What will you learn?
This course aims to equip you with practical skills to support individuals who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, with a focus on understanding their needs and building on their strengths and personal goals. Through a trauma-informed and strengths-based approach, the course units will deepen your knowledge and enhance your ability to provide effective support.
The qualification covers key aspects of homelessness through four compulsory units:
- Homelessness services and prevention
- Role of the practitioner for independent living
- Engaging people with lived experience of homelessness
- Professional practice skills for housing
The course includes four sessions led by experienced Homeless Link trainers. Additionally, tutors from the CIH Housing Academy will assess your written assignments, providing detailed feedback. These assignments are your opportunity to demonstrate your understanding and application of the concepts covered in each unit.
Upon successful completion of the course, you will earn a vocational qualification equivalent to an A-level standard.
For more details about the units take a look at the qualification overview and the course specification.
Who is it for?
This course is ideal for client-facing staff working in either a paid or voluntary capacity in housing or homelessness.
Some typical job titles of those who study our level 3 qualification are: support worker, team leader, night worker, supported housing worker
Why choose this course?
How will it benefit you
Completing this qualification is a fantastic way of establishing yourself as a professional, ensuring you have the theoretical knowledge, key skills and learning to perform your role at the highest level.
With over 20 year delivering courses for the homelessness sector, we have worked closely with our members to ensure the content in this qualification will be relevant, up-to-date and provide learners with the understanding to support people experiencing homelessness.
It can help you to:
- Support people more effectively
- Build confidence in your practice
- Develop your career and provide opportunities for further study
How will it benefit your organisation
The ground-breaking qualification aims to recognise the vital work homelessness staff do and upskill staff to support people in a strengths-based way.
It can help your organisation to:
- Ensure consistency of standards throughout your services
- Show how much you value your team
- Support staff retention and career development
Key course dates
The course is delivered through a series of day-long online sessions led by expert Homeless Link trainers, which every learner must attend.
There are two cohorts available. In your application, please tell us which cohort you'd prefer to attend. We'll do our best to accommodate your preferences, but please understand that placement in your preferred cohort depends on availability. Once you're assigned, we won't be able to accommodate requests for switching cohorts.
Please make sure you can attend all dates before applying.
Cohort 5
- Induction 5 November 2024
- Unit 1: Homelessness services and prevention 13 November 2024
- Unit 2: Role of the practitioner in supporting independent living 15 January 2025
- Unit 3: Engaging people with lived experience of homelessness 26 February 2025
- Unit 4: Professional practice skills for housing 9 April 2025
Cohort 6
- Induction 19 November 2024
- Unit 1: Homelessness services and prevention 27 November 2024
- Unit 2: Role of the practitioner in supporting independent living 29 January 2025
- Unit 3: Engaging people with lived experience of homelessness 12 March 2025
- Unit 4: Professional practice skills for housing 23 April 2025
After each session learners will be required to complete the written assignment that they will be given 5-6 weeks to complete and submit.
To pass the qualification, learners must attend every session and complete and pass each assignment.
Entry requirements
To apply for this qualification, you should:
- be working in a paid or voluntary capacity within the housing or homelessness sector
AND
- have completed a Level 2 qualification (equivalent to GCSE) or higher.
We understand that not everyone has had the opportunity to complete a Level 2 qualification or have evidence of their qualifications due to various life circumstances. If you haven’t completed a Level 2 qualification, you may still be eligible if you have at least six months of experience in the homelessness sector. However, as the course involves submitting written assignments at an A-level standard, we want to ensure you’re set up for success. If you do not have formal qualifications or cannot provide evidence of them (e.g. you've lost your certificates), you will need to submit a supporting statement so we can assess your ability to manage the course assignments.
FAQs
What information do you need for the application form?
- Why are you applying for this course? (250 words)
In your answer to this question, please explain how this course will benefit your current role and career. Given the significant time commitment, we want to understand your personal motivation to ensure your success. - Your current job role and career history
To be accepted onto this course, you need at least six months of experience working or volunteering in the homelessness sector. This information helps us determine whether you have the relevant work experience. - Your educational qualifications
You will need to provide evidence of a Level 2 qualification or a supporting statement on why you don't have this, as outlined in the entry requirements section above. - Reasonable adjustments
We aim to make the course accessible to everyone, so we’ll ask if you need any adjustments, such as subtitles for sessions or more time to submit assignments. - Finance details
We will need the details of your organisation's finance team to ensure the qualification fees can be processed. - Manager's details
Finally, we require confirmation that your manager approves your application and that you will receive the necessary support during the course.
How much time do I need to commit to this qualification?
It is recommended that a commitment is made between learners and their managers for a minimum of 1 hour of protected study time a day during working hours and the duration of the qualification.
What support do I need from my organisation?
We require sign off from your manager to take part in the course and recommend that your manager checks in on your progress throughout the duration of the qualification to help make sure you get the support you need.
Are sessions online or in-person?
All sessions will take place online.
What equipment do I need to take part in this qualification?
You need access to a laptop or PC and access to the internet to attend the training sessions and complete assignments. If you don't have this at home, please speak to your work to make arrangements.
I can attend every session except for the induction session, is the induction session important?
Attending the induction session is essential for your success on this course. In the session, you will learn how to navigate Moodle and key information related to the course assignments.
How to apply
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