Apprenticeship training course

Community fire safety advisor (level 3)

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Information about Community fire safety advisor (level 3)

Working within local communities providing life-improving advice, guidance and interventions.

• Knowledge, skills and behaviours:
  View knowledge, skills and behaviours

  Knowledge

  • The relevant legislation and guidance for the community fire safety advisor, including health and safety, safeguarding, data protection, sustainability, and equality, diversity, and inclusion.
  • The Person Centred Framework for Home Fire Safety Visits (HFSVs), local policy, procedures and guidance for delivering HFSVs.
  • The diverse local communities, their differing and changing needs and expectations and the implications for engaging with them to provide advice and to influence behaviour.
  • Risks to welfare of themselves and colleagues during a HFSV and techniques for managing safety.
  • The main causes of fire in the home.
  • The principles of a person-centred fire risk assessment.
  • Person factors which impact risk, which could include physical health, mental health, learning disabilities, mobility, sensory impairment, age and frailty and culture.
  • Behaviour factors which impact risk, which could include smoking, taking medication, substance and alcohol use, and bedtime routines.
  • Home factors which impact risk, including property layout, fire protection and safety devices, state of maintenance and repair, clutter, egress, and the social environment.
  • Emerging risks that have been nationally or locally identified in relation to fire safety in the home.
  • The principles and practices for engaging other agencies.
  • The professional boundaries that define what interventions fire and rescue services (FRSs) and other organisations can deliver to make physical changes and encourage behavioural change.
  • The advice, support and interventions to reduce risk in the community, including signposting and making referrals to other agencies.
  • Techniques for delivering brief advice to influence positive behaviour change in different contexts.
  • Techniques for managing conflicts and the use of de-escalation tactics.
  • Methods of reflection, and how reflecting on practice can lead to change.
  • Current standards and guidelines for record keeping.
  • Public perceptions and expectations of FRSs and how this impacts the role.

  Skills

  • Interpret and implement legislation, data, and guidance in relation to HFSVs.
  • Preparation for the visit, in line with local procedures and guidance.
  • Provide advice, education and recommendations to members of the public through variety of interactions.
  • Check occupant’s understanding and ability to access all information provided.
  • Work with other professionals to support fire safety.
  • Manage risks to personnel associated with HFSVs.
  • Observe, question and listen to occupants to inform fire risk assessment.
  • Take a person-centred approach to fire risk assessment by considering the impact of person, behaviour and home factors on fire risk.
  • Identify and assess risks within the home, using the HFSV guidance.
  • Deliver brief advice to encourage positive behaviour change that enables people to reduce risk.
  • Signpost interventions or make referrals internally and to partner agencies that meet the needs of the occupants to mitigate the identified risks.
  • Deliver clear and achievable verbal and written fire safety advice to individuals and community groups.
  • Determine the need for, and demonstrate how to install and test, fire risk reduction equipment including smoke alarms and instruct occupants to use and maintain equipment effectively.
  • Reflect and evaluate performance and practice to inform change and improvement.
  • Keep records accurately observing the requirements of data protection and organisational policy.
  • Share relevant information and respond with courtesy, clarity and accuracy to enquiries from stakeholders and other agencies upholding responsibilities to data protection and confidentiality.
  • Work independently and proactively as part of a team; managing work, prioritising tasks, planning and leading visits.
  • Communicate with others and adapt communication media, methods and styles to suit diverse audiences.

  Behaviours

  • Embraces and values equality, diversity and inclusion, treating everyone with dignity and respect.
  • Committed and able to identify their own needs, develop self and reflect on practice.
  • Acts with confidence and integrity, to create safe, effective and practical outcomes.
  • Works within own level of authority, responsibility and competence and recognises when to seek support or assistance.
  • Committed to supporting a strong safety culture.
  • Challenges unsafe or inappropriate behaviours and practices.
  • Committed to respecting life, the law, the environment and putting communities first.
• Apprenticeship category (sector): Protective services
• Qualification level: 3; Equal to A level
• Course duration: 12 months
• Maximum funding: £7,000 ; Maximum government funding for ; apprenticeship training and assessment costs.
• Job titles include:
  • Community safety advisor
  • Community safety advocate
  • Community safety assistant
  • Community safety officer
  • Home fire safety visit officer
  • Prevention advisor

View more information about Community fire safety advisor (level 3) from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.