Qualification Review CTSI Professional Competency Framework (CPCF)
Decision Following on from the CTSI Council meeting held in October 2018 the Qualification Awards Board (QAB) reviewed the final developmental details of the CPCF Qualification The final decision from the QAB are inclusive of the below: Introduction of an exit point in the qualification at Stage 1, on completion of all elements of Stage 1 students will be awarded Trading Standards Practitioner Certificate. Stage 2 Unit 4 Trading Standards Law part 2 will now only comprise of all elements Metrology (mandatory element) and only 1 other optional subject from the following 3 subjects: Product safety, Food or Feed. On completion of Stage 2 students will be awarded Trading Standards Practitioner Diploma. Stage 3 will comprise of a 8,000 word report. On completion of Stage 3 students will be awarded Trading Standards Advanced Practitioner (Degree Level).
Stage 1 Syllabus learning outcomes: Unit 1 will be inclusive but not exhaustive of the following elements: product liability, consumer protection, negligence & tort (delict in Scotland), legal systems in both criminal & civil courts, ADR.
Unit 2 will be inclusive but not exhaustive of the following elements: Compliance, safeguarding, primary authorities, legal entities, liabilities and statutory controls Unit 3 will be inclusive but not exhaustive of the following elements: Unfair Trading, regulations, due diligence, case law, fair trading environment, investigations and enforcement. Unit 3 2000 report can be aligned with specialist areas for example: Consumer Rights Act in relation to Letting Agents fees and Resale of tickets, Animal Health & Welfare, Underage sales/age restricted sales
The Regulatory Compliance Officer apprenticeship (RCO) Further consideration has been given to the RCO apprenticeship qualification, students who complete the qualification will receive exemptions for the 2 units listed below: Unit 1 Regulatory and Environment & Enforcement- exam and reflective statement Unit 2 Business & Consumer Legal Framework- exam and case study The Unit 3 Trading Standards Law part 1 written exam must be sat by the RCO candidates Exemption from the Unit 3 Trading Standards Law part 1 2000 word report is available if it has met the RCO qualification requirements and the subject matter sits within trading standards area of work
Stage 2 Unit 4 will be inclusive but not exhaustive of the following elements: Weights and Measures - legal systems, legal requirements & controls, regulatory delivery, weights & measures, powers & enforcement. Product Safety RAPEX, ICSMS, powers & enforcement, product safety regulations, CE marking, RAMS Feed hygiene regulations, feed law code of practice, assurance schemes animal feed sampling Food Import & export laws, food safety, food regulations HACCP, food law
Unit 4 Trading Standards Law part 2 One further subject in addition to Weights and Measures. Food Standards: 1.5 hour written exam, oral exam, portfolio Weights & Measures (mandatory): 2 hour written exam, practical and oral, reflective statement, professional interview, portfolio. Feed: 1.5 hour written exam, oral exam, portfolio Product Safety: 1.5 hour written exam, portfolio
Stage 2 Unit 5 Criminal & civil legislation, intelligence gathering, regulations of investigatory powers, legal controls & powers, warranty procedures and processes, investigative principles. Unit 6 Market surveillance, principles of auditing, control strategies, compliance, risk and hazards, control measures (HACCP).
Qualification fee - Stage 1 All candidates/authorities are required to pay a single Stage fee, for the qualification stage they are entering. Candidates are required to make payment in full for each Stage. Individual elements of Stage 1 or Stage 2 cannot be taken together; the only exception will be for candidates who are transitioning from the TSQF (or antecedents) to the CPCF
Qualification fee - Stage 2
Stage 3 Stage 3 is aligned to the Level 6 of the National Qualifications Framework (SCQF Level 9). Students will complete an 8,000-word project to gain the Stage 3 award. The project will be of benefit to both the authority and/or the profession. It will be submitted within a set time-frame and will show that the candidate has the skills, knowledge and capability to deliver to specific requirements. On completion, it will demonstrate that the candidate is proficient in undertaking research and that they possess the ability to provide critical analysis to deliver set out ideas, concepts and theory by providing a final recommendation/outcome. On completion of Stage 3, candidate will demonstrate an ability to work at a higher level with the capacity to provide the department with specialist knowledge as an added resource. These individuals are likely to become the future Heads of Service. On completion of Stage 3 candidates will achieve Trading Standards Advanced Practitioner (Degree Level)
Transition A key part of the development of the CPCF framework is the transitional arrangements that have been confirmed. Focus of the group was to ensure that students are not disadvantaged on entering the new qualification but paying attention to equivalency as well. There will be a three year period that students can use to transfer current/relevant subjects into the new framework, starting from 1 January 2019. Two years grace period for extenuating circumstances after this, but no further transfers after 2024. Comprehensive transitional documentation can be located on the qualification resource pages
Training Training for the CPCF will be provided in the form of blended learning. Dedicated specialists will be allocated to each training course, providing class room style teaching, alongside distance learning. These courses will comprise of tutorials, assessments and discussion groups. Candidates will be able to book their training courses via the CTSI website
CTSI Operational Delivery We will be launching a new area of the website which will provide candidates with comprehensive information on the following elements: Guidance on assessment criteria Guidance on the creation of required portfolios Examples of case studies for candidates to utilise Examples of exam questions for candidates to utilise CTSI continue to provide updates on details of the CPCF to HoS, members and candidates on a regular basis to ensure communication is clear and concise.
Questions