The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) has rolled out its Inclusive Financial Planning Qualification, which is going to be offered to and piloted exclusively by St James’s Place (SJP).
The Level 6 (Advanced) qualification will focus on understanding the needs of vulnerable clients and how to address them.
Both the CII and SJP have been working on the programme for over two years.
“We’re very proud to be able to offer this new qualification to our partners, and firmly believe that ensuring vulnerable clients have access to the highest levels of knowledge and expertise available will generate a positive impact on client experience and quality of service overall,” said Edward Grant, divisional director for professional development at SJP.
“We have already had significant interest in the qualification from across the partnership and hope this will increase now it has officially launched.”
Special requirements
The CII programme will focus on key areas considered to be fundamental when dealing with vulnerable clients.
It will cover:
- specialist knowledge of the issues affecting the provision of financial advice to vulnerable clients;
- analysis of vulnerable clients’ needs in respect of investments, pensions and protection;
- the setting and oversight of systems and controls that enable an SJP practice to deliver fair outcomes to vulnerable customers; and,
- key elements and implementation of a corporate responsibility policy and establishing an appropriate business strategy, including partnering arrangements with charities and others.
The qualification would also allow SJP partners and financial advisers achieve chartered status.
Currently, only 21% of partners have reached this and the wealth manager intends to increase the number to 25% by 2020.
The programme is going to be piloted through SJP over the next two years and it will be worth 30 advanced diploma credits.
