Level 4 in Independent Advocacy Practice:
the national advocacy qualification
This is the independent advocacy qualification which is required by most independent advocacy services and commissioners of independent advocacy services.
The NICE Guidelines for advocacy services state that “Advocates should complete the National Qualification in Independent Advocacy“. It recognises the need for independent advocates to be trained and assessed across their knowledge and practice skills to a level 4 standard.
City & Guilds are the only awarding organisation that offer this nationally recognised independent advocacy qualification, and its completion denotes ‘qualified’ status for practising independent advocates.
This is a vocational qualification and will require each learner to prepare a portfolio of evidence from their work experiences to establish their competence. So, you must have access to an independent advocacy role and be supporting clients. This is usually as a paid advocate, but you may also be performing a voluntary role in a service.
You must also have sufficient advocacy clients to prove your competency. So generally, we wouldn’t start assessing your practice until you have completed at least 12 substantive cases. You can enrol for the Level 4 independent advocacy qualification as soon as you start your role as an independent advocate. We can plan how and when to start assessing your practice as you become more experienced and acquire more cases.
We provide support for up to 2 years, but most independent advocates will complete their portfolio in 12 – 18 months
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The Level 4 advocacy qualification requires you to complete 3 mandatory units, and 1 optional unit.
The 3 mandatory units include a broad understanding of all forms of statutory advocacy roles, and non-statutory roles:
- Unit 401 Principles and practice of Independent Advocacy
- Unit 402 The legislative framework that impacts upon the independent advocacy role
- Unit 403 Entitlements to independent advocacy
These 3 units will ensure that all qualified independent advocates understand the dos and don’ts of independent advocacy. They include what standards and principles apply to all models of independent advocacy, and a good understanding of the key elements of relevant law which an advocate must understand to be able to provide a client with accurate information about rights and options.
In addition to the 3 mandatory units, you must select 1 optional unit from the following choices:
- Unit 404 Independent mental capacity advocacy (IMCA)
- Unit 405 Independent mental health advocacy (IMHA)
- Unit 406 Independent advocacy within adult social care (Care Act)
- Unit 407 Independent advocacy with children and young people
- Unit 408 Independent complaints advocacy
- Unit 409 Community advocacy
Handa Training can provide all these optional units, having highly experienced trainers and assessors who have supported over a thousand learners through to qualified status.
Once you have completed all 4 units you acquire the Level 4 in Independent Advocacy Practice and can regard yourself as a ‘qualified’ advocate.
This advocacy qualification is required by legislation through statutory guidance, codes of practice, relevant regulations and is typically a contractual requirement in commissioned services throughout England and Wales. Most advocacy services will be obliged to provide suitably qualified advocates “within a reasonable period of time”. Many advocates are recruited unqualified, but then trained and supported by their employers to acquire this advocacy qualification within 12 – 18 months whilst they perform their role.
You can choose to select more than one optional unit if you need additional specialist knowledge and have cases for your portfolio in that area of work. You can also do a standalone optional unit, for more information click here
Our prices are very competitive! Please compare our offer with others before you make your choice.
Level 4 Advocacy Qualification –
3 mandatory units plus 1 optional unit – £1,195 (+VAT) or subscription of £275 (+ VAT) per quarter to maximum of £1,375 (+ VAT).
3 mandatory units plus 2 optional units – £1,545 (+VAT) or subscription of £275 (+ VAT) per quarter to maximum of £1,925 (+ VAT).