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Qualifications

We work in partnership with an awarding body and local AA schemes to offer three specialist, accredited qualifications for appropriate adults.

You can see them here on the Ofqual register of qualifications. 

If you are responsible for leading or commissioning an AA scheme, accredited qualifications are an opportunity:

  • To demonstrate quality to stakeholders, including the community and funders.

  • To secure independent assurance that individuals have achieved the knowledge required to practice effectively.

  • To offer appropriate adults an opportunity for self-development, official recognition and enhancement of status.

What do learners say?

  • “It was informative and interesting, specifically focusing on understanding the role of the AA…I have been an AA for 18 months and it was good to reflect on my own practice”

  • “It challenged me to think about the role I play as an AA in the station and how this corresponds to the PACE codes”
  • “Most questions were straightforward, but I realise I should have had a greater knowledge of PACE and legislation. [It] reinforced the need to ensure deeper understanding and knowledge”
  • “It was helpful going through the training pack in more detail – particularly reminding me of certain aspects regarding being an AA that I had not reviewed for a while”
  • “I enjoyed doing this as it allowed me to source information beyond just NAAN and PACE to support my answers”
  • “I also enjoyed the opportunity to think about factors that affect young people and are not only about the role of an AA”
  • “Communicating on an equal level with a juvenile can be quite challenging at times, and I found this particularly helpful when revisiting different communication strategies”

    What do AA schemes say?

    As students, our volunteers AAs are keen to learn and -to build their CVs. You can say you’ve volunteered somewhere but it doesn’t hold as much weight as having an accredited qualification to show for it.

    NAAN’s Level 2 Award In Working as an Appropriate Adult with Vulnerable Adults and Juveniles is something we keep talking about throughout the year, and once volunteers have been with us for a few months we give them the opportunity to enrol.

    Every two to three months we bring our volunteer AAs together to talk through what they’ve been experiencing and to give them a few hours of working on their portfolios together. This reflection time has been invaluable in keeping volunteers engaged and feeling supported. It allows them to share any challenging experiences, talk about it with others, and put them in perspective alongside everything that’s worked well.

    Volunteers are usually with us for a few years and sometimes for longer. Working towards the AA qualification helps to improve their practice, keeps them engaged, and gives them something concrete on their CV to show for it.

    Sarah Connelly, Scheme Manager for the Northumbria Local Appropriate Adult Scheme

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How can I enrol?

    If you already an AA, please tell your scheme leader your are interested and ask them to contact us. 

    If you are not yet an AA, you'll need to join an AA scheme in order to access the qualifications via NAAN. 

    How much does it cost?

    £99 per learner. This is normally paid by the AA scheme. They will be invoiced when the learners are enrolled.

    Does my organisation need to be a member of NAAN?

    Yes. AAs need to be part of a NAAN member scheme before enrolling. 

    Find out more about membership here.

    Find out more about the benefits, costs and process of AA qualifications by downloading the pack below.