Chapter 3: Services provided and records held by different sections of Comhairle
3.4 Training and development
Comhairle provides training services to Citizen Information Services, and other voluntary and statutory bodies to enable them to deliver quality information, advice and advocacy services. A wide range of training courses and supports are delivered through the National Calendar of Training Events annually (Sept - May). (Further details are available in the Section 16 Manual.)
The main activities of Comhairle's central and regional training and development teams are:
- provision of training services to Citizen Information Services personnel, other information providers and voluntary and community organisations
- provision of training and support services to the Money Advice and Budgeting Services (MABS)
- development of training resources for use by information providers including the above-named
- development of an accreditation system for information providers e.g. Information Providers Programme (FETAC (Further Education and Training Awards Council) accredited)
- provision of training consultancy service
- co-ordinating the Group Insurance Facility for voluntary social service organisations
3.4.1 - Training courses
A range of training courses is provided to meet the needs of Citizen Information Services staff, (paid and volunteers), management committees and the specific needs of other information providers (see Section 16 Manual).
Details of scheduled training courses, their content, location, cost and target audience and criteria for selection are available in print and on the Comhairle website.
3.4.2 - National Money Advice Training and Community Education Service
The National Money Advice Training and Community Education Service is established within the Training and Development Team of Comhairle. This service has responsibility for the provision of training to MABS staff and management committees, and also for the support of community education in relation to money advice nationally.
3.4.3 - Training resources and publications
The Training and Development Service develops and disseminates training resources, for example manuals and videos, which may be used by Citizen Information Services and other relevant voluntary and statutory organisations.
Among the resources currently available are:
- National Calendar of Training Events and Training Programme (Sept - May) published annually; Money Advice Manual - good practice manual for money advisors
- A Handbook for Administrators in the Money Advice and Budgeting Services
- How Can We Help You - an interpersonal skills video with comprehensive training notes
- Current Account - the journal of the National Money Advice and Community Education service published quarterly
- Managing Volunteers - a good practice guide (currently being updated/developed)
3.4.4 - Good practice and accreditation
The Training and Development Service supports the development of best practice standards in the content and delivery of training. The Information Providers Programme, is a FETAC-accredited programme at level 6 on the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland's National Framework of Qualifications. The two accredited modules are 1) L32072 Information, Advice and Advocacy Practice and 2) L32073 Social and Civil Information.
3.4.5 - Social Mentor Programme
The Social Mentor Programme is a programme for voluntary and community organisations. It operates through a panel of volunteer mentors who share their expertise with organisations which require them. The mentors provide help and advice to voluntary and community organisations in all aspects of their activities - management, fundraising, financial control etc. Comhairle issues guidelines for mentors. Comhairle plans to expand the Social Mentor Programme into the Regions in the future and is currently doing so on a pilot basis in the Cork area. (Details of the Programme are included in the Section 16 Manual.)
3.4.6 - Provision of Group Insurance Facility for voluntary social service organisations
Comhairle operates a group insurance facility for voluntary social service organisations in conjunction with Allianz Insurance. Membership is open to any group involved in the provision of personal social services. (Details are included in the Section 16 Manual.)
3.4.7 - Publicly and routinely available information
Details of training courses, their content, location, cost and target audience are published regularly in print and on the Comhairle website.
- guidelines and reports on the Social Mentor Programme
- information on the Group Insurance Facility
3.4.8 - Records held
- applications for participation in training courses
- evaluation reports of training courses by participants
- training requests
- information about social mentors, projects
- general administrative records including finance, meetings, contracts with trainers, training organisations and training programmes
