Personal Effectiveness Qualifications launch: updates, training and free resources

ASDAN’s Personal Effectiveness Qualifications (PEQ) are here.

Availble for registrations from 1 January 2026, the refreshed suite builds on the strong foundation of the Certificate of Personal Effectiveness (CoPE) and Award of Personal Effectiveness (AoPE), continuing to equip learners with the six ASDAN core skills: learning, communication, decision-making, thinking, team working, and self-awareness.

What’s new and what’s the same?

Educators familiar with AoPE and CoPE will find much continuity in PEQ:

Portfolio-based assessment remains central, with centres assessed and quality assured by ASDAN.

the focus on practical, real-world skills continues, helping learners prepare for further study, training and employment

units such as communication, teamwork, and decision-making remain key areas of overlap

At the same time, there are exciting new developments including:

a refreshed structure offering Award, Extended Award, and Certificate sizes across Entry 3 to Level 3.

new units like Wellbeing in learning and Delivering a project, which allow for holistic, project-based assessment that can integrate career exploration and work experience.

greater flexibility to support personalised and iterative learning.

external quality assurance by ASDAN.

The updated PEQ suite will be replacing AoPE, CoPE, and Personal and Social Effectivene (PSE). Final registration dates can be found on these course pages.

For a full breakdown of the similarities and differences, see our detailed qualification mapping document.

Free resources

To celebrate International Literacy Day 2025, ASDAN have released a free resource pack featuring a challenge taken directly from the new PEQ course. This activity encourages learners to develop communication and thinking skills, while building confidence in applying literacy to meaningful, real-world contexts.

It’s a perfect opportunity for educators to experience how the refreshed PEQ can bring learning to life in the classroom.

Training and information sessions

We are running information sessions in September and October 2025. These will introduce the refreshed PEQ suite, explain the transition from CoPE and AoPE, and provide practical guidance on delivery. Register your interest in attending.

Later in the year, we will also host training workshops to support educators in embedding PEQ into their curriculum, making full use of its flexible, real-world design. Head over to our training page to see the available sessions and book your place.

Moving forwards

Abingdon House School are one of the many ASDAN members currently using CoPE that are looking forward to making the progression to PEQ:

“There are modules on independent living, health and fitness, employability, and enterprise – it all feeds into the broader life skills we’re developing with our learners. And the skills units are brilliant for building resilience, problem-solving and self-directed learning... we’re really excited to get started with it next year.”

Get involved

Our Personal Effectiveness Qualifications offer fresh opportunities to develop core skills, improve outcomes and recognise real achievements through portfolio-based, personalised assessment.

With the launch this month (September 2025) and registrations opening in January 2026, now is the time to explore how PEQ can benefit your learners. Complete this expression of interest form and we will be in touch.