This module aims to provide students with a basic knowledge and understanding of the underlying concepts and principles of Money Advice and Debt Counselling; the causes of debt and liability for debt. Students will also gain the necessary skills to be able to give basic advice to people who are experiencing debt problems. Topics to be covered, in line with the CLS Quality Mark Standard for Generalist Help, include:

- Causes of debt
- Liability for debt
- Ways of maximising income
- How to identify priority debts, e.g. Tax; National Insurance; VAT; Fines; Child Support and Maintenance; Benefit Overpayments, Social Fund
- Non priority debts e.g. Charge cards; credit cards; overdrafts; mail order catalogues; social fund loans; rental agreements
- Understanding relevant strategies e.g informal and voluntary arrangements; moratoriums; write off; administrative orders; bankruptcy.

adding to ic

- Computer with Lotus Learning Space capacity and the WWW
- Key texts
- Module handbook

You will need access to one of the following texts:

Debt Advice Handbook (4th Edition) 1999, Wolfe M & Ivison J,. London. C.P.A.G

You will have developed relevant intellectual skills to be able to identify

1) the causes of debt
2) priority and non-priority debts
3) understand and explain the processes of debt advice clearly

You will have developed relevant problem-solving and application of number skills to be able to

4) Develop basic debt advice strategies
5) Prepare basic financial strategies
6) The above will satisfy CLSQMS requirements of mandatory 1, optional 1,2,5,6,7 & 9

A CASE BASED STUDY length 2000 WORDS weighted at 100%.

A written case study assignment (2,000 words) 100%
(learning outcomes 1-5)

Contact Hours on this module means your on-screen hours engaging with Lotus Learning Space activities for the main section of the module

Independent Study means on-line and off-line activity including work in the Media Centre, relevant background reading, and assessment preparation and completion.

On screen activity (24 hours)
This will involve you engaging with the materials provided in Lotus Learning Space; assessing electronically stored information where necessary e.g. Government web sites; completing on screen assessment tests and liaising with the module leader where necessary by email.
Independent Study (56 hours)
This will involve
a) Detailed study of the course material to ensure a good working knowledge and understanding of the basic content of the module (36 hours)
b) Completing exercises off screen to consolidate learning and understanding (10 hours)
c) Preparing the assessed case study assignment (10 hours)

Development of Skills

Intellectual Skills will be developed by encouraging students to engage with the key themes of the module to ensure a knowledge and understanding of them. These skills will be assessed in the case study assignment.
Problem Solving and Application of Number Skills will be developed through on-screen self testing exercises, and will be assessed in the case study assignment.
I.T Skills will be developed through the on line activities in LLS
Written Communication Skills will be developed and assessed through the case study assignment.