Advice and Guidance Quote of the Day

This is a quote which is useful for all those individuals working in the information, advice and guidance sector:-

As a plant needs water and light to grow, so too human beings need healthy self-esteem

For more information on Call of the Wild's advice and guidance courses visit the website

The Importance of Communication by telephone for Advice and Guidance Practitioners

 A good telephone manner is an important communication skill for those who have to receive or make calls as part of their job.This is especially important for advice and guidance practitioners. the advice and guidance courses we run focus on communication skills

Communication is more difficult on the telephone than in a face-to-face conversation as we cannot see the other person and watch their body language. It is easier to get distracted. It is also tempting to try and carry on with other tasks at the same time as speaking on the telephone which makes it hard to concentrate.

Can you think of an occasion when you telephoned an organisation and were impressed by how your call was handled? What factors impressed you?

Can you think of an occasion when you telephoned an organisation and were disappointed by how your call was handled?

Telephone Techniques – Receiving a Telephone Call 

-        Greet the caller with good morning/afternoon/evening and give the name of the organisation for an external call. Some organisations like employees to give their name as well. For an internal call, give your name or the name of the Department.

• -          Ask How may I help you?

• -          Sound bright and friendly: try smiling when you answer a call

• -          Keep a pen and paper next to the telephone to enable you to take notes and ensure that information which is required frequently is close at hand

• -          Don’t keep the caller hanging on for a lengthy period while you search for information. Tell them what you are doing and if necessary offer to call back

• -          At the end of the call summarise what has been agreed and check that the caller is satisfied

• -          Thank the enquirer for calling and let then put the receiver down first. This shows good manners and gives the caller a final chance to ask questions.

-          Before making a call ensure that you have all the relevant paperwork to hand

-          If the call is complex make notes of the points you wish to raise in advance

Taking Messages

-          If callers wish to speak to a member of staff who is not available offer to help or take a message.

-          Messages should include the following:-

1.       The caller’s name, job title, organisation and telephone number

2.       A brief description summary of the message

3.       The name of the person who is to receive the message

4.       The date and time of the call

5.       Your name

Answer-phones, Voicemail and central Numbers

-          Take care when leaving an answer-phone or voicemail message. Make points in a logical order and don’t forget to leave your name and telephone number

-          Deal promptly with answer-phone or voicemail messages left for you or your organisation.

For more information on Call of the Wild's advice and guidance courses visit the website

Relevant Quote for Advice & Guidance Practitioners

“If you don’t

know where

you are going

you will

probably end

up somewhere

else.”

(Laurence J Peter, 1919-90, Canadian academic and

expert on organised hierarchies, from his 1969 book

The Peter Principle)

Looking for information on advice and guidance courses then visit this webpage.

Great Quotes

“If you don’t

know where

you are going

you will

probably end

up somewhere

else.”

(Laurence J Peter, 1919-90, Canadian academic and

expert on organised hierarchies, from his 1969 book

 

For information on advice and guidance courses visit the Call of the Wild website

Negotiating Skills Exercise

Negotiating Skills Exercise

1	The task of negotiation is to agree at the other side’s minimum settlement point.
	Generate options that make the mutual pie larger.
2	The party that needs the deal more has less power.
	Base decisions on an objective standard - market value or expert opinion.
3	Act as if the other side were your partners genuinely interested in solving the problem.
	Somebody has to open but make sure it’s not you.
4	Negotiation has more to do with threat and emotion than persuasion.
	Avoid people’s emotions becoming entangled with the objective merits of the problem.
5	Explore interests on both sides. See the other's point of view.
	Never make the first offer.
6	Never give anything away for free – always demand something in return
	Come to the table with at least four prepared options.
7	Never disclose your bottom line.
	Sharing of information allows both parties to work together more efficiently
8	Listen to the other side, acknowledge their points and feelings, agree with them, show them respect.
	A negotiator’s sole objective is to gain all the money on the table

For more information on what's available on our E-learning academy then phone us on 01639 700388 or e-mail info@callofthewild.co.uk. 
For more on our advice and guidance courses click here

Motivating Others

How to Motivate Your Staff

You can’t be a leader without followers so you have to understand how to motivate people to buy into your agenda. Motivation is what makes employees act in certain ways so how can you achieve this? Understanding people’s motives – their reasons for doing something is the key to becoming a good leader.
 One of the main theories relating to motivation is Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.  People have needs. A need is a lack of something- something we want. This produces the drive and desire which motivates us to satisfy that need. Satisfying this need, or getting the thing we want or lack is the goal.
Maslow’s theory of motivation is called the “hierarchy of needs”. Maslow believes that people have five main needs in the following order of importance:-

• Physiological Needs –

i)        the need to eat
ii)      the need to drink
iii)    the need to work
iv)    the need to sleep
v)      the need to reproduce

• Safety Needs –

i)             the need for shelter
ii)            the need to fell secure

• Belonging Needs –

i)             the need to feel part of a group
ii)            the need for acceptance

• Self-Esteem Needs –

i)             the need to feel good about themselves
ii)            the need to be recognised for their achievement

• Self-Realisation Needs –

i)             the need for personal fulfilment
ii)            the need to grow and develop
Maslow believes that people would not move on down this list to be motivated by the next set of needs until the previous set(s) had been satisfied. There are other theories in a similar vein to Maslow. Another theory by Alderfer categorised these needs into three categories:-

• existence needs
• relatedness needs
• growth needs

Leaders and managers need to have this level of understanding if they are to be in a position to motivate their staff. However to be a good leader and manager you need to recognise that people are different. To display the traits of a good leader you need to recognise that some people come to work to earn money (existence needs) and have no desire either to get on with others (relatedness needs), or earn promotion (growth needs). Others work to meet people and have a personal challenge and sense of achievement ( relatedness needs). Others work to gain experience to get promotion (growth needs). For others it maybe a combination of these.

Motivating People with Existence Needs

• Pay people enough
• Workplace safe and good environment
• Incentives – employee of the month
• Set goals
• Treat people as individuals

Motivating People with Relatedness Needs

• Show respect
• Delegate – give responsibility
• Give recognition
• Communicate
• Involve people in decision-making
• Encourage ideas
• Praise people
• Get to know people
• Team building days and office away days
• Celebrate success

Motivating People with Growth Needs

• Offer support to complete new tasks
• Give staff and employees a challenge
• Work should be made interesting
• Encourage people to think for themselves
• Keep people informed
• Ask people what motivates them
• Stretch people with new work
• Offer training where possible

How Do you Know When Staff and Employees are Demotivated

• Increased sickness
• Increased absenteeism
• Late
• Poor quality of work
• Lack of communication
• Attitude
• Frustration

Why Do People Become Demotivated

• Lack of recognition
• Boredom
• Lack of involvement
• Not being listened to
• Lack of encouragement
• Lack of training
• No delegation
• Criticism
• Too much work

If you as the leader or manager can bear these issues in mind then your own performance and that of the team will be much improved.
For more information on motivation visit the Call of the Wild website. For more on advice and guidance click here

Advice and Guidance - The Importance of Negotiation Skills

Negotiation is an important part of an advice and guidance role. If you have a job in the following sectors then negotiation will be an important skill that can enhance your effectiveness:-

• Support services
• Advocacy
• Housing
• Mentoring
• Youth Services
• Counselling
• Debt advice
• Citizens advice
• Employment advisor
• Career advisors

Take a look at the video above for soem advcie on negotiation techniques.

For more information on advice and guidance training and courses then visit the Call of the Wild website.

Mediation Techniques

Mediation techniques are an important tool in the armoury of any advice and guidance practitioner. They can help with conflict resolution, bring people to the table and help to resolve seemingly intractable problems. For more information on advice and guidance courses visit the Call of the Wild website.

Here are some videos on mediation and conflict resolution

Here's another

Importance of Non-Verbal Communication :Mehrabian's Communication Research

Professor Albert Mehrabian's Communications Model

Professor Albert Mehrabian has pioneered the understanding of communications since the 1960s.  He currently devotes his time to research, writing, and consulting as Professor Emeritus of Psychology, UCLA. Mehrabian's work featured strongly (mid-late 1900s) in establishing early understanding of body language and non-verbal communications.

Aside from his many and various other fascinating works, Mehrabian's research provided the basis for the widely quoted and often much over-simplified statistic for the effectiveness of spoken communications.

Here is a more precise (and necessarily detailed) representation of Mehrabian's findings than is typically cited or applied:

•     7% of message pertaining to feelings and attitudes is in the words that are spoken.

•     38% of message pertaining to feelings and attitudes is paralinguistic (the way that the words are said).

•     55% of message pertaining to feelings and attitudes is in facial expression.

Here's the overly-simplistic interpretation. Where you see or use it, qualify it, in proper context.

•     7% of meaning in the words that are spoken.

•     38% of meaning is paralinguistic (the way that the words are said).

•     55% of meaning is in facial expression.

This illustrates why non-verbal communication is so important. For more information on this research click here.

For information on Call of the Wild advice and guidance courses where communication is so important click the link.

Communication Training Video

Do you have a job in any of the following sectors:-

This Advice and Guidance Diploma covers skills that are transferable across a broad range of sectors such as:

• Support services
• Advocacy
• Housing
• Mentoring
• Youth Services
• Counselling
• Debt advice
• Citizens advice
• Employment advisor
• Career advisors

If you do then you need excellent communication skills in order to be effective in your role. If you want to improve your skills then visit our website for information on advice and guidance courses

Here's an excellent video on communication skills

Body Language and Communication

Communication is as much about what you don't say as much as what you verbally communicate. You can learn so much by observing people's body language which is an area often overlooked. As counsellor of an advice and guidance practitioner you are often concentrating on what people are saying and thinking of a verbal response. However if you took the time to study body language you would be able to become better at your job. For more information on our advice and guidance courses visit the Call of the Wild website.

Advice and Guidance - The Importance of Communication

If you want to become an excllent advice and guidance counsellor you will need excellent communication skills. For more information on advice and guidance courses visit our website

Level 3 and Level 4 Qualifications in Advice and Guidance

These qualifications are for those working with clients in organisations providing advice and guidance services, on a professional or voluntary basis.
Who are they for

They are for anyone aged over 16 (Level 3) or 18 (Level 4) providing advice and guidance in a professional or voluntary role. You could be working in careers guidance, for a trade union, in a school, in housing, human resources or in health and social care.

Level 3

This level is ideal if your role involves providing advice and guidance directly to clients, reporting to line management as well as associated services. You may also supervise and support other staff members.

To earn a qualification, you must complete a range of mandatory and optional units, including:

    -Establish communication with clients for advice and guidance
    -Assist advice and guidance clients to decide on a course of action
    -Manage personal case load.

Level 4

This level is ideal if your role involves providing specialist advice and guidance to clients, reporting to senior management and networking with associated services.

To earn this qualification, you must complete a range of mandatory and optional units, including:

    -Support clients to make use of the advice and guidance service
   - Stage and manage the mediation process
   - Provide support for other practitioners.

For more information visit the City and Guilds website. For information on possible funding for you to obtain this qualification visit the Call of the Wild webpage for advice and guidance courses

Frequently Asked Questions About City & Guilds Advice and Guidance Courses

These are frequently asked questions that City and Guilds have to answer in respect of their Certificate and Diploma at level 3 and 4 in Advice and Guidance. To find the answers click on the link below.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.Who developed these qualifications?
2.Who is the qualification for?
3.What is the qualification number for these qualifications?
4.What are the training requirements?
5.Does this qualification replace an existing qualification? 2
6. What are the main differences between 3069 NVQ in Advice and Guidance and the new Advice and Guidance 3569?
7. Is there any independent assessment required?
8.What are the assessment requirements?
9.What resources are available?
10. Where can I find the Advice and Guidance NOS?
11. Our Centre is approved to deliver 3069, do we get automatic approval for the new qualifications?
12. Is there any direct transfer between the previous Advice and Guidance 3069 and the new QCF replacement 3569?
13. Is there any assessment guidance for centres?
14. Are there any training support events available to our staff?
15.What are the requirements for assessors delivering this qualification?
16.Can these units be certificated as stand alone? 3
17.Where can I find a glossary of terms? 

For the answers to these questions asked about certificates and Diplomas at Level 3 and 4 in Advice and Guidance click here to visit the City and Guilds website.

For information about Call of the Wild's funded advice and guidance training click here

NVQ Certificate & Diploma in Advice and Guidance Factsheet

For more information on the Certificate and Diploma in Advice and Guidance then visit the City and Guilds website.

Also visit the Call of the Wild website for information on our fully funded Level 4 NVQ Diploma in Advice and Guidance

(IAG) Information, Advice and Guidance Course Funding

Have you ever wondered how you ended up in your current career ? 

Have you had enough of the rat race and wish you could change people’s lives for the better?

Why not consider a career or qualification in Advice and Guidance. An A+G qualification is the perfect first step to change your career whether you want to work  in housing, local authority, advocacy, care or education. Furthermore it provides a stepping stone to becoming a teacher or even a career in counselling.

At Call of the Wild we offer Level 4 Diplomas in Advice and Guidance which is ideal for people wanting to make that very change. A Career in Advice and Guidance is perfect for those people who:

want to work part time, reduce their working week without losing income, volunteer, want to increase their income if they currently work as a consultant.

Hourly rates are typically between £15 per hour and £35 per hour depending on where you live and who you work for.

Funding for Advice and Guidance has always been hard to access and we are proud to announce that from October 2013 Call of the Wild are able to offer any prospective learners the chance to apply for the Gov.uk funded 24+ Advanced learning loan which means you can start your course now and not have to pay the loan back till 2016 and only then if you earn over £21,000. If you want to pay in advance or your company are prepared to support you courses start from only £1000 depending on the learning options you decide.

Best of all Call of the Wild provide learning to suit your exact requirements, whether you want to learn in a group, from your own home using E learning and our LIVE facilitator support or learning in your workplace on your own or in group sessions with colleagues.

So don’t wonder why?

Contact Call of the Wild today by Calling 01639 700388

Units For level 4 NVQ Diploma in Advice and Guidance

Total Credit Value of qualification:

Minimum 37 credits
17 credits must be completed from Mandatory Units
20 credits minimum must be completed from Optional Units

Mandatory Units

17 credits of which 10 credits are at level 4

Unit title

AG3      Develop interactions with advice and guidance clients
AG14    Manage personal caseload
AG16    Evaluate and develop own contribution to the service
AG18    Operate within networks
AG30    Understand importance of legislation and procedures

Optional Units

20 credits minimum of which 9 credits must be at Level 4

Unit title

AG2     Support clients to make use of the advice and guidance service
AG5     Assist advice and guidance clients to decide on a course of action
AG6     Prepare clients through advice and guidance for the implementation of a course of action
AG7     Assist clients through advice and guidance to review their achievement of a course of action
AG8     Advocate on behalf of advice and guidance clients
AG9     Prepare to represent advice and guidance clients in formal proceedings
AG10    Present cases for advice and guidance clients in formal proceedings
AG11     Negotiate on behalf of advice and guidance clients
AG12     Liaise with other services
AG13     Enable advice and guidance clients to access referral opportunities
AG17     Provide support for other practitioners
AG19     Undertake research for the service and its’ clients
AG20     Design information materials for use in the service
AG21     Provide and maintain information materials for use in the service
AG22     Identify and promote the contribution of Careers Education Guidance (CEG) within the organisation
AG24     Integrate Careers Education Guidance (CEG) within the curriculum
AG25     Promote Careers Education Guidance (CEG)
AG26     Negotiate and maintain service agreements
AG27     Facilitate learning in groups
AG28     Prepare and set up mediation
AG29     Stage and manage the mediation process

For more information on Call of the Wild's fully funded IAG Information, Advice and Guidance Courses visit of website

Advice and Guidance Course Apprenticeship Case Study

 A case study of an Information, Advice and Guidance Apprentice based in Devon. If you wish to pursue a career in information , advice and guidance then we offer a fully funded Level 4 NVQ Diploma Advice and Guidance Course.

Information, Advice and Guidance: Your Path to Local Opportunities Video

Three Hackney residents talk about their learning journey in this short film produced for use in the classroom by Adult Learning Services at Hackney Learning Trust.

For more information on fully funded (IAG) Information, Advice and Guidance Courses click here

Advice and Guidance Courses - Funded Level 4 NVQ Diploma

Our Level 4 Diploma Advice and Guidance Courses we recognise that  Advice and Guidance courses have an important role to play in delivering quality services to needy individuals including counselling, employment advice. Our courses promote the benefits of learning, advocacy and problem solving. It is vital in the current economic climate that we can help individuals to address and overcome the barriers to learning and support them in making realistic and well informed choices.

You may also be eligible for full funding to cover the cost of the course! Read on for more information

Who's Suitable for the Course

 This Advice and Guidance course Diploma covers skills that are transferable across a broad range of sectors such as:

•  Support services
• Advocacy
• Housing
• Mentoring
• Youth Services
• Counselling
•  Debt advice
•  Citizens advice
• Employment advisor
• Career advisors

The course is suitable for  individuals whose role may involve  disseminating information, providing advice and guidance and offering advocacy.

Advice and Guidance Mandatory Course Units

•     Develop interactions with advice and guidance clients

•     Manage personal caseload

•     Evaluate and develop own contribution to the service

•     Operate within networks

•     Understand the importance of legislation and procedures

Fully Funded Course - You May Not Have to Pay Anything

 If you do not want to pay for your programme  we are authorised providers of the 24+ Advanced learning loans. This allows you to undertake accredited learning to support your aspirational career goals without having to pay in advance. Repayments don’t start until April 2016 and you won’t have to pay anything back until you earn more than £21,000 a year. The loan doesn’t depend on your income and there are no credit checks. To find out more about 24+ Advanced learning loans click here.

For more information on our advice and guidance courses click here