Accreditation Home

AoF’s accreditation process is based on the understanding that effectiveness as a facilitator rests on a combination of multiple and interrelated competencies.  Our proprietary competency model, FACETS® describes six key areas that we consider to be central to both the skill level and character of practitioners: Facilitation, Awareness, Contracting, Ethics, Theory and Support. As well as forming the core of our assessment and accreditation methodologies, FACETS® also provides a framework for assessing and guiding personal and professional development.

Credit not License

For some professions, accreditation infers becoming a licensed practitioner in their particular field. Accreditation with The Association of Facilitators has no such connotation. Rather, our process is built on a commitment to Self Regulation. By seeking accreditation, and subsequent reaccreditation, you will be demonstrating your commitment to monitor and review your own professional practice.

Our approach provides a rigorous and challenging environment for self-assessment. Participants report that they engage in a thorough inquiry into their skills, knowledge, and awareness, and that they become more familiar with their blind spots and areas for development. The process builds critical reflection, and develops emotional competence. It provides:

• a way to illuminate and evolve facilitator practice through critical reflection, feedback from peers, and assessment of competence.
• a mechanism for accreditation that will validate facilitators' experience, and that will allow areas for development to spring from a sense of self-acceptance and appreciation.

Standards not Standardisation

Our proprietary model FACETS® puts forward a set of quality standards against which applicants can self-assess and engage in dialogue with their peers. FACETS® is not a model that imposes standards nor does it seek conformity. Rather, it guides applicants to key areas of competence against which they may self-regulate. Further, there is scope for applicants to add competences that relate to their own particular practice. Accreditation then is informed by dialogue, self-assessment and peer review and is in reference to, but not limited to, FACETS®.

A Collaborative Process

Our commitment to a collaborative review process rests on the contributions of three roles - applicant, support person (peer mentor/advisor) and a member of AoF’s accreditation panel - coming together in a joint process of review and accreditation.