The Pathway to becoming an Accredited Trainer for the NPA was revised and simplified in 2022. 

This information is available to download and print as

TRAINING FACTSHEET - Becoming an NPA Accredited Trainer Factsheet- Becoming an NPA AT (Overview & Costs) (110.8 KB)

STEP 1:  APPLY TO BECOME AN NPA TRAINEE TRAINER (TT)

There are some basic requirements which need to be met, before an application is made, the applicant will need to have:

• NPA Professional Membership
• Experience and evidence of a strong understanding of Portage Home Visiting and Portage in Early Years settings
• 3 years’ experience of delivering Portage within a Portage Service.
• Experience of using Portage Principles.
• Some experience of delivering training and have started to develop presentation skills.
• A reference from a Line Manager that supports the application.
• A Mentor, who will need to be an experienced Accredited Trainer (AT)

It is also desirable to have completed the NPA Core Competencies and/or Open Awards Level 3.

Please complete, and return application form TT01  TT01 Application form for Trainee Trainer (45.77 KB)

If the application is accepted, there is a one-off payment required of £30 to be registered as a TT, the Service will be invoiced accordingly.

An annual renewal fee is due on the 1st April to maintain your Trainee Trainer registration.

STEP 2 – LINK TO A MENTOR & WORK TOWARDS ACCREDITATION

• Each TT needs to be linked to an experienced AT who will act as a Mentor to support them through the training process.
• For Portage Services with an AT, it is usual for the AT to undertake the role of Mentor. 
• If a Service does not have an AT, they may want to request Mentor support from a AT in a neighbouring service.

If a Mentor cannot be identified a request can be made to the NPA to provide one (this will incur additional costs).

Please see TRAINING FACTSHEET – Buying in a Mentor for a Trainee Trainer Factsheet - Buying in a Mentor for a Trainee Trainer (95.11 KB)

and application form TTM request available to download here (30.62 KB)

STEP 3 – THE TRAINING PROCESS

During this phase of the pathway, the Trainee will be working with their Mentor. There are two main elements to the training, these will involve: -

• DELIVERING PORTAGE WORKSHOPS UNDER SUPERVISION
• COMPLETING THE COMPREHENSIVE ’EVIDENCE OF SKILLS CHECKLIST’

More details will be made available to the Trainee and their Mentor, in the form of a Handbook and additional downloadable resources.

TT’s are expected to complete the process within a maximum of 5 years.

STEP 4: - APPLYING FOR ACCREDITED TRAINER STATUS

• Once the Trainee and their Mentor are satisfied that the required skills have been gained, they should complete the application form AT01  AT01 Application Form (33.15 KB)
• The Chair of Training will then consider the application and decide if AT status should be given, or if there is any further training or experience required.
• If AT status is granted, there is a one-off payment required of £150 to be registered as an ‘Accredited Trainer’, the Service will be invoiced accordingly.
• The new AT will be given a unique AT registration number and an AT Agreement to sign and return to the NPA office, this confirms their agreement with the NPA’s conditions of being a NPA AT.
• They can deliver the Portage Workshop and will also have the opportunity to deliver other NPA Accredited CPD courses. Courses can be delivered both internally and externally, so there are opportunities to generate income for their Service.

MAINTAINING YOUR AT STATUS: -

AT status lasts for a period of 3 years, after which a re-accreditation needs to be applied for (at a current cost of £150 for a further 3 years). To meet the requirements for re-accreditation, the AT will normally be required to demonstrate that they have: -

• delivered at least 2 Portage Workshops within the preceding 3 years
• received acceptable feedback from delegates
• kept up to date with developments within Portage and the NPA) including attendance (where possible) at a Trainers Forum/Development Day/ Regional Study Days/ AT online Meeting. 
• Maintained their NPA Membership

SUMMARY OF COSTS: -

* TT’s & AT’s must always maintain membership.

**AT’s are required to renew their accreditation every 3 years, on condition that AT criteria continues to be met.