Community Volunteering Qualifications - Levels 1, 2 and 3

What is the CVQ?

The CVQ is a new, more flexible suite of qualifications to replace the ASDAN Certificate in Community Volunteering (CCV). They provide a means to recognise and accredit voluntary and community activities and can aid the recruitment and retention of volunteers, as well as rewarding their contributions within particular organisations or projects. There is also a single-unit, 2-credit qualification at Levels 1 and 2: Volunteering at an Event.

So far the Community Volunteering Qualifications have been accredited by the regulatory bodies in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (Ofqual, DCELLS and CCEA). In England the qualifications appear in the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF). The CVQ qualifications are currently being re-submitted to Ofqual for their approval to be extended and continue for another four or five years.

Level 1

ASDAN Level 1 Certificate in Community Volunteering (QCF) Acc No: 500/5882/4
ASDAN Level 1 Award in Community Volunteering (QCF) Acc No: 500/6211/6
ASDAN Level 1 Award in Volunteering at an Event (QCF) Acc No: 500/6188/4

The Level 1 qualifications are eligible for use in Foundation Learning provision.

Level 2

ASDAN Level 2 Certificate in Community Volunteering (QCF) Acc No: 500/7429/5
ASDAN Level 2 Award in Community Volunteering (QCF) Acc No: 500/7376/X
ASDAN Level 2 Award in Volunteering at an Event (QCF) Acc No: 500/6602/X

Level 3

ASDAN Level 3 Certificate in Community Volunteering (QCF) Acc No: 500/3955/6
ASDAN Level 3 Award in Community Volunteering (QCF) Acc No: 500/3957/X

The following UCAS Tariff points for CVQ at Level 3 have been agreed (for university entrance from September 2011):

  • Level 3 Certificate in Community Volunteering - 50 points
  • Level 3 Award in Community Volunteering - 30 points

Who is the CVQ for?

CVQ is for anyone aged over 14 who chooses to give their time for the benefit of the community without payment.

What organisations could offer the CVQ?

  • Schools, colleges, universities and adult education providers
  • Councils for Voluntary Services, Volunteer Centres and Third Sector training organisations
  • Charitable or Social Enterprises
  • Youth and community groups
  • Sports centres and associations
  • Health services
  • Extended schools looking for ways to accredit extra-curricular activities
  • Secure estates and other criminal justice provision

Qualification requirements

CVQ candidates achieve qualifications by gaining the required number of credits. Candidates need to achieve 8 credits for a full Award and 13 credits for the full Certificate, including the mandatory units. Unit Awards are also available.

Candidates produce a portfolio of evidence which is internally assessed and externally moderated.

Entry requirements

There are no specific candidate entry requirements. However, people may have completed or be working towards:

  • A period of volunteering community action/service or work experience
  • Community or Junior Sports Leaders Awards Level 1 or 2
  • Youth Achievement Award
  • Community Education programmes
  • Queen's Scout Award
  • V50 or VImpact Awards
  • Taster courses
  • Duke of Edinburgh's Award
  • GCSEs, A Levels or NVQs
  • Learning Champion training
  • Qualifications for volunteer Skills for Life Assistants

Content and Structure

The qualifications are unit-based and there are a wide choice of units available at each level. Each unit is credit rated; a credit is equivalent to 10 hours notional learning time (not necessarily contact time with a tutor/supervisor).

The following downloads are available:

Level 1 units

Unit

Title

Credit
Rating

1

Understanding what volunteering is about

1

2

Carrying out own volunteering role

1

3

Health and Safety for volunteers

2

4

Finding a volunteering opportunity

2

5

Understanding organisations that involve volunteers

1

6

Understanding the communities with which volunteers work

1

7

Understanding equalities issues within organisations that involve volunteers

2

8

Improving own performance as a volunteer

2

9

Communication skills for volunteers

1

10

Listening skills for volunteers

1

11

Volunteering and meetings

2

12

Presentation skills for volunteers

1

13

Volunteering at an event

2

14

Undertaking a voluntary fundraising activity

2

15

Time management and volunteering

2

16

Understanding stress management for volunteers

1

17

Volunteering and environmental awareness

1

18

Building on volunteering to develop a career

1

19

Volunteering and customer care

2

20

Food safety in the home and community

2

21

Teamwork skills for volunteers

2

Volunteering at an Event Award (Levels 1 and 2)

The QCF Award in Volunteering at an Event is a 2-credit (20-hour) qualification, which is appropriate for both adults and young people aged 14 and up who volunteer their time at an event (for example, a summer play scheme, community festival, sports tournament or general fundraising event and many others). The qualification has been approved by Ofqual, CCEA and DCELLS - the regulators for qualifications in England, Northern Ireland and Wales.

If you would like further information, please download the Volunteering at an Event Information Sheet and appropriate standards. Please click here for Level 1 Standards or Level 2 Standards.

Resources

ASDAN provides free guidance and evidence gathering resources. These are available on the secure area of the ASDAN website for centres registered to run the CVQ.

Training

Information about training, including forthcoming dates and online booking, is on the CVQ workshops page.

FAQ

Q: How much does this ASDAN qualification cost?

A: Click here to access the costs page, which features information about registration costs for ASDAN Qualifications. Please also take into account the annual centre registration fee, if your centre is not yet registered with ASDAN.

Q: How can my centre start running CVQ?

A: If you are not yet registered with ASDAN, your first step is to complete an Application for Centre Registration Form.

Current ASDAN centres need to ensure that CVQ is added to their centre's registration. To do this, please complete an Additional Networks Registration Form.

Following registration, you will be able to access additional resources and guidance via the secure area of the ASDAN website.

ASDAN also provides introductory training workshops and can arrange in-house training.

Secure Area for registered centres

Once your centre is registered with ASDAN for CVQ, you can access further information and resources via the website's Secure Area.

It contains all relevant updates, essential documents, meeting information and resources and enables you to:

  • Download resources, including forms, guidance and moderation checklists
  • Register your candidate numbers and names
  • View updated support/standardisation/moderation meeting dates
  • Purchase materials from the online ASDAN catalogue
  • Check the list of candidates registered from your centre

There is no limit to the number of people from a centre who can register for a Secure Area password. You can register for a password online, by clicking here to access the request form.

Additional Information

Train to Gain Funding

The CVQ qualification is listed on the LAD for Employer Responsive funding eligibility but only at Level 3. This means that it is up to the discretion of the local LSC, prompted by requests from training providers, whether to include these awards in their approved ‘Train to Gain' provision. For examples of ASDAN CVQ centres funded by Train to Gain, please contact Tim Leaman.

Useful websites:

Sports Leaders UK

The Sport Leaders UK Awards in Sports Leadership have now been ASDAN credit rated for entry into ASDAN Bronze and Silver Awards and the CoPE Qualification.

Sports Leaders UK are now recommending that all Sports Leaders candidates consider the ASDAN Community Volunteering Qualifications as a progression and lead on from these SLUK qualifications.

For further information please contact

ASDAN:
Tim Leaman
timleaman@asdan.org.uk
0117 9543975

Sports Leaders UK:
Dave Savidge
dsavidge@sportsleaders.org
07736 358 706