Introduction Connexions Somerset runs the Accredited Centre South West (ACSW) providing NVQs at a variety of levels. NVQs are offered in the following areas:
Advice & Guidance
Health & Social Care
Customer Service
Business Admin
Management
Individuals or organisations Although ACSW has a background in working in the advice and guidance sector, the NVQs offered by ACSW are open to individuals and organisation working in any sector.
Schools Business Administration level 1 and Customer Service level 1 NVQs can be achieved in a realistic working environment (RWE) which includes a school setting. By offering these awards to young people in schools they are given an alternative to some of the traditional routes and help schools to meet their Vocational Skills target which is part of their scoring system
Background / History of ACSW Initially founded in 2002 as the accredited centre for three Connexions companies (Somerset/Dorset/Cornwall & Devon) and providing NVQs within Advice and Guidance and Learning and Development, and were one of the forerunners to offer the new LDSS award recognising its value for those staff working within the area of Children’s Services in response to the “Every Child Matters” paper and recommendations for workforce development i.e. including the challenge to breakdown the barriers for staff moving within roles across organisations to retain expertise.
ACSW has carefully built a team of assessors and verifiers that uphold the very best standards in assessment. The Centre has worked hard to develop a sound working partnership with its awarding body OCR.
Supporting this is an administrative team that ensures all the background work runs smoothly, including relevant reports to our assessment team and customers alike.
Partnerships A learning programme franchise between ourselves and Somerset College
provision of learning mentor pathway for the LDSS award for staff within North Somerset
provision of Advice & Guidance NVQs for Somerset County Training (SCT)
currently providing assessment for Connexions Somerset staff
For further information on the Accredited Centre South West (ACSW) contact: Accredited Centre South West 1 Mendip House High Street Taunton TA1 3SX Tel: 01823 423453 training@connexions-somerset.org.uk
Further information on The Accredited Centre South West (ACSW) is also contained in a downloadable pdf. To download a copy please click here
