| Candidate Support Officers (CSOs)
What is the CSO network?
The CSO network is an informal network of volunteers in all regions of the UK, who have been trained by experienced members of the Career Development Group.
The CSOs can advise and support candidates who are working towards one of the qualifications in the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP) 'Framework of Qualifications': Certification, Chartership or Chartership Revalidation.
The Career Development Group receives money from the CILIP to support the work of the Candidate Support Officers. Even if you are not a member of the Career Development Group you can contact your local CSO for free support and advice.
Who can be an CSO?
There are three main criteria that must be fulfilled to act as a CSO. The individual must be:
- 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)
- A member of the Career Development Group
- A member of the committee of the local Division of the Career Development Group
What does your CSO do?
Candidate Support Officers have two main responsibilities: to organise local events which support the Framework of Qualifications such as “Preparing for Chartership” courses, and to offer support to candidates.
How can my CSO help me?
Candidates may seek a CSO’s assistance because they are experiencing problems with the process and don’t fully understand what is required of them. They may feel overwhelmed with the task and need to talk to someone who is impartial, and who has personal experience and knowledge of the process themselves.
Candidates may contact a CSO for a whole variety of reasons, such as advice on:
1. finding a mentor
2. creating a personal and professional development plan (PPDP)
3. changing employer half way through the Chartership process
4. deciding what material to include
5. getting started and motivated
6. 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. They will not know if a submission will be successful when it reaches the CILIP Assessment Board but they can give advice and encouragement. 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.
Carol Barker
Honorary Learning Co-ordinator
Revised March 2008 | 
