East Sussex leads way with new registration qualification

From left: Sue Shewell (ESCC principal registration officer), Karen Conquest (ESCC assessing officer), Andrew Dent (deputy registrar general for England and Wales), Cathy Manson, Steve Quayle (ESCC registration service manager), Anna GoddardTWO registration officers from East Sussex are among the first in the country to complete a new national qualification.

Cathy Manson and Anna Goddard, from the East Sussex Registration Service, achieved the new National Qualification for Registration Officers, aimed at raising standards in the profession.

The pair, whose duties include registering births, deaths and marriages, were part of a pilot group of 20 officers to complete the qualification, which is now being rolled out nationally.

Cathy, from Nutley, and Anna, from Mayfield, completed a 12-month assessment in which they successfully demonstrated they met the exacting standards of the qualification board.

Cathy, who works at Crowborough Register Office, said: “I hadn’t studied anything for years so it was difficult to start with but I really enjoyed it. We were lucky in that we were allowed the time to fit the qualification around our normal duties.

“Even though I’ve been a registration officer for 13 years, it covers all the different aspects of the job so it will definitely help me in my role.”

By the end of their assessment, Cathy and Anna produced a portfolio demonstrating their competence in areas including delivering registration services, customer care, understanding local government and using information technology.

Anna, also based at Crowborough, said: “As someone who is relatively new to registration, the qualification has really helped me to get a breadth and depth of knowledge that would have taken me many years of practical experience otherwise.

“It is well worth doing for anyone who wants to pursue a long-term career in this field.”

Cathy and Anna received their certificates from Andrew Dent, deputy registrar general for England and Wales, at a ceremony at Merton Register Office, in south London.

Cllr Chris Dowling, East Sussex County Council lead member for community services, said: “We are very proud of the achievements of Cathy and Anna, who have proved they have the ability, dedication and professionalism to provide an excellent service to people in East Sussex.”