Candidate support officer network
The Candidate Support Officer (CSO) Network is an informal network of volunteers who have been trained by experienced members of the Career Development Group.
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What is the CSO network?
The CSO network:
- is an informal network of volunteers in the UK
- volunteers have been trained by experienced members of the Career Development Group
The CSOs can advise and support candidates who are working towards:
- Certification
- Chartership
- Revalidation
Non- CDG members can contact their local CSO
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Who can be a CSO?
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A current member of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) and who must also be Chartered (in order to support Chartership or Revalidation candidates)
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A member of the Career Development Group
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A member of the committee of the local Division of the Career Development Group
Anyone interested in becoming a CSO should contact:
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What does your CSO do?
CSOs have two main responsibilities:
- organise local events which support the Framework of Qualifications such as “Preparing for Chartership” courses, Portfolio building workshops
- offer support to candidates
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How can my CSO help me?
Candidates may seek a CSO’s assistance if they:
- experience problems with the process
- don’t fully understand what is required
- feel overwhelmed with the task
- need to talk to someone who is impartial
- need to talk to someone who has personal experience and knowledge of the process themselves
Candidates may contact a CSO for advice on:
- finding a mentor
- creating a personal and professional development plan (PPDP)
- changing employer half way through the Chartership process
- deciding what material to include
- getting started and motivated
- borrowing copies of successful submissions by past candidates
The advice that the CSO gives to each candidate will be to the best of their knowledge, and it comes from their training and experience in their role.
CSOs will not know if a submission will be successful when it reaches the CILIP Assessment Board but they can give advice and encouragement.
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Any other questions?
If you have any questions about the Framework of Qualifications, please contact your local CSO.
If they cannot answer the question, they will pass you onto someone who can.
Honorary Learning Co-ordinator