This module is designed to support and encourage a student in an advice agency to understand and explore some of the key issues involved in the agency?s role, function, and context and the role of the adviser within it. Particular themes include:

? An awareness of the diversity of provision of advice work
? An awareness of the underlying principles of advice work
? An awareness of how advice work agencies are funded
? A knowledge and understanding of key issues involved in the student?s agency, including the relationship with the local community; structure and accountability, and the importance of team working.
* An understanding of the requirements of Community Legal Service Commission Quality Mark Standards

This module will be assessed by the successful completion of an essay (2,500 words in length).

This assessment will assess learning outcomes 1 ? 5 and is 100% of the assessment for this module.

The focus of this award is on a mix of independent as well as directed study. There is an opportunity to undertake a range of collaborative work with other participants on-line.

Contact Hours (30) on this module this means your on-screen hours engaging with the online study materials contained within the `Course Information?, `Course Documents? `Communication? and `Assignments? sections of the module virtual learning environment (VLE).

Independent Study (120) means on-line and off-line activity including working on tasks/exercises/activities and participation within the discussion forums, relevant background/supplementary reading, and assessment preparation and completion.

This module will be delivered by the use of a VLE `Blackboard?.

The VLE `Blackboard? will provide a structured environment for progressing through this module. The `Course Information? section contains essential module information, the award handbook, the module descriptor and a section, which contains the aims and objectives of the module. The `Course Documents? section contains all the study material necessary to complete the module, together with activities associated with this material. Within the `Communications? section there are a number of forums, which will enable interactive, asynchronous discussion, which supports student learning and allows for formative assessment of individual progress.

Participants are encouraged to communicate with the tutor and their fellow students using email, telephone, the discussion forums and the bulletin board in the award gateway and to do so if there are matters needing assistance and support.

Web-based material will be utilised to support all aspects of the module, providing links to latest Government information and latest case law and legislation.

As this is a distance learning award, participants will need to adopt a disciplined approach to study and work for example by ensuring that activities, tasks and assignments are completed within specified time limits and that discussion with others takes place.

- Computer with capacity for Internet access and a CD Rom drive

- Key texts and materials

* Gilroy R (1993) Good Practice in Equal Opportunities. Aldershot, Avebury
* National Consumer Council (1986) Good Advice for all, London, National Consumer Council
* Forbes D et al (2000) Voluntary but not amateur (6th ed) London, Voluntary Service Council
* Adirondack F (1998) Just about managing? London Voluntary Service Council
* Handy C (1990) Understanding Voluntary Organisations, London, Penguin
* Steel J and Seargeant J (1998) Access to Legal Services, Policy Studies Institute, London

Nil