Information, Advice & Guidance

During this unit, you will learn topics including:

• The distinction between information, advice and guidance
• Ways of meeting information, advice or guidance requirements of clients
• The boundaries of your role in meeting information, advice or guidance requirements of clients
• Accurate record-keeping to fulfil good practice guidelines

During this unit, you will learn topics including:

• How to interact with clients
• The importance of effective communication skills in the delivery of information, advice or guidance
• How your own values, beliefs and attitudes may affect interactions with clients
• The importance of confidentiality and impartiality in interactions with clients
• Your own skills and development needs

During this unit, you will learn topics including:

• Understanding when it is appropriate to signpost or refer clients to other agencies
• The difference between signposting and referral
• Good practice when referring or signposting clients
• How to monitor and evaluate client referrals to other agencies

During this unit, you will learn topics including:

• Understanding the information, advice or guidance needs of a specific group of clients
• How to explore choices and options with a specific group of clients
• How to enable clients to challenge discriminatory behaviour and practice
• The barriers which may prevent clients from accessing information, advice or guidance services

During this unit, you will learn topics including:

• The role of social policy in advice work
• The purpose and process of an advice interview
• How to support a client to plan and take action
• How to negotiate effectively on a client’s behalf
• How to use information resources to meet client requirements

During this unit, you will learn topics including:

• The main categories of welfare benefits
• The key features of the benefits system
• How to claim appropriate benefits or funds

During this unit, you will learn topics including:

• The range of resources available to clients in a specific organisation
• Media that can be used to provide information for clients in own organisation
• How systems for storage and retrieval of information operate in own organisation

During this unit, you will learn topics including:

• The information needs and legal rights relevant to housing advice
• The factors to consider when advising a client on housing issues
• Knowing your own skills and development needs

During this unit, you will learn topics including:

• The factors to consider when advising a client on debt issues
• The types of debt and the strategies used to resolve debt problems
• Knowing how to identify own skills and development needs

During this unit, you will learn topics including:

• The legal rights and systems which support employment advice provision
• The factors to consider when advising a client on employment issues
• Knowing your own skills and development needs

During this unit, you will learn topics including:

• The legal rights and status of refugees, immigrants and asylum seekers
• The factors to consider when advising a client on refugee, immigrant or asylum seeker issues
• Knowing your own skills and development needs

During this unit, you will learn topics including:

• The national requirements for information, advice or guidance provision in a school or college
• The components of information, advice and guidance provision in a school or college
• Your own responsibilities in relation to information, advice or guidance practice within a school or college
• Knowing your own skills and development needs

During this unit, you will learn topics including:

• The role of group work in information, advice or guidance
• The factors which can influence the effectiveness of information, advice or guidance group sessions
• Plan, conduct and evaluate information, advice or guidance sessions
• The skills required to establish cooperative working relationships within information, advice or guidance group sessions

During this unit, you will learn topics including:

• The role of networks in supporting information, advice or guidance work
• The need for networks to operate within Codes of Practice and Principles
• The different roles within networks

The course is flexible, most learners complete within a few months, depending on personal commitments.

No. The qualification provides the essential knowledge you need to enter information, advice and guidance roles or build confidence before applying for related positions. It’s also ideal if you’re already employed in a support, advisory or client‑facing setting and want to upskill, strengthen your ability to provide accurate and ethical guidance, or work towards future progression, helping you become more effective and confident in your current role.

Choosing ACL Essex means studying with a provider rated Good by Ofsted in all areas, recognising our high‑quality teaching, supportive environment, and curriculum that meets the needs of the local community. You’ll learn flexibly online at a pace that fits your life, with access to  a caring, inclusive atmosphere where learners feel confident and supported. Our tutors provide personalised feedback and use effective teaching strategies to help you build your skills and stay motivated throughout your course.

You’ll be working towards a nationally recognised NCFE Level 2 qualification that can boost your confidence and strengthen your CV, with the added benefit that the course may be fully funded depending on eligibility. ACL Essex also offers clear signposting to further training, progression pathways, and future career opportunities, helping you plan your next steps with confidence.

Absolutely. Your tutor offers guidance and reassurance throughout, and the online platform lets you learn at your own pace.

Yes, it’s a nationally recognised qualification that strengthens your CV and makes you more employable across many industries where customer interaction is key.

Your tutor will support you every step of the way. You also get clear learning materials and activities to help you build confidence as you go.

It may be fully funded depending on your circumstances, enquire today to check eligibility.