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Older Person Adviser Course (OPAC)

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This course is aimed at those who work in an advisory capacity with older people, and other groups who are working on age sector issues. It is designed to enable learners to specialise in their own area and also allows learners to develop their knowledge, skills and experiences in areas that they may be less knowledgeable about, giving a holistic view of the issues facing older people. This enables learners to increase their knowledge base and their professional development.

Modules:

The OPAC course consists of 6 modules and is offered as a whole course or on an individual module basis:
Module 1: Age Awareness and Working with Older People
Module 2: Introduction to Older People’s Benefits
Module 3: Understanding State Retirement Pension
Module 4: Health Rights and Services for Older People
Module 5: Community Care and Older People
Module 6: Housing and Older People
The Older Person Adviser Course (OPAC) has been developed by Advice NI in partnership with Age Concern Help the Aged NI and Access to Benefits (A2B). The course was developed to improve the quality and quantity of advice provision to older people in Northern Ireland enabling them to access their rights and entitlements.  It was developed following comprehensive consultation and needs analysis within the age sector.

Following the development of the OPAC, we are now able to offer individual modules as short courses. All courses are therefore delivered under the ‘Advantage’ brand.

Accreditation:
The OPAC course is accredited;
  • With Open College Network Northern Ireland (OCNNI)
  • At level 3 (comparable to NVQ3, A Level, AS Level and AVCE)
  • A certificate will be awarded upon satisfactory completion of portfolio
  • The portfolio will consist of class-work and homework activities

Learners can obtain accreditation for the short courses (individual modules) or for the whole course.

Assessment:

All courses are assessed by way of a learner portfolio. Accreditation will be awarded upon satisfactory completion of the portfolio

Location and Times:

The Older Person Adviser Course training events are currently delivered at Advice NI in Belfast (see below) and run from 9.30am to 4.00pm. A complementary lunch is provided.

Enquiries:

For further information about the course please contact:
Contact: Emma Murphy (Training and Development Practitioner)