Citizenship at Entry Level 3 requires the candidate to understand their own rights and responsibilities as being a citizen in a country. They need to be able to understand the laws tht protect their rights and equalities. They need to demonstrate that they know how the levels of government work and how they fit into that structure.
A work activity will typically be ‘straightforward or routine’ because:
The task or context will be familiar and involve few variable aspects. The techniques used will be familiar or commonly undertaken.
Example of context – Make a simple report on citizenship.
General Information
QCF general description for Level 1 qualifications
Requirements
Assessment Method
Assessors can score each of the criteria N, L, S or H. N indicates no evidence and it is the default setting. L indicates some capability but some help still required to meet the standard. S indicates that the candidate can match the criterion to its required specification in keeping with the overall level descriptor. H indicates performance that goes beyond the expected in at least some aspects. Candidates are required to achieve at least S on all the criteria to achieve the full unit award. Once the candidate has satisfied all the criteria by demonstrating practical competence in realistic contexts they achieve the unit certificate.
Expansion of the assessment criteria
1.1 I can identify the legal rights of a British Citizen
Candidates should be able to identify their rights as a citizen
Evidence: Documentation in portfolios, assessor observations.
Additional information and guidance
The basic rights you have as a citizen of any country can vary. Here in the UK you have the right to live here, vote (if you are old enough), work and raise a family. These are obviously supported by supplementary rights to have a certain amount of free health care and education. You also have the right to justice.
1.2 I can identify a responsibility that citizens have to maintain their own well-being
Candidates should be able to identify what they need to do to act responsibly as a citizen
Evidence: Documentation in portfolios, assessor observations.
Additional information and guidance
What is "well being". This should be straight forward, but some people might not have the ability to have well-being. For example, if you can't afford to pay your bills and feed your family, though no fault of your own, have you failed in your responsibility as a citizen? Candidates need to give some statements explaining how they maintain their well being in the system they live in.
1.3 I can identify a responsibility that citizens have to others
Candidates should be able to identify some responsibilities that we all should share
Evidence: Documentation in portfolios, assessor observations.
Additional information and guidance
A society clearly functions better if everyone has a certain amount of respect for the rights of others and acts accordingly. Candidates should be able to articulate that not stealing from people of committing other crimes makes the society work better and makes it easier to live as a 'well' citizen. Other similar examples.
2. The candidate will know about equal opportunity issues in relation to the law
2.1 I can give an example of a group of people protected by equality law
The candidate will be able to identify people protected by equality laws
Evidence: From portfolios and assessor observations
Additional information and guidance
This will vary depending on the locality of the candidates as they may well have local issues that relate to equality, such as traveler families or perhaps a large population of a specific religious group. They need to show that they are aware of what protections there are and why.
2.2 I can give an example of how equal opportunity law can help a specified group
The candidate will be able to flesh out the identified law in 2.1
Evidence: From portfolios and assessor observations
Additional information and guidance
How are the identified group of people in 2.1 protected by the existing laws? Are they allowed certain freedoms beyond the basic freedoms that all citizens enjoy? Are they given any additional legal protections?
3. The candidate will know the role of government in the daily life of citizens
3.1 I can state what a citizen needs to do in order to be able to vote in an election
The candidate will be able to identify the characteristic of voter registration
Evidence: From portfolios, local testing, assessor observations
Additional information and guidance
What is required [1] in order to vote?
3.2 I can identify services provided by local government
The candidate will be able to identify their local services
Evidence: From portfolios, local testing, assessor observations
Additional information and guidance
What services are provided by your local government? This could be parish based services, town or district services or even county services. These will vary depending on where you live and the composition of the local council, i.e. what political party controls what they do.
3.3 I can identify services provided by national government
The candidate will be able to identify the services offered by national government
Evidence: From portfolios, local testing, assessor observations
Additional information and guidance
When candidate's vote in a general election, what [2] does this give them as a citizen?
3.4 I can list the main public services available in my own community
The candidate will be able to identify their local services
Evidence: From portfolios, local testing, assessor observations
Additional information and guidance
This will vary for each candidate. For TLM, the local services would be here [3]. The What we do paragraph lists and links to the services offered. candidates should be able to find similar for their own town or village.
Moderation/verification
The assessor should keep a record of assessment judgements made for each candidate guided by the above guidance. Criteria should be interpreted in the context of the general descriptors of RQF Level 1 qualifications. They should make notes of any significant issues for any candidate and be in a position to advise candidates on suitable routes for progression. They must be prepared to enter into dialogue with their Account Manager and provide their assessment records to the Account Manager through the on-line mark book. They should be prepared to provide evidence as a basis for their judgements through reference to candidate e-portfolios. Before authorising certification, the Account Manager must be satisfied that the assessors judgements are sound. In the event of missing evidence, the assessor will be requested to gather appropriate information before the award can be made.
Links
[1] https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
[2] https://www.gov.uk/government/how-government-works
[3] https://www.tamworth.gov.uk/about-us