Press Releases
Home-Start is the UK's first charity to be awarded a Quality Mark for teaching
8th June 2009
Home-Start is the first charity in the UK to receive a Quality Mark from Standards Verification UK (SVUK) - for two newly introduced qualifications. (For teaching).
Home-Start is a family support charity. It trains 5,000 volunteers every year to deliver its service for parents. The training is run by staff in Home-Start's network of 340 independent local schemes; they are trained by the national organisation.
In association with the University of Central Lancashire, Home-Start has been awarded a Quality Mark for a qualification equivalent to the new overarching professional standards for teachers, tutors and trainers in the Lifelong Learning Sector.
The two new Home-Start qualifications are:
- Preparing to Teach in Home-Start
- Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Home-Start.
Working alongside the University, Home-Start developed the two programs and the assessment criteria for the Home-Start workforce.
Zoe Munby, Director of Learning and Quality at Home-Start UK said, "Teaching and training is important to Home-Start because Home-Start volunteers receive extensive, in-depth induction training, with optional accreditation. The new qualifications will contribute to the quality of that training, as well as providing evidence of Home-Start's commitment to matching the standards of the Lifelong Learning sector."
A Quality Mark from SVUK demonstrates to learners, staff and the wider sector that a scheme meets national standards.
Zoe Munby said: "I am delighted that Home-Start has received this recognition. The new qualifications are proving very popular with Home-Start staff. It is important to have an external recognition of the quality of the training which our volunteers receive, and also important that staff themselves receive this recognition for their professionalism."
-ENDS-
Notes to Editor
Zoe Munby is available for interview. Please contact national press office below.
Picture caption: Pictured left to right is: Alison Barton, University of Central Lancashire, representatives from SVUK, Zoe Munby and Ann Pemberton, Home-Start.
Home-Start
Home-Start is the UK's leading family support charity. We recruit and train volunteers to support parents with at least one child under the age of five. Our home visiting work is unique in the UK. The charity was set up in 1973 and now supports nearly 35,000 families and almost 70,000 children each year. More than 15,000 volunteers visit families in their own homes - parents supporting other parents in a variety of situations including isolation, bereavement, multiple births, illness or disability.
Standards Verification UK
SVUK is part of Lifelong Learning UK, the Sector Skills Council for Lifelong Learning. SVUK is responsible for the verification of initial teacher training and other forms of workforce training and development.
Press Contact
National contact:
Jo McLeish, Press and PR Officer t: 0116 258 7933; e: jmcleish@home-start.org.uk
