Immigration Services Commissioner Introduces Continuing Professional Development for Immigration Advisers

01/04/2008

The Immigration Services Commissioner, Suzanne McCarthy, is introducing a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) scheme for all immigration advisers regulated by her Office, from April 1.

The Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) regulates UK immigration advisers, acts as ombudsman for the immigration advice sector and prosecutes advisers who illegally provide immigration advice or services.

CPD is compulsory for all OISC regulated advisers. Implementation of CPD will encourage and assist OISC regulated advisers to widen their professional skills, thereby raising standards.

Commissioner Suzanne McCarthy said: "OISC regulated advisers, like other professionals, need to continue learning as they must remain aware of developments and keep up-to-date in a sector where rules and legislation frequently change. They need to be alert to best practice and ways in which they can improve the service they provide to their clients and to run their businesses effectively."

The OISC has engaged the services of The Open University (OU) which has developed and will manage an on-line learning platform. The OU is facilitating on-line courses which will be available for free to all regulated advisers. Advisers can also access some of the OU's own management and personal development on-line courses.

Charles Edwards, Director of the OU's Centre for Professional Learning and Development, said: "The Open University is delighted to be working with the OISC to help them extend and update the skills and knowledge of advisers whose work is so important. I'm pleased we're able to demonstrate flexibility, responsiveness and cost-effectiveness in applying our multi-media learning service capabilities to help another organisation meet its very specific development needs."

OISC regulated advisers can also gain CPD hours by attending events and completing relevant courses such as those provided by such bodies as the Law Society.

Notes to the Editor:

  1. The Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) is an independent public body set up under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
  2. Since 30 April 2001 it has been a criminal offence for an adviser to provide immigration advice or services unless their organisation:
    • has registered with the OISC;
    • has been exempted from registration by the OISC or ministerial order; or is otherwise qualified under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
  3. The OISC is responsible for ensuring that all immigration advisers fulfil the requirements of good practice. The OISC is committed to the elimination of unscrupulous advisers and the fair and thorough investigation of complaints. While it does not regulate solicitors, it does take complaints against solicitors.
  4. For more information on The Open University's CPD programmes, visit: www.open.ac.uk/cpd
  5. For more information contact David Ward, Head of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement at the OISC, on 020 7211 1609.
  6. For more information on The Open University, contact Kath Hardwick, Media Relations Officer, on 01908 655026 or k.hardwick@open.ac.uk