The Chartered Insurance Institute has given accreditation to the Development Framework, created by St James’s Place to support its adviser back office.
The framework is part of the sector’s plan for ongoing learning via externally validated CPD standards.
It serves to “upskill” Practice Support Specialists (PSS) through technical, business, systems and process training, and is “designed to provide a mark of quality and specialist expertise for staff”.
Steve Jenkins, CII development director, said: “St. James’s Place has adopted a proactive approach to promoting professional standards right across its partnership.
“It is important that existing and prospective clients have trust in their adviser and the organisations that they work with”.
Details
The framework is delivered through a blended approach of face-to-face, e-learning, webinars, audio presentations and reading packages.
PSS can also choose to recognise their professional development by taking an Accreditation – a quality mark of competence and formal recognition by the CII of high-quality learning. These have been designed and created in line with specific PSS roles.
Hugh Morton, executive director PSS at St. James’s Place, said: “We are committed to ensuring that people across the St. James’s Place Partnership have access to quality training, allowing them to improve their working experience and maintain high professional standards.
“We acknowledge the need for solid infrastructure in an age when our partners are having to deal with more complex financial solutions and increased regulation.
“The new framework will be an essential tool to support the firms that do not always have the resources to meet this challenge alone, while enabling continuing professional development of all staff.
“We believe the framework and accreditation will also generate a positive impact on client experience and quality of service by ensuring access to the highest levels of knowledge and expertise available.”
