’s procedures. It will also help learners to gain knowledge of good practice when signposting and referring, including recording, monitoring and evaluating signposting and referrals. 

• Unit 4 - Information, Advice or Guidance in Context - The aim of this unit is to provide 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. It will also help learners to gain knowledge on discriminatory practices and behaviours affecting specific client groups, barriers and how to overcome them. 

• Unit 5 - Skills for Advice Providers - The aim of this unit is to provide an understanding of the purpose and process of an advice interview, including the relationship between client and advisor, the advisor’s role, stages of the advice interview and client confidentiality. It will also help learners to gain knowledge of social policy in advice work and sources of information, negotiating effectively on a client’s behalf and support and action planning. 

 To complete this distance learning course at no charge you will need to match the following entry criteria:

• Are a resident of the EEU (European Economic Area) and have been for at least 3 years
• Will be undertaking your learning within England
• Are aged 19 or above
• There are no formal entry requirements for this course but you will need to have a good standard of English and maths
  

• Studying via distance learning means you can choose when and where you study.
• We recommended allowing a minimum of 5 to 6 hours per week to study this course in your own time.
• You will be given submission dates for each unit to help you stay on track and complete within the allocated timeframe of 6 months.  
• This course is delivered through online assessments and online learning materials.
• You are required to study the learning materials online and then answer the knowledge based assessments confirming your understanding of the topics.
• We encourage learners to reflect on their own experiences, work based or personal and include these within their answers where relevant and suitable.
• This is a level 2 qualification, answers should be formed in paragraphs and learners will be required to write in detail, using structured sentences demonstrating knowledge.

• Digital certificate - Included

• Hard copy certificate - £35.00
• A physical, high-quality copy of your certificate will be printed and mailed to you for only £35.00