CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Information, Advice or Guidance

This nationally recognised qualification is ideal for anyone currently working in or looking to gain employment in information, advice or guidance roles such as a Customer Service Advisor, Support Worker or Peer Mentor. The course has been created by industry experts to help learners develop and improve the practical skills needed to successfully convey information, advice or guidance in a wide range of situations and sectors.

Learners will be introduced to key principles which will enable them to give information, advice and guidance to others. Learners will gain an understanding of discriminatory practices and how to overcome them, strengthen their knowledge of social policy in advice work and also cover signposting, referrals and record keeping.

Benefits for the business:

• Upskill staff members
• Increase teamwork and morale as staff become more aware, gain confidence and support colleagues
• The course offer can be used as a staff benefit or as part of a development scheme
• Increase employee’s knowledge base.

Benefits for the employees:

• Gain a nationally recognised qualification
• Enhance both personal skills and professional development
• Courses are delivered as distance learning, allowing learners to choose when and where to study
• Personal tutors are assigned to ensure learners have the support needed to succeed.

· This course is split into five manageable units. These are:

· Unit 1: Information, advice or guidance in practice

· This unit provides learners with an understanding of the differences between information, advice and guidance how to meet the various requirements of different clients. Learners will also 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

· In this unit learners will discover how to interact with clients, including appropriate and effective question styles, listening skills and non-verbal communication skills. Learners will develop an understanding of the impact of values, beliefs and attitudes on interactions and the importance of confidentiality and impartiality. This unit will also help learners to identify personal strengths and development needs.

· Unit 3: Signposting and referral in information, advice or guidance

· Learners will develop an understanding of the difference between signposting and referrals, when it is appropriate to refer or signpost an individual organisation’s procedures. Learners will also 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

· This unit provides learners with 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. Learners will also develop their understanding of discriminatory practices and behaviours affecting specific client groups, barriers and how to overcome them.

· Unit 5: Skills for advice providers

· This unit provides learners with 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. Learners will strengthen their knowledge of social policy in advice work and sources of information, negotiating effectively on a client’s behalf and support and action planning.