CMA Level 4 Award in Casework/Specialist Debt Advice – Raising the Standards of Debt Advice

Description of the programme

The CMA Level 4 Award in Casework/Specialist Debt Advice requires attendance at three separate training days which must be completed in sequence:

Part 4 Contents:

Credit Reports
Options and Strategies for Dealing with Debt
Debt Respite Scheme – Breathing Space
Debt Respite Scheme – Mental Health Breathing Space
Illegal Money Lending
Casenotes
Action Plans / Task Lists
File Reviews

Part 5 Contents:

File Reviews (Homework debrief)
Business Debts
Repossessions – Strategies and Defences
Council Tax
Advocacy and the Court System
County Court
Magistrates’ Court
Enforcing Foreign Judgments
Judicial Review

Part 6 (Insolvency Training) Contents:

Insolvency Options
Administration Orders
Bankruptcy
Debt Relief Orders
Individual Voluntary Arrangements

There is homework after Part 4 which requires undertaking a case file review and must be completed before attending Part 5. There is also some pre-course reading which is essential before attending the Part 6 training day.

We also supply a Handbook Companion which complements this training and contains additional information, material for completion of the exercises and the pre-course reading for Part 6 (Insolvency Training). The additional information includes pre-action protocols (in full) for Debt Claims, Social Landlords and Mortgage Arrears; Debt Respite Scheme Briefing Paper and various procedure checklists and flowcharts.

Delivery Channels

Our open training courses are delivered online via Zoom. Homework, pre-course reading and post course assessments are completed online.

In person training courses are available on request to groups of 10 upwards.

Pre- Requisite Learning / Pathway / Accreditation for Prior Learning:

The CMA Level 4 Award in Casework/Specialist Debt Advice is available for those working within CMA centres and for anyone else not associated with a CMA affiliate centre. Attendees must have already successfully completed the CMA Level 3 Award in Generalist Debt Advice or have successfully completed other training/qualification equivalent to MaPS Advice Level and be able to demonstrate proof of prior training.

Individual Certification

Prospective attendees who have successfully completed the CMA Level 3 Award in Generalist Debt Advice will already be recorded on CMA systems showing their successful completion of this Award. Other prospective attendees, will be required to supply evidence of successful completion of training/qualification showing completed accredited training at MaPS Advice Level, before being admitted to this training programme.

Those booking onto the CMA Level 4 Award in Casework/Specialist Debt Advice will attend three separate training days in sequence with a test after the second training day and another test after the third training day. Both tests require a 75% pass mark and after the final test has been successfully passed, a certificate of accredited training is provided electronically which can be saved or printed. All results are recorded on CMA systems.

What are the outcomes?

This course is accredited to Casework/Specialist level only. Casework/specialist activity will involve an adviser taking on responsibility for the conduct of a case and/or an adviser taking action on behalf of the client. The adviser drives and manages the case and maintains a continuing relationship with the client. Negotiation, advocacy and representation where appropriate are common features of casework.