Britain is a culturally diverse nation that respects and values the differences in people. Companies are legally required to follow a set of practices to ensure discrimination is eradicated and expectations of equality are met. A good understanding of the wide-ranging legislation is essential in creating a workplace that is centred on fairness, dignity and respect.

Offering clear and accurate information, advice or guidance and knowing what can be shared legally and professionally can greatly improve outcomes for a business. There are some fundamental rules for successful information sharing, and ensuring staff are aware of these is key.

Ideally, to complete this qualification you will be currently working in a role involving providing information, advice and guidance. The qualification requires reflection on practice which is significantly easier if you are currently (or have recently) been providing IAG. 

Official data showed that over 7,500 people were referred to the Prevent programme in 2015/16. The purpose of this qualification is to support anyone who is responsible for the safeguarding of people and for helping prevent radicalisation. It gives learners an understanding of recognising the signs of abuse, how to reduce the risk of radicalisation, and the potential consequences of illegal online activity.

Having a learning difficulty means that people find it harder to learn certain skills. As this affects around 15% of people it is important for those working in healthcare, social care and education to have knowledge of different specific learning difficulties such as ADHD, dyslexia and dyscalculia.

Autism is a spectrum condition that affects how a person communicates with others and how they interpret the world around them. There are around 700,000 people in the UK with autism - more than 1 in every 100. Having a clear understanding of the misconceptions, diagnoses and support surrounding autism are just some of the essential skills needed when working in mental health.

Around 1.5 million people in the UK have a learning disability. Owing to the fact that they are likely to find it more difficult than others to describe their symptoms, it is essential for anyone working with individuals with learning disabilities to have a good knowledge of the healthcare system and relevant legislation, as well as an understanding of the signs and symptoms of various conditions.

Mental health presents one of the greatest challenges to our society. With an estimated 450 million people worldwide suffering from a mental health problem, around a quarter of British  adults will experience some form of mental health problem within the course of a  year. While many elements of mental health are still not understood, having a good knowledge of the information that is available is essential in the care sector.