TRAINING PATHWAYS

Pathways and Levels

The Association of Facilitators (AoF) offer four pathways to accreditation.

The pathway that you choose, and therefore the focus of the accreditation process, will depend on your training and experience.

Choice of pathway

  • Association of Facilitators Training
  • Non-AoF Training (trained elsewhere)
  • Practitioner Accreditation
  • Experienced Practitioner Accreditation

Pathways available

Pathway Consider this pathway if Accreditation
AoF Training … you want to be trained in facilitation
… at one of three levels
Self and Peer Assessment and Accreditation (SAPA)
Accreditation against FACETS® is integrated into all AoF training programmes.
Foundations
Certification
Diploma
Short courses provide credit towards accreditation.
Non-AoF Training … you have undertaken facilitation training with another organization which we have already recognised as equivalent to ours in competencies, standards, and outcomes. Application Submission: Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)
Full credit, or part-credit, is awarded using the FACETS® framework
Practitioner Accreditation … you require no formal training (or no more formal training)
… you have experience as a facilitator and are able to provide evidence
Portfolio and Interview at Accreditation Day: Accreditation of Prior Experience and Learning (APeL)
Preparation of portfolio. Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) and Accreditation of Prior Experience and Learning (APeL) will be used to award full or part credit
The focus will be on highlighting the basis of the applicant’s claim against AoFs FACETS and Generic Competence frameworks.
Experienced Practioner Accreditation … your approach and practice as a facilitator is well‐established and evidenced e.g. publications, public recognition, contribution to the facilitation profession. Interview
Review of contribution and rationale for aligning with AoF’s advancement of the facilitation profession.

What Level of Accreditation should you apply for?

We offer three Levels of Accreditation – Level 1, Level 2 & Level 3. As well as providing a path for Continuing Professional Development, these levels recognise the different skill sets and contexts in which individual facilitators practice. It is possible to be awarded a Level 1 Accreditation with evidence of Level 2 (or even 3) practice, or a Level 2 Accreditation with elements of Level 3 practice. See examples below.

The Level at which you are seeking accreditation is stated as part of your Accreditation Profile). No two facilitators will have exactly the same Profile although they may be Accredited at the same level. Your Level, as part of your profile, will indicate your areas of competence as a facilitator and path for development. For some facilitators, progress to the next level may not be desired or appropriate.

Facilitators can discover and develop depth in their facilitation practice through the accreditation process and through continuing development post-accreditation. You do not have to move up a level in order to progress in your competency and skill as a facilitator.

Levels in more detail

The following table can help you distinguish between the Levels of Accreditation you may be applying for. Once you have an idea of your Level, then please discuss this with your AoF support person. There will be a greater volume and depth of evidence required as you make claims for higher credit.

LEVEL 1 LEVEL 2 LEVEL 3
Focus Learning and Development
Group Dynamics
Change Management
Organisational Dynamics
Group Process Facilitation
Psychosocial Dynamics
Typically those who attend…
  • Manage and coordinate the performance and output of team meetings
  • Need to create sufficient group safety to achieve the task and handle typical dynamics (without necessarily working at great psychological depth)
  • May be new to Reflective Practice
  • Have an explicit remit to bring about change with people, groups and organisations
  • Have an emerging level of personal development
  • Understand how to work with typical organisational issues such as inclusion, power, psychological safety
  • Are conversant with Reflective Practice
  • Are able to work at depth with group process, as well as capable task facilitators
  • Have awareness of the complexity and interplay of intrapersonal, interpersonal, group, organisation and social dynamics
  • Have an area of specialism in addition to core facilitation skills, e.g. Gestalt, psychometrics, strategic leadership
Typical roles or goals
  • Managers/Project Managers leading team meetings
  • Teachers, trainers of people-centered learning
  • In-house change agents or external consultants
  • Volunteers, e.g. in community, social or charitable action
  • Leaders/Change Managers
  • In-house change agents or external consultants
  • Coaches and Mentors
  • Community leaders
  • Self-empowered learners
  • Aspiring Group Facilitators
  • Programme Managers and Change Agents
  • In-house change agents or external consultants
  • Coaches, Supervisors and Therapists
  • Community leaders
  • Self-empowered learners
  • Group Facilitators
Core Learning Experiential Learning, Core Facilitation Skills, Modes of Power, Contracting, Safety, Group Dynamics and Team Development. As Level 1 plus Reflective Practice, Psychological Defences, Diversity and Inclusion, Change Management and Personal Presence As Level 2 plus evidence of a wide and flexible range of systems-based approaches, self- awareness, critical reflection, depth of theoretical knowledge, committed approach to self-development
Supervision Typically through a peer network, manager, coach or mentor Regular review of performance through self-and-peer review as well as external supervision Regular reflection and personal/group supervision

On mobile scroll sideways to see the whole table or click below to see a pdf version…
Download/Print

Some examples…

Owen has been an in-house trainer for 3 years
Julie works as a Liaison Officer in a school. She regularly organises meetings and much more…
David works for a charity and trains young people in life skills through working in outdoor environments
Karen is a project manager for a construction company and has 10 years’ experience
Jayne is a freelance group facilitator working across a range of organisations